Chapter 42: 41: The confrontation

"What are they doing here? Quick, we need to hide” Maria felt the push but not before he eyes met a familiar pair of green ones.

Howl was looking right in their direction with a frown on her face and Maria felt her heart in her throat.

Were they going to be exposed?

“We need to start heading back. It is clear that we cannot take this way out anymore” Nao hissed in a low voice and her anger evident in her voice. Maria could do nothing but nod along.

The bush was not dense enough to hide them fully and Maria felt her heart stop when Princess Neah turned to face their direction as well.

“Is there something in that direction? You have been starting there for a while now” Neah’s clear voice reached the pair and Maria felt longing course through herself. She wanted to leap out and greet her friend.