For three days, Rose and Caden have been in the safety of the bunker. During those three days, Rose would read books, and Caden would write. He wrote on some of the papers that were stashed in a box.

In the third day in the bunker, Rose decided to back oitside and investigate the footprints by the river. At this Caden said.

"Hmph, fine... Just get back before dark. Gods knows what lurks out there now."

Rose left the bunker, and into the destroyed village. As she did, she noticed a dense cloud all around the village, covering it like a fog. Rose coughed a few times, trying to clear the bad air out of her lungs. Slowly, she walked to the river, and as she did, she wondered: What happened to her family? What enemy attack? Where did Caden come from?

Her many questions stopped by the time she reached the hill. She looked down and found the footprints were still there. She carefully climbed down the hill, and inspected the many footprints. As she looked closer, she found most of them were bootprints, and some were just shoes. And there were even barefoot prints. She saw that all the footprints were coming to and from the river. Rose decided to inspect the water. She imched closer, and found some tracks-

"What are you doing?"

Rose jimped at the voice, almost falling into the water. She spun around and saw that it was Caden. He had pit on his short and jacket over his bandages. He looked slightly down at her, a look of authority onlife face. Rose answered.

"I was inspecting, like I said."

"I can see that. What do you think your gonna find?"

"I was trying to find any sign that someone might have gotten away. I'm hoping it might be another villager."

Caden scoffed, "After being attacked by a large enemy with a Dragon? I doubt it."

Rose stated, "But you and your unit arrived to help."

"We didn't come right in and the enemy had the element of surprise."

Rose asked, "Who is the enem-"

She was cut off when Caden put his index finger over her mouth. He said.

"No more questions, "

He then removed his finger, and vegan walking up the hill. He stopped himself amd turned his head back towards her.

"Come."

Slowly, she followed him, a little suspicious of his behavior. Once back up the hill, Rose saw that Caden was waiting for her. The two went back to the bunker, as they did, Rose felt a wave of uneasiness. She then began to see strange purple floaters in her eyes.

"You okay?"

Caden asked, Rose nodded.

"Yeah, I feel just a little off."

She looked to him and saw that he narrowed his eyes at her. Looking up and down slightly.

"You don't look good either. Let's get to the bunker."

They quickly make their way to the bunker. Once they got there, Rose found laying on one of the beds, hoping that some rest will help get rid of the sick feeling. Everything was almost spinning, and nothing at all seemed right.

~

Once Rose woke up, she realized it was the next day. And Caden was, packing?

She sat up, and asked. "What's going on?"

Without taking his off putting things in his inventory, he said.

"Glad you're up. We're leaving."

"Wait, leaving? Why?"

With a sigh he said, "This area is becoming hazardous. Now C'mon, help me get this stuff."

At that, Rose said, "What? But help will arrive."

Caden gave a frustrated sighed, saying.

"If help was coming, they would have been here by now. They should have been here a day ago, and I know."

After that, he added, in a more gentle voice.

"That, and the toxic air is starting to affect you. I don't want you getting sick."

He tpssed a box with food stuffs and emergency supplies. Rose took it and placed it in her inventory. She decided that he was right, that it was best to move on to somewhere safe. Wherever they were gomma go, she hoped that they would turn oit alright. It was a very big world out there. And it was dangerous.

Once the two packed up everything into their inventories, they left the bunker. Caden was taking the lead, and heading towards the river, Rose looked back at the crushed ruins she once called home. She quickly turned back and tried to keep up the pace with Caden. He led them down to the river, where he stopped, and looked around.

"Okay, now where the hell are gonna go?"

He murmured.

Rose looked right to the direction where the river was flowing from. If they wewent up river, they'd most likely reach another village where they'd get help.

"Let's head up the river," Rose suggested. "Up there, we can find a village and we can get help."

At that, Caden turned his head to the side, giving her a side glance. He then scratched his chin in thought for a moment. And then he nodded.

"Alright then, let's move out."