Rachel hadn't been idle. She'd ghosted the edges of Ryan's recovery spot, and a few, incredibly foolish squirrels had gone his way...but yes, time to finish it. She fell in at his side once more, never questioning his readiness. He'd manage.

It appeared the prey had noticed the glowing paths he spawned though, and cannily, had crossed and recrossed them until there was a Gordian knots worth of trails weaving through the trees and each other.

Rachel gave an annoyed sneeze and set her back to Ryan as she scanned behind them...