The Llama that came charging at them came to an abrupt hault, standing on her hind legs, kicking her forelegs up in the air. When they touched down on the ground again. The trio saw that upon her back was a person! Dressed head to toe in a long yellowish-orange cloak.
"Llamita?"
Dusty asked, recognizing the Llama. The unknown person dismounted off Llamita. Caden, still wearing the black mask, stepped in front of Rose, brandishing his handmade axe. The person pulled the cloak hood off. And revealed that it was woman. The woman had honey-brown wavy hair, and sparkling black eyes.
"Amber!"
Exclaimed Dusty, smiling in surprise of this new person. The person, or rather Amber gave him a warm knowing smile. She spoke.
"Dusty! I'm so glad to see you! I came as soon as possible! Llamita here came all the way to Sector Seven to get me. She was crying and calling out, trying to tell me you were in trouble. I... Who are your friends?"
She looked curiously at both Rose and Caden. Dusty answered.
"Amber, this is Rose, and that is... Caden."
Rose spoke up.
"Please to meet you. We have traveled long and far, looking for help. You two know each other?"
Amber smiled, "Pleasures all mine, and of course we know each other. I'll explain on the way back. But first, is anyone hurt? Is anyone thirsty or hungry? I didn't bring much, but I brought two loaves of bread and two bottles of water."
Dusty intervened, "We're fine. Are we heading to Sector Seven? Aren't there any Villages nearby?"
Amber shook her head. "No, there aren't any Villages for miles or days. Come now, it is a long way back. And I'd like to get to know your new friends."
All of them began walking the way back. Dusty asked. "So, I've never been to Sector Seven, how long will it be till be get there?"
Amber answered, "Two days walk."
In unison, Rose, Caden, and Dusty groaned. "Uuuuuuuuuggghhh."
Dusty blew out some air, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, let's go."
~
That morning, Amber, Rose, Llamita, Caden and Dusty headed up North. And while Caden and Dusty bickered about one another. Amber looked to Rose and spoke.
"So Rose, if you don't mind me asking, what is a milk maid doing all the way out here?"
To that, Rose answered explaining her situation from the beginning. She told of how she she was just sitting at her family dinner table, when the alarm went off. When she was trapped in the basement, separating her from her family. How she found Caden, and nursed him back to health. She told of how they traveled up the river, stopped to make camp. And how they came to the Mountains, and met Dusty. The only part that Rose didn't add was Cadens skin color. Fearing that Amber might be hateful toward him as much as Dusty has been. After Rose explained her story, Amber turned to Dusty and asked.
"What happened at Sector Six? Did you report anything to Headquarters?"
Dusty sighed, "I tried, I can't get a signal. It's all static, I can't even get anything through."
Amber looked down to the ground in thouthis her eyebrows furrowed. "And Sector Six?"
"Uh, well..." Dusty stammered. "Its hard to explain, see. I was outside, and I saw all the animals leaving. Parrots, horses, and llamas. It wasn't long that I felt why. We were being driven out. I don't even know- it was like I was being pushed against something hard. Pressuring me away. It felt, god I don't know. Wrong."
Amber thought on this. "Something is wrong. And it's not just happening here. I'll explain when we get to Sector Seven."
It was Dustys turn to speak. "You know, you didn't have to come all the way out here."
Amber shrugged, "I needed a break, some fresh air. And besides, you're a friend."
Rose was curious, now wanting to know more of Amber and Dusty. But for now, it was going to be a long walk.
