Beth pulled up outside of the gnomes' house and killed the engine. We barely slowed enough to slam the doors closed before we tore into the backyard, no longer caring what the neighbors thought. With some insane ex-Karma running around, and children missing, there was no time to mess around.
We reached the backyard, and Nespos Bunnyhop was there waiting, a crowd of gnomes surrounding him on a tree stump. When he saw us, his eyes twinkled with hope. "They've only been missing for a few hours, we think. There's evidence they were dragged to the woods."
"Don't worry," Beth said, sounding every bit the superhero. "We got this. We'll find them."
I didn't have her confidence, but I raced around the gnomes and headed for the woods behind the house. Beth was right behind me when I slowed to look at boot prints in the mud. Her breath practically warmed my neck when I sped up. I had no reason to believe the young gnomes were anywhere in particular, but my instincts told me otherwise.
"Sh-hould we have Daniel sniff them out?" Beth panted behind me.
I shook my head. Maybe if we didn't find them soon, but not yet. Time ticked away, and my gut churned, warning me something was wrong.
The woods blended together around us.
Sunlight filtered through the rustling leaves, casting a dappled pattern on our path. My feet kept moving as if they knew the way. The sound of Beth's breathing and the crunching of twigs under our feet created a rhythm that spurred me forward.
Finally, we reached the place we'd found the missing gnomes before. At least a dozen small gnomes lay still as they would if there were humans around. A terrible cracking sound erupted across the clearing, and we watched in horror as a tree crashed down, heading straight for the small gnomes.
I lifted a hand, ready to call Karma's powers to help when an older woman appeared, wearing a brown cloak. My mouth hung open, and she caught the tree in her hands like some kind of superhero with super strength.
Her whole face turned red as she tossed the tree to the side, saving the gnomes. As she stood breathing hard, I couldn't help but stare, fear bubbling in my stomach. This was the ex-Karma. This was the older woman who'd caused such chaos in our town. She was the one who wanted my powers.
She also wasn't the Karma who'd given me my powers, which was both a relief, and more upsetting. Who was this woman and why was she here?
I wanted to say something, but my brain refused to work. She looked exactly like the woman in my dreams or visions, except she actually had a face.
Her hair was a mix of gray and brown, tied in a tight bun. Her eyes were two dark pools that pierced right through me. Her skin was wrinkled, and her cheeks were sunken as if she hadn't eaten properly in months. She wore a long brown cloak over a flowery dress.
Unexpectedly, she drew herself taller and her voice rose, filled with venom. "I did a noble act. I put myself in direct danger to protect others. That means you owe me your powers." She paused and curled her upper lip. "As a kindness, I'll give you until the full moon."
She turned as if to go, but then looked over her shoulder. "If you do not give me your powers, be warned. You will be breaking Karma's rules, and you will be punished."
She disappeared into thin air, and as she went, something settled over me, like a blanket drifting over my emotions. I shook it off as I glanced at the young gnomes. They'd been tied to the tree. As my pulse tried to return to normal, I untied them.
My mind mulled the woman's words and everything that had happened over the last few days. Once the gnomes were free, I stared at my friend. "Do you really think she just happened to turn up in time to save the gnomes?"
Beth snorted. "Not a chance. That woman is about as noble as a turd in the woods, and we're going to prove it."