Zala's POV
I was running through the woods, my little legs pumping as fast as they could. The trees looked all scary and twisted, like in those creepy cartoons King sometimes watched when he thought I wasn't looking.
"Mom!" I called out, my voice sounding small and scared. "Mom, where are you?"
A twig snapped behind me, and I spun around. My heart was going boom-boom-boom so loud I thought it might jump right out of my chest.
"Hello?" I whispered, hugging myself tight. "Is anyone there?"
Suddenly, I heard a scream. It sounded just like Mom's voice, and it made my tummy feel all cold and squiggly.
"Mom!" I yelled, running towards the sound. "I'm coming!"
I burst into a clearing, and there she was. Mom was on the ground, and a big scary shadow was standing over her. It had glowing re
