Missing

Kaylissa sighed. "What's taking her so long?" Akili sat beside Askari as Kaylissa paced around and around the waterfall.

"Let's just give her a little more time and then…" Akili stopped when Askari's ears pricked and he started pawing at the ground. "We need to go in there, now!" Akili said, alarm in her voice. Kaylissa didn't wait any longer. She darted around the waterfall and disappeared.

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Kaylissa was in awe. Moonstar Cave was beautiful. She had never seen a place so wonderful like this in her life. The darkness and the light blended perfectly. No wonder Lauren hadn't come out yet. "Lauren?" she called. "Lauren? Are you done?" Something flashed in the corner of the cave. Kaylissa slowly moved over to it. On the ground, a silver chain lay with a small star-shaped crystal connected to it. The Starstone, she thought. But where is Lauren? She's gone.

"Kaylissa?" a voice called. Kaylissa turned to see Akili padding up to her. "Did you find Lauren?"

Kaylissa sighed. "No, but I found this." She showed Akili the Starstone. Akili put her nose to it and the stone started to glow. Three silver outlines of people appeared in front of them. One was Lauren. Kaylissa watched silently as the two men grabbed Lauren and dragged her towards the wall of the cave. Lauren dropped the Starstone necklace before the three figures disappeared into the wall. When the images faded, Akili fell to the ground. "Akili! What's wrong? What was that?"

Akili turned her head to look at Kaylissa. "It's a gift I have. Mlinzi once had it but when he died it was passed on to me. If my nose touches the Starstone, it will show you the most recent event that happened whenever the stone was present. Lauren was apparently kidnapped and she dropped the Starstone for us to find. There must be a secret passage that they went through." Akili stood up. "Let's go outside and think about what to do."

Kaylissa nodded and followed Akili out of the passage.