Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

“Oh my go d, Abby… could it be?”

Karl’s eyes widen next to me. I crouch down to get a closer look at the dark mushrooms nestled in the dirt

at our feet.

“Yes,” I breathe, reaching out to run my finger along their tops. “This is it. Black truffles.”

This is exactly what we’ve been searching for, but something feels off, discordant in a way that pri cks at

my senses.

Karl crouches down beside me, his fingers gently touching the truffles. “They look genuine. But how is this

even possible? All these truffles growing this far from sunlight? I knew they needed low light, but this…”

Enter title…

His words are mirroring my thoughts exactly. “I don’t think they’re growing naturally,” I murmur, my eyes

scanning the cave, landing on something that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I point

upwards, my finger shaking slightly. “Look.”

Karl’s eyes follow my finger to the ceiling of the cave. Artificial lights hang overhead. They’re turned off

right now, likely to simulate a day/night cycle for the mushrooms that are growing here. That’s why there

are so many mushrooms in this cave; they’re being cultivated.

“Oh, s hit,” Karl whispers, his voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of dread. “You don’t think—”

“That these truffles are being cultivated? By the poachers?” My heart sinks as I complete his thought. I

should have known sooner, but I guess it never occurred to me until just now. “Yeah. I do.”

Karl rises to his feet, his face flushed, his eyes widening. “So should we take any?” he asks, glancing

nervously. “I mean, what if they

a fair question. We came here to pick mushrooms, not to steal from illegal poachers. Not like this,

found out that we stole from their stash, what would be the

are so many, Karl,” I say, struggling with the

easily chalk it up to animals or something. And besides,

ones exploiting

eyes search mine, perhaps seeking reassurance, perhaps questioning the

right and wrong. Finally, he nods. “Okay. Let’s do it. But like you said, we’ll just

just enough so you can practice for the

truffle patch. My satchel lies

the tide

first truffle

hesitant but growing steadier with each truffle

filled, a lump of dark truffles

fasten it, looking up to

enough,” I say, the words sticking in my throat. “Let’s get back to the

we’re caught.”

in silence back the way we came, finally stopping a little while later

sunlight through the loud, rushing water now; it’s much

will

there’s no turning back now. We gather ourselves,

cave’s hidden mouth, leaping through

running, boots slipping on the wet rocks as

guards, three of them, standing in

committee. They’re just as shocked to see us, but that doesn’t stop them from raising

guns.

the air!” one of them barks, his eyes locking onto my mud-streaked satchel and

fingers.

our hands, glancing at each other

stretches thin, and I feel

the moment snaps as

movement, he shoves the guard

on their faces a split second before they react, guns firing into the air

sprint away.