Lyra's POV
I stared at the empty spot where the deer had once been, my heart slowly sinking.
“You’re sure this is where you dropped it?” I asked, scanning the clearing again.
Kate didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Right here. I made a mental note of that tree stump behind it,” she pointed. “I even placed a rock near the leg to keep it from sliding.”
"And you're sure Kira didn't touch it, perhaps kept it from plain sight. Maybe we should wait till she comes back."
Kate nodded her head dismissively, "No, we all left for the river together and It was still here when we were leaving. And Kira didn't come this direction. So it wasn't her."
I crouched, brushing my hand against the soft soil. No blood. No drag marks. No prints. Nothing. Just disturbed leaves that told half a story and left out the mos
