Page 70 of Death and Do-Overs

But…was there anything Imogen could actually do against goblins? She could only bodysnatch people. She could…throw her shoes?

And Levi?—

Levi darted into the cave toward the foot.

The goblins scattered like they were afraid of him, only to circle back around the body and bare their teeth.

“Sssmine,” one of them said.

“Sssmine,” the others echoed.

“We aren’t here for him,” Levi said. “Though I wouldn’t mind retrieving those shoes.”

I was conflicted on whether or not to follow him. My feet stayed rooted in place as he faded into the shadows.

Cackling started in the black depths of the cave, far beyond what we could see.

There were more goblins here, an army of them.

My heart hammered wildly against my ribs. Sweat beaded on my forehead. My mouth went dry.

Shapes materialized from the shadowy recesses, in handfuls, then in tens. Sets of beady eyes glimmered in the blackness beyond. There were countless goblins in here.

No matter how powerful, three potions would never be enough.

The three goblins we’d followed here worked as a team and dragged the body into the shadows.

“I hate to think about what they’re doing back there,” Imogen said. “Maybe they don’t want anything to do with the living. That could be true, right?”

I grabbed her hand and squeezed. We had to make a run for it. Now.

I scanned the cave for Levi, only for him to grab my wrist and pull me toward the exit.

All the air whooshed out of my lungs as we rushed back up.

Something sharp and heavy hit my calf. I hissed and turned back to see.

A rock tumbled off the narrow path, down into the depths of the water.

Goblins gathered at the mouth of the cave, rocks in hand.

We kept running, and we didn’t stop until we’d reached the forest.

I turned to Imogen when we got there, surprised she’d been able to keep up. It could have been the fact that I’d pretty much dragged her and didn’t give her an alternative.

Since she was in the back though, I worried.

I asked, “Did they hit you?”

“Yeah,” she said with a pained smile. She sat down on the ground and looked at the scratched soles of her bare feet. “But I’m not dead or eaten, so it’s a win!”

I patted her shoulder, then gave my exhausted legs a rest and sat down beside her.

“Are you okay?” I asked Levi.

“I’m fine. You?”

I nodded.

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