Thea was in the back woods, having left Vilo behind, a surprisingly challenging feat. The night before, Ev had told her that if she wanted to explore, she could meet them, in the back woods. But Thea had been waiting for just over two hours, with no sign of them. She had half a mind to leave, just spend another few days in the castle, sort through her stuff, and leave on her own. But then again, she didn't know how to survive. These kids did.copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwHzlvCluA
She heard the sound of someone walking up behind her. Thea ducked into the bushes and waited for the person to arrive. copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo8dVLIU4z
It was a girl, the dark hair looked similar enough to Vilo that Thea had half a mind to stay there forever. Vilo, though her own age, was like an overprotective mother. But the dark haired girl turned around, and Thea remembered the face that she had held the night before.copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIgllrI9vt
She slowly crawled out of the bushes, and Igg, who was just passing by jumped.copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt022lyFG2
"Thea!" She screamed, "What were you doing in there?"copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtqoGlaofe
Thea looked down, "I thought you were my maid, coming to try and find me."copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2XfojG6tc
"Come on, we've been looking for you. Do you have what you need?"copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡANFAQIVonC
"I've waited here for the past two hours, and yes, I do have my things."copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE5R2Mddbt
"Good. First thing, make it to the border and cross. It's about two hour's hike, you think you can make it?"copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9vppTJ60c
"Yeah." Thea tried to sound confident, but in reality, it seemed like a bit more of a challenge. She hoisted her backpack up and followed Igg who had already started moving. copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA0YaQG6e4
"Once we get over the south-western border, into the Coastal Strip, we'll take a boat all the way to the islands--"copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFIOxLAKYL
"The islands?" Thea thought she'd be moving east, towards New England, the country that took up the majority of the land on this side of the planet. Or maybe even south, into Sonoma. But into the Pacific? That terrified her. copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqVJQlDzrE
The sky had just gotten dark, and about twenty minutes ago, Thea and Igg had crossed the border. Igg led the way towards a light glowing in the trees. Thea had fallen behind, exhausted, and for the past hour, had been wondering why she'd gone with Igg. What if they kidnapped her? What if they just wanted her for ransom? She was a princess and had only just met these kids, and just followed them blindly into the woods. copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJfNHpDowS
Igg, about fifty meters ahead, opened something, releasing even more light into the woods. As Thea got closer, she realized that the light was coming from a log cabin, created using the surrounding trees as part of the walls. Thea entered into the fire-lit room, welcomed by the smiling face of Igg and Ev, in addition to a few others. 291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqypBCvyhm
copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfyb46WFQU
"Thea, these are the people we'll be travelling with, Millie, Meg, Apollo, and Andrew," Igg gestured to each of them while saying their names.copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5kmObHsK8
"And yes," Apollo said with a smile, "We're aware of the alliteration of our names."copyright protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xSmkALYYi
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