The path opened into a small clearing that was almost entirely taken up by a large gray boulder. Angry slashes had been cut into the face of the rock, resembling hieroglyphics. The stone was surrounded by a large wooden platform.

Anamae ignored the signs that told visitors to stay off the boulder. She walked straight to it, her fingers grazing the surface of the stone. Tracing the carved lines, she followed a long line that pointed to a narrow path. She studied the woods as if she had seen something there, taking a tentative step in that direction.

“That’s close enough,” said a boy’s voice.

I sucked in a deep breath, shocked to see another person there. I’d never heard him coming.

“Are you James?” Anamae asked.

The boy laughed. “Not even close.” He moved closer to me. I was surprised by the lack of fear I felt about having this stranger beside me. He towered over me, while his eyes asked non-verbal questions.

“Back off,” Anamae said, bristling.

The boy turned away from me to lumber toward her. At the last second, he extended his hand. Unfortunately, his timing was way off. Anamae had already moved toward him. When she was close enough, she dropped him like a sack of bricks when her knee connected with his groin.

The boy fell to the ground, moaning. “Why’d you do that?”

Anamae darted around him, coming to stand beside me.

“Let’s go,” she said, pulling my arm.

Compassion flooded through me as I stared at the boy. He was one of the good guys. I wasn’t sure how I knew this, but I was positive of it. “Are you all right?” I asked, going to him.

After he struggled to his feet, he draped his massive arm around my shoulder, nearly knocking me to the ground.

“Are you insane? Get away from him,” Anamae screamed.

I ignored her, helping him limp over to the platform. Placing his hands on the edge of the decking, he leaned forward and sucked in huge gulps of air, face white.

Anamae took baby steps toward us. When she was close enough, she grabbed my hand and locked our fingers together.

“That’s a heck of a greeting you’ve got there,” the boy said. He straightened, and I was again impressed by the sheer size of him. “Name’s Knox.” He extended a hand to Anamae.

Uncertainly, she stared at him. She wouldn’t move close enough to shake his hand. I was relieved that also kept her far enough away that she couldn’t cause him more injury.

“I’m Anamae,” she said, jerking her thumb in my direction. “She’s Leath.”

“Leath and I met at school yesterday,” Knox said. “In the guidance office.”

His words rolled out around my mind, and the fog partially lifted. I did know this boy, but it wasn’t from school.