18. Danger

"Are you ready for some ball?" Becky asked, her eyes bright with eager energy.

Freen swatted her arm to stop the teasing, her lips curling into a reluctant smile. Becky chuckled and, after messing up Freen's hair, bounded off after the others.

"Shall we go down?" Rawe asked softly, and Freen nodded. They began walking, with Rawe keeping a few feet behind, still cautious not to startle her. Freen matched her pace.

"You don't play with them?" Freen asked shyly.

"No, I prefer to referee—keeps them honest," Rawe explained with a gentle smile.

"Do they cheat?" Freen asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Oh yes. You should hear the arguments. It sounds like they were raised by wolves."

Freen laughed, surprised. "You sound like my mom."

Rawe chuckled. "I think of them as my children. I never got over my mothering instincts. Did Becky tell you I lost a child?"

"No," Freen whispered, taken aback.

"Yes," Rawe's voice softened. "My first and only baby died just days after birth. It broke my heart—that's why I jumped off the cliff."

"Becky just said you fell," Freen stammered, her voice laced with shock.

"Always the gentlewoman," Rawe smiled warmly. "I'm glad Becky has found you."

"You don't mind that I'm... wrong for her?" Freen asked, her voice small.

"No. You're what she wants. It'll work out, somehow," Rawe reassured her, though worry shadowed her features.

By the time they reached the field, teams were already forming. Becky stood in left field, Robert was between first and second base, and Irin held the ball on the pitcher's mound. Billy was at home plate, flanked by Richie and Song catching behind him.

"Would you like to referee this time?" Rawe asked, her voice soft.

Freen smiled. "Nope, I'm good with just watching."

The game started, and Freen was relieved she stayed on the sidelines. The Armstrongs moved with superhuman speed, and the entire game was a blur to Freen. Her human eyes struggled to keep up.

Soon, she noticed that Billy hit the hardest, while Becky was the fastest among them. She also realized why they waited for thunderstorms to play.

Becky approached her side, beaming. "Having fun?"

"You've ruined regular baseball for me forever," Freen teased, a playful grin crossing her lips.

Just then, Robert was up to bat, Becky catching, when Irin suddenly gasped. Freen's eyes snapped to Becky, and she saw Becky's head snap up to meet Irin's gaze. There was an unspoken exchange between them. Before anyone could ask what was wrong, Becky was by Irin's side, concern flashing in her eyes.

"Irin?" Rawe asked, her voice tense.

"I didn't see—I couldn't tell," Irin whispered, frantic, her gaze darting to Freen. "They're moving much quicker than I thought."

"What changed?" Song asked, brows furrowing.

"They heard us playing, and it changed their path," Irin explained, guilt lacing her tone as her eyes flickered nervously toward Freen.

"How soon?" Robert asked, his calm voice steady, but his eyes narrowing with concentration.

"Less than five minutes. They're running—they want to play," Becky muttered, her expression darkening.

"Can you make it?" Robert questioned, his gaze now fixed on Freen, his concern evident.

"No. I'd have to carry her to avoid them... finding out..." Becky's voice trailed off, her frustration palpable.

"Besides, the last thing we need is them catching the scent and starting a hunt. That could cause unforeseen problems," Becky added, her tone heavy with tension.

"How many?" Billy asked, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on Irin.

"Three," she answered tersely.

"Three!" Billy scoffed, his usual calm replaced by a sharp edge in his voice. "Let them come." His muscles flexed, his strength evident.

For a brief moment, Robert paused, eyes flicking between his team, before he made a decision.

"Let's continue the game," Robert said coolly, his voice calm and authoritative. "Irin said they were just curious."

Freen caught every word, but her brow furrowed in worry. Something didn't feel right.

Becky turned to Rawe. "You catch," she said firmly, stepping between Freen and the game. Her protective nature was clear.

The others returned to the field, warily scanning the dark forest. Irin and Rawe seemed to position themselves around Freen, keeping her safe.

Freen's voice trembled slightly. "They're coming, aren't they?"

"Yes," Becky said softly, her voice steady but betraying her concern. "Stay very still. Don't move from my side, please."

Becky gently pulled Freen's long hair forward, hiding her face.

"That won't help," Irin murmured. "I could smell her across the field."

"I know." Becky's frustration was barely contained, her voice thick with tension. Robert stood at the makeshift home plate, while the others joined the game half-heartedly.

Freen glanced at Becky. "What did Rawe ask you?" she whispered, her gaze flickering between Becky's golden eyes and the others.

Becky hesitated, then whispered back, "Whether they were thirsty."

The seconds ticked by, the game continuing in a distracted manner. No one dared hit the ball harder than a bunt. Billy, Song, and Richie hovered in the infield, watching the forest with sharp eyes. Becky paid no attention to the game at all, her focus fixed on the woods.

"I'm sorry, Freen," Becky whispered fiercely, her golden eyes alight with a fire. "It was stupid, irresponsible, to expose you like this. I'm so sorry."

Freen noticed Becky's breath stop, her attention snapping to the right field. Becky took a half step forward, positioning herself between Freen and what was coming. Robert, Billy, and the others all turned in the same direction, their eyes focused, listening to the sounds approaching through the forest. Closer and closer now.

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