Everyone sat the table in the kitchen. It was a rectanglular table. Dusty and Caden each sat one end opposite of the other. Neither of the men spoke, and it was more than likely that they didn't want to be there. But Amber ordered them to come, and they quickly agreed.
Dinner that night was rabbit stew. Everyone ate silently, Rose glanced at each person. Then, breaking the silence, spoke.
"Well Amber, Dusty. Thank you all for your help. But we don't wish to be a bother. What with, what's been happening around here."
Caden spoke up. "We'll leave tomorrow morning, be on our way and reunite with our families."
Dusty mumbled under his breath. "Illagers don't have families."
"Should we continue traveling up north? How should we plan our next course of action?"
Amber wiped her mouth with a napkin, giving an icy stare at Dusty and Caden, then looked to Rose and spoke.
"About that, Dusty and I have come up with a plan to help with that. Though we can no longer help you here, there is another place, and person, that can."
Caden stopped eating and spoke. "There is no need. We'll manage."
"No you won't. It'll be weeks until you reach any house, village, or Sector. On foot or on beast. And remember the pulse wave? It could get worse if you guys are out in the open. And then there's Roses strange episodes. We know an alli, an old friend, who can help you both go home and find find your families. I'm pretty sure he can also help with Roses condition. The way there is unusual, especially for our time."
"How do we get there?" Asked Rose.
"Through a Portal."
Rose was about to say something when there was a sound of choking. And everyone looked to see Caden coughing into his fist.
"Portal?!" He gasped.
Amber sighed, "Yes, that is literally the only way. I hadn't been able to send a message to him, though. But he's a good, understanding man."
Caden was about to say something, Rose knew. So she blurted out.
"Amber, Dusty, we can't thank you enough for all that you've done. How can we ever thank you?"
Amber rested her hand onRoses, and answered.
"By finding your family. And living happily."
Rose gave a gentle nod, and when Amber took her hand back, Rose noticed a gold ring with a blue diamond around her finger.
"Beautiful ring, by the way." Rose commented.
"Thank you," Replied Amber, flashing it. Ambers face then brightened and she turned to Dusty.
"Oh Dusty! I forgot to tell you," her smile widened. "I'm engaged! Liam proposed to me and I said yes! We'll be wed by the next year of spring."
Dusty had took a sip of his soup as Amber said this. In shock, he suddenly started coughing, no, he was choking! He let out hard coughs as he used a balled up fist to pound at his chest, trying to get the food out. With four hard hits to the chest, a piece of rabbit meat flew out of his mouth, landing inches in front of Caden. Dusty gasped for breath and let out a few coughs.
"Uhuhuh, whoa! Huhuhuhhold on!"
He cleared his throat, before looking at Amber in surprise.
"Liam? Uh, wow."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"He is one lucky man to get a pretty creature like you."
Amber smiled, "Hey, we'll always be World Warriors."
She stood up, "Now, who wants pumpkin pie?"
Dusty stood up, "Uh, no thanks. I'm gonna go and check on Llamita. Then after that I'm going to head to bed."
"Oh alright," Said Amber, handing Rose and Caden some pumpkin pie. "Goodnight."
Dusty then left through a door, opposite of where the entrance to the hallway was. But as he left, Rose noticed a single tear roll down his cheek. And instantly, Rose knew. That was a tear of a broken heart.
~
Even though the pumpkin pie was delicious, Rose still had so many questions and concerns. Who was this Nathan? Why was Amber so calm around Caden? Why did Dusty and Caden hate each other so much? What was a Portal? What would happen to them when she and Caden left?
With all these questions, Rose retired to her room. The same one she woke up in. From she understood, it was real late, and she was feeling exhausted.
Rose made it to her room. Upon looking at the bed, did her body feel weak and more tired. As she crawled into bed, she thought.
'I'll sort things out in the morning. Whatever tomorrow brings.'
