CHAPTER 8 Inside the hut a man bent over beside a fire a bowl in his hands Uncle Mitch Sam ran as fast as she could happier than she could have imagined to see her grumpy uncle He looked tired but unhurt
The unicorns outside the hut whinnied and tore up the ground but they let her pass As she entered the hut she saw that Uncle Mitch was bent over a baby unicorn lying on a bed of leaves its tiny body struggling to breathe Uncle Mitch jerked his head up when he heard her come in then rushed to set the bowl down and meet her halfway with one long stride To her surprise he embraced her his hug big and comforting He smelled like straw and earth Sam how did you find me He pulled away with a tense look shadows from the fire streaking his face
I stayed up all night watching for you to come back across the sea and the fog finally lifted to show us the island Tuck came up behind her Tuck brought us here in his boat Uncle Mitch blew out a big sigh scratching his scruffy chin I’m sorry if I worried you I knew the fog clock was running low but if I’d gone home this little one would have died He glanced at the baby unicorn then peered down at the children with exhausted eyes He put a hand on Sam’s shoulder I’m sorry I couldn’t return I thought I’d wished you away and you’d be gone forever Sam said the words tumbling out
