Meg stirred. How long she had been unconscious, she didn't know. It was dark now, so at least some hours had passed. She racked her brain for what had happened.
It came back to her in a rush. The first thing she had to do was find the Tucks. She had to see if they were all right. They had to be all right; they couldn't be hurt, but Winnie...
The thought spurred Meg to run faster. She practically flew over the Eiffel Tower, unafraid of the rocks anymore. The clearing was close, so close. Then Meg stopped. The Tucks' wagon stood there, alone in the dark. It was fully loaded, as if ready to leave, but not a soul was around. The house was smoldering quietly, a mysterious fire having destroyed only parts.
Meg furrowed her brow as she tried to think straight. What had caused the fire? Where were the Tucks? Where was Winnie? She muttered a quick prayer for their safety.
What was she going to do? The answer came to her almost too quickly. She had to find Winnie first. In all probability, she was at home. That is, if she had escaped the man in the yellow suit. She had to trust that things had gone well for Winnie, at least. Otherwise, there was no hope left.
She ran through the forest again, this time toward the Foster mansion. As she passed the spring, she came to a dead stop. Her hand abruptly went to her neck. Miles' ring was gone. Fury boiled within her. The man would pay. He would pay for all the things he had done.
She ran with renewed energy until she reached the road. Then she stopped, picked up a few stones, and picked the lock on the gate. She hurried silently around to the back of the house, to Winnie's room. She threw one of the stones, hoping her aim was good. She waited a few moments, then threw the next. Winnie was immediately at her window.
Meg breathed a sigh of relief. Winnie was all right, at least, if not happy. She was definitely amazed. "Meg! You're alive!"
Meg put a finger to her lips and nodded confusedly. She motioned for Winnie to come down, and she waited silently for the girl. "Come on, Winnie," she whispered under her breath. They had little time. Deep down, Meg knew that something terrible would happen if they were too late in finding the Tucks.
Winnie ran outside in her nightgown and coat. "Meg! Oh, they said you were dead!"
"Well, I'm obviously not, and neither are you, thank God. Now, where are the others?"
Winnie's eyes grew distant, and she looked away. "Jesse and Miles rode off, I don't know to where," she began.
"To right here," said a voice. Meg whipped around. The voice belonged to Miles. She wanted to run to him, hold him, cry into his shoulder, but now was not the time. She nodded at Miles, then Jesse, then listened as Jesse begged Winnie for help. He was right, they had to get Mae and Angus out. Mae wouldn't die, and the frenzy over the water would destroy men.
Suddenly, Meg had a plan. As she informed the others, she felt a rock settle into the pit of her stomach. The first weeks of summer were over, and change was coming, even to the changeless.