Part 11 (1/2)

Joey shook his head. ”Yeah, like if someone tried that on you, you couldn't just whip that blade out and slice them apart.”

”It's not that simple,” Annja said. ”If they surprise me, for instance.”

”Like I did?”

”Yeah, like that. Then it becomes much harder to defend yourself. Plus, I'm cold and exhausted. If you leave me here, I'll fall asleep in no time. And that would also make me vulnerable.”

Joey shrugged. ”Suit yourself. But you'd better be able to keep up with me. Your friend's life depends on me moving fast. If I can reach my grandfather's house and get him to spirit track Jenny, then we should be all set.”

”He'll be able to tell us where she is?”

”Almost definitely.”

Annja took a deep breath. ”Then we'd better get going.”

Joey took a moment to orient himself and then set off at a brutal pace. Annja couldn't believe how fast he moved and seemingly without getting tired. He wound his way up hills and down tight trails bordered by steep drop-offs. Streams ran parallel to their progress and, in places, the pines dipped so low that Annja had to duck repeatedly to avoid getting her eyes poked out.

Her breathing came fast and hard and, despite being bone cold earlier, the pace of the trek heated her up until she started to sweat. She could feel the rivulets running down her back and face. Her breath bellowed huge clouds of steam with every exhalation.

But still Joey kept moving.

Annja realized at some point that they weren't on the main trail any longer. Joey was using what looked like animal runs and smaller paths that would have been invisible to her eyes if she'd been here alone. But to Joey they were the back roads and side streets of the wilderness landscape. And he knew how to use them effortlessly.

”You really do know this place, huh?”

Joey nodded. ”I've had the time to explore it, fortunately. But there's still plenty that I haven't seen. It keeps me excited about it.”

Annja kept moving, focusing on the welfare of Jenny to keep her motivated. If they didn't manage to somehow find her, then that would weigh heavy on Annja's conscience. She just hoped that Joey's grandfather would be able to somehow tune in to Jenny's mind.

After a solid hour of travel, Joey drew himself to a halt. He took a deep breath and then seemed to smell the air. Annja came up alongside him and took the moment of rest gratefully.

”I don't think I've ever moved so fast in my life.”

Joey smiled. ”Quite the workout, isn't it?”

”I'll say. Are we close?”

Joey closed his eyes. ”Quiet for just a moment, okay?”

”Okay.”

Annja watched as Joey turned his head slowly from side to side until he locked in on one direction. He stayed quiet for two minutes and then opened his eyes. ”You ready to go again?”

”Uh...sure.”

”Good.” Joey took off, motoring across the valley in front of them. At the base of the next hill, he leaned forward, putting all his weight onto his thighs. Annja copied his lead, and instantly her thighs screamed in protest. She was asking them to bear a lot tonight, but it was all for Jenny.

She had to keep going.

Joey crested the hill and then turned onto a new track. The number of trees seemed to be dwindling and thinning out. Annja felt a change in the air.