BACK ON THE ROAD

"Before we take off, I think we should do some shopping," Hugo said. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to run low on supplies."

"Me too," Yuka agreed. "I'm out of, well, everything."

"Same," Shelly added. "We need to take the rest of the day and get what we need. I think I saw a store a few blocks down. We can start there."

"Good idea," Hugo said as he closed his bag and slung it over his shoulders.

A few moments later, they had checked out of the hotel and were on their way down the street. It was early afternoon now, and the temperature had already risen considerably; it wasn't unbearable, but certainly noticable. There were people with cold drinks and ice cream. No surprise; it was the middle of summer, after all. The kid were out of school, and most people just wanted to go to the pool.

The store Shelly mentioned soon came into view. It was one of several other stores and restaurants, part of a small plaza of sorts that stretched the length of the block. Located next to it was a small ice cream shop, with people coming and going as they got the cool sweet to avoid the summer heat.

For the three friends, the air conditioned interior of the shop was enough of a relief for the rising temperature.

"So, what do we need?" Shelly asked.

"I know I need toothpaste, deodorant, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and travel snacks," Yuka answered.

"I think we all need those things," Shelly said.

"Yeah, that's definitely universal," Hugo agreed. "We'll need enough to at least get us to the next city."

"Which would be Avis City," Yuka said. She grabbed a cart and started moving down the aisles.

Half an hour later, they were at the checkout line, Hugo taking the lead.

"I'll pay," he offered as he pulled out his credit card.

Shelly leaned in to whisper to Yuka; she didn't want Hugo to hear what she was going to say.

"Hey Yuka, don't you think it's weird? Hugo seeming to have more money than he should?"

"You know, you're right," Yuka said. "He must have a lot saved up from all the odd jobs he said he's done. Speaking of which, I haven't seen him take a single job since I've met him. Have you?"

"No, not one," Shelly agreed. She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe it's nothing; maybe he really does just have an insane amount saved up."

With their items paid for, they left the store only to be met by the hot air; in the short time they were in the store, the tempreature had risen quite a bit. It was also getting slightly humid, adding a mild dampness to the heat. Yuka could already feel sweat starting to form under her hairline as they started to make their way down the street.

She stopped for a few seconds to adjust her pack; it had been empty for the last few days, and she had forgotten how heavy it was when it was loaded down with supplies.

"You good, Yuka?" Hugo asked.

"Yeah, just have to adjust some things, that's all."

"Well, anyway, we got what we need," Shelly piped up. "Should we get going?"

Hugo booted up his duel pad and brought up the map feature. Salamandra City was situated on the northwestern coast of the region. Avis City was the closest city with several routes to get there. One route followed the coast to the north before turning west after twenty miles, with another fifteen miles before reaching Avis City. Another route led west into the nearby village of Umbris Town, situated at the base of Mount Riansares; the route turned north at the base of the mountain and went twenty miles north to Avis City. The third route he could see led them onto a hiking path through the Zelenyy Woods, a path that went through a cave system that let out just outside the city.

"I think the fastest path would be going through the woods," Hugo said. "Sure, we have to go through a cave, but other than that, it's a straight shot."

"Then let's go," Shelly said.

"Wait, I want to do one thing before we leave," Yuka said. "I want find a phone and call my mom. It's been almost a month since I left home; I want to let her know how I'm doing."

Video phones had become a mainstay in both homes and public spaces in the last decade and a half. They allowed for more personal conversations, as both parties were able to see as well as hear each other in real time. In a large city like this one, there seemed to be one on every street corner, in the bus terminal, the train station, and the ferry docks. The best part about the public phones was that they were free to use, but only for twenty minutes; if someone wanted to talk any longer than that, it was going to cost them a few dollars for extra time.

The nearest video phone that was still open was located on the corner of the next street over, next to a sidewalk cafe. Yuka booted up the phone and dialed her home number.

After a few seconds of the phone ringing and the screen showing static, the screen changed to show the living room of Yuka's home, her mother sitting at the kitchen table the phone was sitting on. Yuka's mother, Taka, was sitting at the table, a garden salad in a bowl nearby.

"He - Yuka!"

"Hi Mom!"

"Oh my gosh, it's been so long! How are you doing? Are you okay? Where are you?"

"Slow down, Mom," Yuka chuckled. "I'm fine. I'm in Salamandra City; just got my third gym badge."

"That's great! Congratulations, sweetie; you're almost halfway there."

"Yeah, our next stop is in Avis City."

Taka squinted her eyes in confusion. "Wait, 'our'?"

"Oh yeah, I met a couple of new friends on the way," Yuka answered. She stepped to the side. "Mom, these are my friends Hugo and Shelly."

"Hi, Mrs. Yuka's Mom," Hugo said with a cheerful wave.

"Hi," Shelly chimed in.

"Hi, kids," Taka said. "You know, I'm really glad Yuka met you two; honestly, I was worried about her making this journey alone, especially after I heard about what happened in Equus City and on the ferry."

"Oh, you heard about those creeps, huh?" Yuka asked. "Unfortunately, we've had a couple of run ins with them. Those incidents you heard about? We were there."

Yuka saw the color drain from her mother's face. "Oh my gosh, are you okay? None of you are hurt, are you?"

"No, we're fine," Yuka assured her mother.

"Actually, not to brag, but we were the ones who put the kibosh on their plans," Hugo said. "Those goons are no match for us."

Taka let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness you're all okay. Just, please promise me you'll be careful from now on, okay?"

"We'll be okay," Shelly said.

"She's right," Yuka agreed. "Besides, we've got each other. As long as we're together, we'll be okay."

"That's so good to hear, honey," Taka said. "Hey, sorry to cut this short; I'd love to talk with you and your friends more, but I have to finish my lunch and then get back to work."

"Okay, Mom. I'll call you again when I get the chance and I'll be home as soon as I can, with eight gym badges. See you later, Mom. Love you."

"I love you too, Yuka. You kids be safe now." The screen went dark as the call ended.

"Your mom seems nice," Hugo said.

"She's the best," Yuka replied.

"Uh, I just had a thought," Shelly piped up. "If the Cultura Mortis knows who you are, aren't you afraid they'll find your mom and go after her to get to you?"

"Maybe if they knew my name and home address, which they don't," Yuka said confidently. "Anyway, we need to get going. Come on, guys."

"Hey, how do you think Tommy did in his duel with Cole?" Shelly asked as they started to move to the northern end of town.

"I guess we'll find out at some point," Hugo guessed.

##############################################

Haschel watched the three from their corner table at the cafe, a newspaper hiding their face. Serafino had sent them to keep an eye on those three, espeically Shelly the runaway; he didn't want her to be giving out any sensitive information that might endanger the cult's end goals. Those three kids probably wouldn't be an issue, if it weren't for the fact that five of their operatives were currently incarcerated thanks to them.

Haschel lowered the newspaper slightly and took a drink of their iced coffee. The kids had spent the last few minutes talking to someone on the video phone - they could hear it was the one girl's mother.

Yuka Rumiko, that's the girl's name, Haschel silently reminded themself. And she was talking to her mother. That could be some useful information to have. I'll have to get that back to Serafino. Arkhan, at least.

Haschel's mobile phone rang. They swiped up on the screen to answer the call.

"How's it going?" the voice of Serafino Temura came over the speaker.

"They're leaving town," Haschel answered. "I think they're on their way to Avis City; they're going northwest. I was tailing them earlier and heard that they were going to go through the Zelenyy Woods and pass through the Hondo Cavern. You want me to keep following them?"

"No, not right now. Instead, I'll send Arkhan and a few operatives to meet them on the other side of the cave. The light at the end of that particular tunnel will be the last thing those interloping brats ever see." The line went dead as Serafino ended the call.

Haschel turned their phone off and looked in the direction those three kids walked. The three of them would be at the entrance to the Zelenyy Woods by the end of the day. If Haschel left now, they would be at the other end of the Hondo Cave, the end that led out into Avis City, in three days time on foot. But they didn't have that kind of time. If they dawdled, the interlopers would be in Avis City before Haschel even got to the cave's terminus.

It was a good thing, then, that they had their all-terrain motorcycle parked nearby.