I don’t know yet. When I think of it, I’ll tell you.
We continued to run. And the wendigos continued to gain. They were clearly supernatural now, with the essence of the necromancer inside them. I took a peek over my shoulder. They looked disheveled, their faces smudged with dirt and their clothes ratty. I think they were cemetery workers. One guy looks like he could be a grave digger. Do they even have those anymore?
They’ve been turned recently, Rourke agreed.
Rourke turned and followed a path over another hill. At the top we caught sight of the other edge of the cemetery. It was at least a hundred yards away. Rourke, we have to make a decision. They’re gaining on us. I’m not sure we’ll make the other side, and when we do, there’s a wall of ghouls to contend with. A line of ghouls was emerging from out of the woods on the far end. They weren’t moving very fast and were likely just going to sit and wait for us to be dumb enough to try and get through them.
We have to fight the wendigos. They’re the biggest threat, Rourke said. We keep running until they’re almost on us, then we turn and attack. Use your claws and slash right through their necks. It’s risky, but we have no other choice. But whatever happens, don’t let them bite you!
That was easier said than done, especially if that’s what Enid thought we’d do. I promised Tyler I’d get in touch with him if things went south, I panted as we continued running. This is pretty far south. Ray can be here in a matter of minutes and Tyler will follow quickly. If Ray shows up, we can use him as a distraction, and because he can fly, maybe he’ll be safer?
Go ahead and sound the alarm, and then I want you to get ready to fight.
Tyler! I called. We’re in trouble! Not only ghouls, but we’re also being chased by wendigos. Get here as soon as you can.
We’re on it, my brother answered immediately. We guessed it would get bad. We have your scent. Ray will be there soon.
Tyler, you have to be very cautious. You can’t risk getting bit. Contact me before you hit the area and I’ll give you the plan.
Got it.
I tuned him out and focused on our situation. Then I had a thought. Rourke, my gut is we have to make change happen in a big way right now. If we don’t, we’re going to become wendigos.
We just tried that and it didn’t work! he answered.
No, we were still moving forward in the same way, just putting our minds on something else. I’m talking about doing something completely unexpected.
Like what? I could tell by his tone he was leery of my plan already.
I don’t know, but it has to be out of character—something shocking. I leapt over a tall grave marker and spotted something in the distance. It gave me an idea. This way. I careened to the right, not giving him a choice. Rourke followed, staying close to my flank.
Where are we going? He nudged closer.
I saw some mausoleums. Two, side by side. We’re going to jump on top of them and hide.
Jessica, they will see us do that. Even if we aren’t doing something predictable, like hiding, they can follow us by sight.
Not if we can reach the buildings before the wendigos see us, and the key word was “hide.”
I still don’t get it.
Follow me and find out, I said as I made a sharp turn. I raced downhill over the terrain, thanking my lucky stars these mausoleums were over the next hill. I’d just gotten a glimpse of their roofs at the right time. If we ran fast enough, we could get there before the wendigos rounded the incline behind us, giving us a few precious seconds where the hill would obstruct their line of sight.
This is crazy. These guys are gaining on us and they can jump just as high as we can.
I huffed. I’m trying to do something unexpected, and having you not on board is actually perfect. Just follow me and try to stop overthinking it. I just need to make sure they can’t see us for a few seconds. Look behind us and watch. Let me know when we duck out of their line of vision. I raced toward our goal. Once we rounded the top of the next hill, I could see the mausoleums clearly. They each had flat roofs and large columns and a small peak in front, which would give us something we could crouch behind.
Okay, we have about four seconds before they come over the top of the last hill, Rourke called.
Perfect. I sprinted the last few yards and leapt, stretching my body as far as I could, landing on the roof of the closest building. The mausoleums were at least fifteen feet high. Rourke made a move to follow me but I yelled, Jump on top of the other one!
Rourke swerved at the last minute and did as I asked but was snorting his dislike as he went.
Now duck down, I said. Flatten yourself out so you’re smaller.
He did it as best he could and then turned his big tawny head toward me. Jessica, this is the craziest thing you’ve ever had us do so far.
No, it’s the most brilliant, and you want to know why?
If cats could look sarcastic, he was achieving it. I can’t wait to find out. Why?