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Max shifted his body in the stretcher and held on to the sides to keep from bouncing too much, as the dwarfs made their way toward Busby Stoop. Had they arrived already? He didn't want to open his eyes just yet. It had been so long since he'd been able to relax and he didn't want to let go of it.
But, the stretcher had become cold and hard. There was no movement or sound. Where had everyone gone? Curiosity got the better of him. He opened his eyes and slowly lifted his head. There was no tightness or pain in his shoulder. Thick, milky-white mist surrounded him on all sides. Dark shapes swayed in the distance. It was so quiet, his ears began to ring.
The Shadowlands.
“Oh, no,” he muttered. “How did I get here?”
His parents warned him not to return, but here he was. What would happe
