Megan heard a hushed voice call out from the trees. It sounded like a child. When she tried to ignore it, the voice grew louder. Finally, a wicked cackle split the relative silence. They all jumped in their saddles. The horses started and almost broke into a gallup. Megan stroked her mare's sleek neck, calming the horse's quickened breathing. Scanning the trees revealed nothing of the mysterious voice's origin.

"I take it that's what you were warning us about." Dallen glanced around frantically.

"One of many things, yes." Ramon urged the group forward once more.

The path grew more shadowed as they proceeded and strange noises rippled through the woods. The leaves of the trees would rustle without a breeze and their thick, heavy bows would creak ominously. The occasional voice calling out to them reminded the group of the danger.

"We're almost there." Ramon pulled his horse up next to Megan's. "It's just around this next bend."

Sure enough, as they rounded the corner a low cave mouth came into view. Dismounting, Dallen and Shana took hold of the horses and they all entered the dark cave. After only a few feet, Dallen stayed back with Shana and their mounts while Megan progressed with Ramon.

"The less people we bring with us the better." He explained. "Our host is not overly fond of uninvited guests."

The cave stretched on like a tunnel, continually sloping down. Eventually, they reached a cavernous chamber lit by white stones embedded in the wall. Near the center of the room, a massive creature lay curled up like a cat. It's thick brown fur was striped like a tiger and it's huge paws were crossed in front of its face. As they approached, it opened one of its large yellow eyes. It raised its head to inspect its visitors, its face uncannily humanoid. Short branching antlers spread out from the top of its head near the cat-like ears.

Yawning, its giant teeth became visible, like those of a shark. "Who dares enter my presence unannounced?" It spoke as if it were incredibly bored.

"Ramon, the Caretaker, and Megan, an outsider, seeking your aid." He gave a brief and clumsy bow.

Megan followed suit.

"And what is SO important that you saw it fit to interrupt my summer hibernation?" It eyed Megan suspiciously. "What makes you think I should help you?"

Megan's mouth went dry. This creature was truly immense. It could easily kill them if it wanted to. "I heard that you have incredible healing powers." She paused.

"And?" It sounded irritated.

"My brother is catatonic. I've been scouring the world to find someone who can help him. I'm out of leads. You're my last chance." Megan hung her head and tried not to cry. This was the first time she had admitted out loud how impossible her situation had become. She had been secretly holding out hope that another lead would come. None did.

"You are truly desperate. I can see that." The huge cat examined her for a long while. "Very well. I will help you."

"Really?!" Megan hardly dared to hope.

"Just tell me what happened and I'll undo it."

Megan's heart sank. "The problem is, we don't know what happened. He just showed up one day and wouldn't respond to anything."

"So you can't tell me what is causing his ailment?" The creature huffed when Megan nodded. "Of course you can't. Just my luck that the one potential client can't even tell me the cause." It composed itself. "I'm sorry. But if you can't give me a cause, then I'm afraid I can't help you. I need to know how it happened in order to reverse it."

Megan took a long shaky breath and braced herself against the cave wall as the room spun around her. She could feel warm tears rolling down her cheeks. This couldn't be happening. A solution had been so close and then it was gone, ripped away by her own ignorance. Why hadn't she gone with Warren that day? Maybe if she had none of this would have happened.

Ramon guided her out of the cavern and up the path to the horses waiting for them at the entrance. They rode in silence back to the main house, not even the sentient trees made a sound, as if they knew what had happened.

Megan flopped onto the bed in her room at the main house and let her tears soak her pillow. She didn't care. The creature in the Wakeful Woods had been her last shot, her last hope, and now it was over. She didn't have anywhere else to go, no more leads to follow. She was just done. She would never get her brother back.