She found some dehydrated beef in her pack and set out toward the stream for water, harvesting berries along the way.
Joshua was pacing the meeting place when she returned, unaware of her approach. She considered sneaking up on him, yet something about his demeanor quashed the notion. When he noticed her, he rushed forward and grabbed her arms. "There has been an attack. We have to go back."
"Attack, where? Who?"
Tears glistened on Joshua's lids with his answer, "At the encampment."
Bile rose in Elisabeth's throat, choking back her voice. She forced him to look at her and rasped, "Victor?"
He nodded.
Elisabeth was unable to utter the question that begged an answer. She bellowed a guttural moan and began to run at a full sprint, not pausing in physicality or thought for a second. The driving force to find her family was her only focus. The prospect of what awaited, too unbearable to entertain.
She burst into the family tent and nearly collapsed from the intense exertion. The only occupants were Artemis, Lucas and Raff. They sat at a table in solemn conversation. The men stood to assist Elisabeth. She waved them off and searched Raff's eyes. "Where's Emily?"
He offered no words, simply shook his head.
"My grandparents?"
Again, a head shake preserved the silence.
An otherworldly howl, unbefitting her feminine frame, caused all three men to wince beneath her grief. Elisabeth tumbled to the ground in an unconscious heap.