Chapter 32

Chapter 32
THE MAN FROM THE SKY

Point of View: Luna Hart

The guy from the helicopter lands in the clearing with his rifle aimed directly at us, and my heart thumps loudly in my chest. Only his eyes, which are icy and piercing like a wolf's, are visible through the black mask covering his face. With a very strong grip, my mother drags me after her. Mr. Cole, who is still smoking after firing at Aunt Clara, is standing in front with his pistol trembling in his hands. As we raced, Mia and Clara's cries faded, somewhere in the forests behind us. I feel like a boulder is lodged in my stomach as it twists. After telling my mother and Mr. Cole everything, I, Luna Hart, the missing girl from Hart Global, have come clean about my secret. However, Clara, my dad's other sister, is the "real boss" after us when Mia betrayed me. I'm not sure whether this guy is with them or someone else, but he's here now, falling out of the sky.

"Stow the gun!" The guy shouts in a harsh, menacing voice. He has a large rifle aimed at Mr. Cole's chest.

With stern eyes, Mr. Cole slowly lowers his rifle. His voice is strong and solid as he says, "Who are you?"

The guy approaches without responding, his boots crunching the leaves. With a quick word in my ear, my mother shoves me in the direction of the woods. "Luna, run. Go into hiding.

My feet are stuck, and I shake my head. "No, I'm staying with you," I replied in a tremulous murmur. She nods, keeping me close even though her eyes are moist.

Mr. Cole raises his hands and moves forward. "Release them," he says. "Take me instead."

The guy lets out a brief, cruel chuckle. He swings his rifle at me and declares, "You're not the prize." "She is."

My heart stops. Me? Why? The metal of my locket feels chilly on my hand as I grip it. It weighs on me, my mother, and Ms. Linda in the image. The man's mask conceals his face as he makes another stride, but his gaze meets mine. My mom's arm is tight around me as I back up.

The air is split by a loud crack, and the guy loses his pistol as he falls. Mr. Cole rolls in the ground as he dives for it. With branches scratching my face, my mother drags me into the forest. She says, "Go!" and shoves me forward.

My legs are burning as we run, and I'm breathing quickly. Mr. Cole shouts as shots reverberate behind us. I turn to see him slugging the guy with his fists flying. My mother drags me further into the dark, dense jungle. "Go on," she replies, breathing heavily.

I nod, tears in my eyes. "How is Mr. Cole doing?" I inquire in a low voice.

She adds, "He'll catch up," but her expression is anxious.

Our gasps are loud as we crouch behind a large boulder. Above, the sound of the helicopter's blades illuminates the treetops. The thought of Mr. Cole battling by himself makes my stomach ache. I can still see Mia's cruel smirk and her hurtful remarks about family. Clara is in charge, but who is this guy?

I hold my breath as I hear close footsteps crunching. With wide eyes, my mother gently covers my lips. Mia, not the guy, casts a shadow as it passes. Her face is scraped, and her hair is untidy. She's gazing around while carrying a stick. She screams out, "Luna!" in a kind but cruel tone. "Get out!"

I cry as I shake my head. I remain still as my mother's grasp tightens. With her stick dragging in the ground, Mia walks by. The light from the helicopter swings closer, glaring through the foliage, yet my heart slows a bit.

My mother pulls me up and murmurs, "We have to move." My socks are soaked from the dirt as we slink through the woods. There are no more cries or gunshots in the jungle. Mr. Cole, where are you?

When we arrive at a creek, the water gleams in the moonlight. My mother splashes her face while kneeling. "This will be followed," she adds. "It will conceal our footprints."

With unsteady legs, I nod. The water is chilly on my feet as we stroll by the creek. The photo inside my locket makes me think of my mother's grin when I was a child, and it bounces. I'd want that to return. I want to be safe.

I can breathe more easily when the sound of the aircraft subsides. My mother's fingers are now warm as she grips my hand. "We're all right," she adds quietly.

My stomach continues to churn even after I nod. Mia is out there. Clara as well. as well as the armed guy. We stroll for a while as the brook gurgles next to us. Even though my legs ache, I continue. My mother pauses, gazing at a little cavern carved out of the rocks. She pulls me inside and says, "We'll rest here."

It smells like moist earth, and the cave is gloomy. My mother puts her arm around me while we sit on the ground. I say in a low voice, "Tell me about the woman." "Clara."

My mother's expression darkens, her eyes averted. She says, "She's your dad's sister." She wanted Hart Global, but she was once kind. To gain it, she caused harm to others. I kept you hidden from her.

My throat tightens as I nod. "Is she actually in charge?"

My mother nods slowly. "I believe so. However, Mia I don't get it.

With a sorrowful heart, I glance down. I laughed and shared snacks with my buddy Mia. She's with Clara now. "What made her do it?" My voice cracks as I ask.

My mother gives me a closer embrace. According to her, "some people change." "But we're with each other."

I lean on her and nod. The stream outside is gentle, and the cave is silent. My body is exhausted, so I shut my eyes. A twig snapping outside causes my eyelids to bolt open as sleep tugs at me.

My mother's hand is over my lips once again as she freezes. Slow, cautious footsteps crunch. The entrance to the cave is filled with a towering, gloomy shadow. My heart is pounding. It's neither Clara nor Mia. It's the guy from the helicopter, his face rough with scars, his mask gone.

He murmurs in a hushed voice, "Luna." "It's difficult to find you."

My mother pushes me behind her as she stands. "Remain away," she commands in a firm voice.

He takes a step closer and chuckles. "You can't keep her safe," he asserts. "She is wanted by the boss."

With trembling palms, I back up. My mother picks up a rock and holds it aloft. She shouts, "Go!" at him.

Pulling a rope from his belt, he shakes his head. "Stop running."

My voice reverberates throughout the cave as I shout. My mother strikes his arm with the stones. With a groan, he lets go of the rope. We dash to the door, my legs shaky. He yanks my mother back by grabbing her hair. "Go, Luna!" she screams, straining.

My heart is hurting, and I'm crying while I run. As I plunge in the chilly creek, the forest is dark. Behind me, I hear my mother scream, and then there's stillness. With my eyes watering and my breath coming quickly, I shelter behind a tree.

Again, there are heavy, quick footsteps. I get a glimpse of my mother being dragged by the guy, her body limp. My heart stops. His eyes examine the surroundings. I grip my locket tightly while I hold my breath.

Then there was a new sound—the crunching of tires on a neighboring road. Mia's voice yells, "She's close!" as a vehicle door bangs. Track her down!

The guy turns and pulls my mother toward the direction of the noise. Despite my want to scream, I remain silent, my body trembling. A tall, slender figure that resembles a lady emerges from the woods. In the moonlight, Clara's grin is piercing.

She screams out, "Luna," in a lovely but frightful voice. "Go see your aunt."

My foot slips on a rock and I back up. In the silence, it rolls loudly. Clara's head jerks in my direction, her gaze meeting mine. A new sound—a harsh,
animal-like growl—comes from the shadows behind her as she takes a step closer.