“You heard the lady. Come on, come on. Let’s get a move on.” Yuma clapped her hands cheerfully urging the terrified children along. “Yes, hold hands, two in a row and follow Madora, the den mother.”

 Even as she kept their spirits high, Yuma felt as if piercing eyes were upon them.

And as she took a glance backward, she could swear she saw something move stealthily in the shadowed copse behind.