Crossroads, Chapter 8

They were being stalked. Xena could feel the eyes following her every move as she and her friends strode through the swamp.

Her tension was palpable to the point that Mitch, Gabrielle, and Kat could feel it radiating from her.

"It's close." Kat whispered in a monotone.

Xena didn't reply, but continued in her pursuit of the monster, until Gabrielle's piercing scream echoed around them.

"Gabrielle!"

Xena spun about to find her friend, but mysteriously, she had disappeared without a trace.

"Nooooo!"

Xena started to charge back the way they had come, when Mitch grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Xena! Stop! You'll never find her if you don't think this through."

Suddenly, they both realized that Kat was missing as well.

"Kat? Kat!" Mitch screamed, but no answering cry could be heard.

"She must have went after Gabrielle." Mitch moaned mournfully.

Xena's eyes glittered dangerously as she drew her sword and started searching for tracks.

"Then we'll just have to find them."