Dominic froze.
The barrel pressed against the back of his head felt cold and heavy.
"Don't move," the man behind him said, voice rough.
From the side, another man stepped out of the bushes. His clothes were dirty, his beard uneven. He walked up slowly, pulling out a long, curved knife. Without saying a word, he dragged it across Dominic's cheek, down to his neck. It was shallow, just enough for a drop of blood to run down.
"This one's older," the man said. "He'll bring more money."
The man with the gun pushed Dominic to the ground. "Make a sound," he said quietly, "and your death is going to be slower than you can ever imagine."
Dominic didn't say anything. His pulse thudded against the rope as they tied him to a tree, right beside another tree where four kids had already been bound. While they worked, he kept his hands still but slipped one finger into the knot before it tightened.
They finished and stepped away.
Dominic stayed quiet.
For crying out loud, he thought. I finally get back to Earth and this is the first thing that happens? Not a good welcome back, world.
He scanned the area. The place was small — a rough clearing surrounded by trees. A few bags were piled near a campfire that was almost out.
This is some kind of camp, he thought. They're keeping the kids here. Organ harvesting maybe…?
He glanced at the children. They couldn't have been older than twelve. They were asleep now, their heads resting on their shoulders.
They looked about Ifeoma's age, he thought, his chest tightening. I can't even imagine her in their place. I have to get out. And find a way to help them too.
But not yet. These men were armed, and any mistake would end things fast. He'd wait. Hoping they'd fall asleep soon.
***
Back at home, Diana sat on the couch, the light from the TV flickering across her face. Ifeoma was beside her, leaning against a pillow. They were watching the news.
"Remember you said when they show advert I can put my cartoon?" Ifeoma said suddenly.
"Yes, I remember oh," Diana replied.
On the screen, a reporter spoke: "Authorities report a rise in child disappearances across town. Parents are urged to be cautious and keep their children close."
Diana frowned. "That's horrible."
"Yeah," Ifeoma said softly.
The news cut to commercials. Ifeoma perked up. "Advert!" she shouted.
Diana sighed. "Fine, fine. I promised." She passed the remote over.
As Ifeoma switched the channel, she said, "Did you talk with Brother Dom?"
"I called him," Diana said, "but his phone isn't picking."
Ifeoma frowned. "I hope he's okay."
"He's fine," Diana said quickly. "He's okay."
Then quieter, as if trying to convince herself, she added, "He's okay."
***
We cut to the rift. Back on Zandria.
Lune stood alone at the cave, the glow from the rift painting his face in shifting colors. He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering to himself.
"This guy has to be high," he said. "Who jumps into a rift with zero knowledge of what they're doing?"
He shook his head. "He could've ended up anywhere…like seriously."
He stared at the rift for a long time.
Jumping after him would be stupid, he thought. I don't even know if I'd land in the same place.
He took a step back. "I can only hope he made it home."
He sighed, brushing the dust from his sleeves. "I'll break the news to Master Aro and the others… I wonder what their reactions will be."
Turning around, he started walking out of the cave, forgetting to roll the stone plate back into place.
***
Dominic's head jerked slightly when he heard footsteps. The men were back.
The one with the gun squatted in front of him. "Still awake, boy?"
The one with the knife pointed the blade at Dominic's neck again. "What's keeping you up? Still reeling from the shock? Or are you waiting for us to fall asleep so you can run?"
They both laughed loudly.
Dominic didn't reply.
Two minutes later, they were both snoring.
Dominic stayed still for a while longer, just to be sure. Then, slowly, he shifted his wrists, twisting until his finger caught the loose knot. It gave way with a soft snap.
He slipped the rope off and crouched low. The men were still asleep.
He moved quietly, each step careful, barely breathing. When he got far enough, he turned and started running.
His foot caught something sharp. A branch. It tore through his joggers and into his leg. He bit down hard, holding in a scream, then knelt and tried to pull it out.
The branch wouldn't budge—it was still attached to the thick bush. He tried again, gritting his teeth.
Then he saw a frog hop out of the dark and start heading toward the men.
"Oh, come on," he whispered. He waved his hands low, trying to shoo it away.
The frog stopped, then suddenly hopped faster—straight toward the man with the gun.
Dominic froze. "Aw hell nah, bruh…"
The frog landed on the man's face.
The man jolted awake instantly.
Dominic ripped the branch free, tearing it through his skin, and ran.
The man shouted, "Osita! That boy's escaping!"
The man with the knife jumped up, eyes wide. "Ugo, you moron! You fell asleep?"
They grabbed their weapons and sprinted after Dominic.
Dominic darted between trees, ducking under branches, trying to lose them. Gunshots cracked behind him. He twisted left, right, anything to stay ahead.
A bullet hit his heel. He fell hard, pain burning up his leg.
He tried to stand but stumbled again. The men were closing in, voices growing louder.
He pushed through the pain, forcing himself up, and limped as fast as he could.
Then he saw it — the edge of a cliff up ahead.
"Oh God, no," he muttered, still running.
The ground ended suddenly. He stopped just short of the drop, rocks tumbling into the darkness below.
Behind him, the two men slowed their pace, smirking.
Osita raised his knife. "We warned you, boy."
Dominic looked over the edge, then back at them. He thought about jumping.
He took a small step backward, preparing himself.
Ugo noticed. He lifted the gun. "Don't even—"
The gun went off.
The bullet hit Dominic at the side of his forehead.
He fell.
His body rolled off the cliff and crashed into the stream below.
The splash echoed through the trees.
Osita turned sharply toward Ugo. "You idiot! Do you know how much we would've made off him? How dumb can you be?"
Ugo frowned. "Uh…we can still go get him?"
Osita glared. "Go down a steep drop like that? At night? You go by yourself."
Ugo shrugged. "We'll get him first thing tomorrow morning then."
Osita snapped, "You will get him first thing tomorrow morning."
They turned and walked back toward the camp, arguing quietly.
Down below, the stream moved slowly around Dominic's body. Blood spread into the water, turning it faint red. His white shirt was soaked, clinging to his skin.
A small butterfly fluttered down from the trees and landed softly on his head.
The forest was quiet.
And once again, everything was still.