Shawn broke down, shouting angrily, "Shameless couple! How dare you!"

Felicia's face darkened. Nothing was happening between her and Stephan, but his outburst made it seem otherwise. She glanced at Stephan, surprised by his calm demeanor. Relieved, she was about to find something to quiet Shawn when she heard rustling behind a bush. Shawn exclaimed, "Help! Help—" He was instantly silenced, choking as grass was stuffed into his mouth.

Felicia shone her flashlight toward the noise. "Who's there?"

The grass parted, revealing a small figure. "Felicia! It's me!"

"Lucas?"

Felicia rushed over, sighing in relief at his unharmed condition. "Lucas, where have you been all afternoon?"

Lucas pouted. "I was playing marbles. Then a wicked man tricked me, saying Grandpa was hurt near Hillfort. I ran up the mountain, but he lied! He tried to tie me up. I ran and hid in a tree. He left, but I was too scared to come down. Then I heard that man calling for help. I was hungry and scared, so I came to see what was happening."

Felicia understood. Shawn hadn't revealed Lucas' hiding place because he'd lost him. "Ah, you were so clever and brave!" she said, patting his head. "You must have been scared."

Lucas puffed out his chest. "Not at all! I'm the bravest kid in Alverton!"

Felicia chuckled, then tried calling Charles. The mountain signal was weak, but after several tries, she connected. Charles wept at hearing his grandson's voice and immediately organized a rescue party.

While Lucas spoke, Felicia glanced at Stephan, casually walking away with the puppy. She didn't know why he was there, but he posed no threat.

Lucas' call ended abruptly. He pointed behind Felicia, shouting, "Felicia, watch out!"

A gust of wind announced Shawn's attack. Felicia had been distracted, completely forgetting the seemingly incapacitated Shawn. She shielded Lucas, moving to avoid the blow. She misjudged the ground, her foot landing on moss. She tumbled down the slope, pushing Lucas away at the last moment.