She did not have to tell him twice.

What growing relief Alexi had felt as Katherine lifted him back up to stand by her was swiftly dashed as she stared at something very much behind him. As she gasped and stumbled back, he shouted and stumbled forwards, her shout perfectly mimicking his own feelings. He hit the ground yet again and rolled, scrambling to gain distance, to get away, to stay safe.

Katherine was behind her, fighting, fending off the... thing, the demon. It was here, of course it was here, whatever hellish being had lured them both over wanted its meal. Both escort and threat were right behind him, the darkening woods closing in all around. Every direction looked the same to his fevered glancing, every shrub and root suddenly seeming that much more dangerous with the sounds of struggle echoing behind. How far had he followed those lights, blindly, absently, looking at nothing else? How many steps, how many turns, climbs and slides had he taken? Where was he, where were they?

How could they get back?

The thoughts gripped his heart with an icy chill, sending Alexi shivering to a nearby tree, clutching at it's rough bark for some sort of reassurance. There was nowhere for him to go, not now. He'd only wander again, with fewer supplies and more danger than before. Hands clutched harder at the tree, eyes finally looking back, to where Katherine had the demon crippled.

Katherine, of course. She could find a way back, she [i]had[/i] to know a way back. She just had to rid them of the beast before her, and they would be safe for another few hours.

Alexi clung to the tree, staring out at Katherine and the demon, concern, fear and hope blocking out any chance that last shivering flame had of ensnaring him again. He wasn't a fighter, had no weapon on hand nor courage to use one if he did. So the scribe stayed back, out of the way of his escort, and prayed for her safety.

It was the only thing he could do.