Two(ish) hours away from Trout's Landing.

Jeb stood with Ruby in his arms and the tribe of kobolds standing around him as he watched his friend drive the train back down the track and back towards the place he had called home all his life.

Ruby looked up at Jeb and saw the sadness on his face.

"Jeb? Do you need a moment?"

"We can give you a minute if you want?" The Chief echoed.

"No. It'll get dark soon and the longer we wait the colder and darker it'll get. Besides, I don't much want to camp out in the open with how things have been goin' lately." Jeb said as he adjusted his pack and Ruby in his arms and began to head up the road.

The Chief and Trap Master both looked at one another before rallying the tribe and followed close behind him as they made their way down the worn road. Salamander pulled sleds made of doors and cupboards dragged along as they hauled crates of food and supplies while skirmishers formed a loose circle around the tribe, claws on their rifles and javelins as they eyed everything and twitched at every sound.

As they walked down the road, the Trap Master caught up to Jeb and asked him some questions.

"Wont we meet anyone on our way there?"

"Doubtful. Especially this time of year. If it was spring or summer then we might get a car or two, maybe a camper of hikers wanting to rough it out in the mountains and forests. But I doubt we'll encounter anyone." Jeb said, though even as he did so he kept his eyes scanning the nearby woods and the road.

Packs clattered as they went, the only sounds they could hear beside the occasional bird call from cardinals and chickadees as well as other birds that made this place their home year round and the skidding of the sleds against the pavement.

Ruby shifted in Jeb's arms.

"You don't have to carry me Jeb."

"Like hell I'm lettin' you walk all the way there." Jeb retorted.

Ruby struggled until Jeb finally relented and sat her down. She waddled over to one of the sleds and was eased onto a crate where she further bundled herself up on and looked up at Jeb who sighed and shook his head.

"Fine. Any body else want to shift seats?"

Despite the rhetorical question, several of the hatchlings took it upon themselves to shift around on one of the crates. After a frantic minute of shifting, shoving, and yelling it appeared that they were where they wished to be.

"Alrighty then. Let's get a move on then. I don't like the look of those clouds."

Jeb was right, the three leaders thought as they glanced up at the clouds gathering on the horizon. They were already ill suited to the climate and they didn't want to get caught in rain or even snow out in the open. Even if the forest would provide some cover.

So on they moved. A bit more hurry in their steps as they continued to eye the clouds and the surrounding wilderness for threats. Every sound seemed like the start of an ambush to them. Every branch snap or leaf rustle caused dozens of sets of eyes to dart in the direction, only to be met with a curious deer or hare.

But that did little for the tribe's nerves. Even the usual slothful salamanders seemed on edge as they moved. They hissed and their slit eyes darted at every sound. Ready to defend the tribe as would the skirmishers who would regularly dart in and out of the nearby bushes to check further into the woods before coming back and reporting that nothing was nearby.

Again, that did little to ease the tension they all felt. Even Jeb, who should know what was out here, walked a road he's traveled dozens of times before, now walked along it like he was going through no-mans-land. It didn't help that he was exhausted. He's barely got a wink of sleep since summoning his power to deal with his ma, then again with the dwarves, then again with different dwarves. He was running himself ragged and even the kobolds could tell as those nearest gave him worried looks.

Just have to make it there, Jeb thought as he could hear the sounds of water nearby. Once they were there and got set up then he can rest. As they rounded a bend in the road and saw the bridge over the river they had to cross though, he saw someone upon the bridge. The whole tribe tensed up at the sight of the lone figure on the bridge. The figure had his face away from the tribe and was leaning over the bridge and seemed to stare down at the water.

"What do we do?" The Trap Master asked as the skirmishers began to raise their rifles.

"Wait here. I'll see if I can get 'em to move on." Jeb said as he left the tribe behind and in the safety of the shadow of the woods and continued towards the figure.

As he neared he could hear the figure whistling an innocent and familiar John Denver tune. But something about him made his nose itch and his hair stand up. Before Jeb could speak though, the figure beat him to it. Speaking in a voice that sounded strange yet familiar to him.

"Evenin'! Fine day to travel ain't it?"

Jeb looked at the figure. A man dressed in worn denim and old work boots with a faded leather jacket around his shoulders as he kept his face away from Jeb and continued to stare into the water of the river splash away below them.

"Yeah, it is. What brings you out here stranger?"

"Oh, nothin' much."

"Gotta be somethin' important to be out here all on your own."

"Perhaps. Depends on the folk don't it? Important to me could be trivial to you." The man continued to speak in a voice that seemed to make Jeb more and more uneasy even as the man continued to keep his face away from Jeb no matter where Jeb tried to look.

"Why you hidin' your face stranger?"

"On account that my face seems to make people nervous of late." The man said in a voice that sounded eerily familiar.

"Won't show your face, won't say why your out here, some folk might take that as some kinda warnin' you might be up to no good."

"Maybe. If it'll put you at ease I suppose you could say that I'm out here doin' a little... soul searchin'. Ain't no harm in that now is there friend?"

Something wasn't right, Jeb thought as his fingers twitched and thoughts turned to the kobolds and Ruby. He grabbed the figure and turned him around so he could see his face.

"Listen friend, you need to-" Jeb stopped as he saw his own face staring right back at him.

"Who-"

"Don't you know your own face anymore Jebadiah? Don't you know who you are even though he's starin' you dead in the face?" The other Jeb said with a mocking smile.

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"You're not real." Jeb said as his power started to crawl up his arms and he could feel the skin on his face crack and peel.

"Depends on who you ask. But I can make YOU real again Jeb! I offer you your life back the way it was. Before secrets came to light. Before certain guests showed up. Before everything changed."

"In exchange for what? My soul?" Jeb snorted as he growled at the figure that still wore his face and spoke in his voice.

"Why not? Not like you don't have a few to spare. Startin' a collection there Jeb?" The false Jeb said with a disarming smile as he pointed to the balls of lights that started to fade into view.

Jeb pounced upon the figure, his thorned arm swiping at him only to be met with nothing but air. He turned around but saw nothing but the woods, the river, and the kobolds as several came rushing over.

"But my offer won't last, Jeb. The time will come when you have to make a choice. And I hope you remember what it is that I offer you when you do." His voice whispered into his ear before fading away.

Jeb turned and swiped yet again, but was met with nothing but a sinister laugh echoing on the wind and the smell of rotten eggs in the air. The Trap Master and the Chief panted as they reached Jeb and looked around.

"What happened? Where is he?!"

"Gone." Jeb said as he looked around even as the laughter, and his power, faded.

The kobolds sniffed and flicked their tongues out as they tasted the air.

"Smells like our former home. Like the sulfur vents on the lower levels."

"Who was that Jeb?" The Chief asked as the kobolds continued to look around.

Jeb looked around as well before answering in a pained voice.

"No one that exists anymore."

"Did they say what they want or where they were heading?" The Trap Master asked as he peered over the bridge down towards the water below.

"They wanted to make a deal. But nothin' good comes with makin' deals at crossroads." Jeb stated as he and the kobolds returned to the tribe and they continued on. Moving a little faster to cross the bridge when word traveled through the tribe of the strange man that smelled of brimstone.

Jeb was quiet after that. Ruby tried to get him to talk but even she only got the bare minimum. The mood of the tribe was tense before but now they were all wired up. Their eyes darted every which way and even the skirmishers weren't taking any chances as they closed around the tribe protectively. Even the wildlife could sense the tension it seemed because they didn't get anymore inquisitive deer or curious hares coming near.

Ruby clutched her belly as her body stirred as it told her it was nearing time for her to lay her clutch of eggs. Her breathing grew heavy for a moment as she forced herself to hold it for as long as she could. They were out in the cold open and weren't safe. If she could just hold on a little longer.

"How much further?" The Trap Master asked.

Jeb pointed to a worn sign as they neared a fork in the road. The sign had two arrows. The right arrow said PITTSBURGH. The left said TROUT'S LANDING.

"Ten. Maybe fifteen minutes that way."

Jeb led the kobolds towards the left as the road went from worn crumbling asphalt to dirt and gravel. They all cast a wary glance down the road on the right and could see another bridge down the road where the river came back again and climbed up to where their new home would be at. They were glad they didn't have to cross another one though.

The road up was a little on the steep side. If not for the salamanders they might've had to abandon some of their things. Not like the kobolds would allow that either way as several were adamant in keeping their bags of scraps and supplies even though it seemed to weigh them down as the road climbed a little.

Despite Jeb's increasing exhaustion he came back and retrieved Ruby as he didn't want to risk her taking a tumble, especially with the road getting a little rough. Eventually some of the sleds were abandoned. But with how close their new home was supposed to be, they decided leaving it for now would be best and they could retrieve it later.

So the sled that held the heavy iron stove was left behind as was several crates of truck parts and other bits of heavier scraps they had salvaged. Jeb hoped that the furnace worked cause he wasn't really looking forward to coming back and helping to haul the stove up.

Then they crested the hill they were climbing and came into view of their new home. A worn wooden sign welcomed them to Trout's Landing. The paint had since faded and chipped away and moss and vines were starting to cover it. But it was a heavenly sight after their long and exhausting, mentally and physically, march.

Just past the sign was a small gravel parking lot that would've held maybe ten vehicles in total. Just past that was the rusting remnants of a chain link fence that had been either blown over by wind, elements, or wildlife. Towering before them was a large and ancient sycamore tree that casted its shadow over the entire place as it stood in the center of the landing.

"Thank God." Jeb said as he and the kobolds all but ran to their new home.

The fence stood little chance and was quickly torn down as they all began to explore the place. Six wooden buildings were on the north west side of the place. What looked to be an administrator's office and a game warden's hut just down a small overgrown path to the right of it. A bathroom adjacent to the start of the path and beside that were four cabins. Three of them appeared to be in good condition save for a couple of broken windows. The fourth however had it's roof caved in by a nearby tree that had fell.

To the right was the river as it splashed by without care. A pier jutted out in a T shape with a boathouse to the right that hugged against a cropping of rock. The north was rocky and rough as it began to rise into mountains. The west looked flat and clear except for the abundance of trees. Towards the east was the river that stretched thirty feet across before ending on a sliver of land before rising into a sheer mountain face and behind them was the rough climb up. Any view of the wider world was blocked by miles and miles of trees. The only thing they could see from up here was the rough dirt road and the sleds abandoned on it about halfway up and the entrance that was only just obscured from tree branches.

The skirmishers and some of the salamanders were quick to spread out and secure their new home while the rest of the tribe made for the cover of the wooden buildings. The Trap Master followed his skirmishers and began to take stock of their surroundings. Most of the fence was in poor condition this far away from civilization and maintenance. Several holes from where creatures would wear away and squeeze through littered much of the fence. Some places whole sections had toppled over either from being poorly put up or from the elements he wasn't sure. They shouldn't have much issue with security with the north and east being all but impassible. The west however, thought thick with trees, was flat and clear of rocks or any sort of protection. Then the south would need watchposts.

He sighed, much work to do. But at least they were far from other people this time, he thought as he looked up at the darkening sky and led his skirmishers into one last patrol before they all turned in for the night. None were in any condition to resume watch patrols with the long march and that worried him. But there was little else they could do besides force some to stay awake in the cold dark, and a cold and tired watch was just as bad as having none at all. He just hoped these cabins were sturdy enough to protect them until tomorrow.

The Chief and Jeb made for the administration building as Ruby was left with the rest of the tribe as they made for the cabins. First things first, he thought. Let's see if the generator might still be able to run. Jeb had little hope given how rough things were. But having a little bit of electricity for light would be nice to have.

Eventually they walked past several worn chairs and tables as they found the room that was simply and conveniently labeled GENERATOR ROOM. Opening it up their hopes for electricity died as three feet of fetid water covered the bottom of the stairs that led down.

"Damnit." Jeb cursed as he closed the door.

"No matter. We can still make torches and fires." The Chief stated.

"Yeah. But it would've been really nice to be able to just flip a switch and have light."

"That was nice to have." The Chief said as the two moved a few chairs to block the door to keep anyone from wandering down there before leaving the admin building and going over to the cabins to check on the tribe and see if any of the furnaces might still be operational.

Just their luck though, Jeb thought as a quick glance was enough to tell that they'll have to rely on fire for more than just light. Fortunately they all had fireplaces they could use at least. So after gathering some wood and kindling they went about making fire within the three still standing cabins. Ruby and the egg-maids as well as the hatchlings and other caretakers made their home in what looked to be Cabin B. The rest of the tribe spread out between Cabins A and D. Cabin C was the one that the tree fell on and will have to be dealt with if they want to utilize it.

At least they're unlocked, Jeb thought as he inspected the locks on everything. Either someone came up and picked them or they were just never locked in the first place. He was likely to go with the latter since it was a little far away for some kids to be sneaking away for some alone time when there were plenty of spots in or around town that would work.

It wasn't much compared to their last two homes. It was certainly colder. But at least they had made it, the Chief thought as he looked around as the sky darkened more and more and he pulled his welcome mat poncho closer as a chill wind bit into his scaled hide.

He entered one of the cabins while the Trap Master entered the last. A leader per cabin with Jeb choosing to stay in the admin building as the cabins were a little cramped with all the kobolds taking as much space, and heat, as they could.

Jeb entered back into admin building as twilight set in on the place he would now call home. He looked around at the state of the building. Leaves and dirt covered the floor and desks from a broken window or two. Crumbling yellow paper littered everywhere along with faded pamphlets.

Jeb went through the admin building looking for the room that whoever was in charge would stay in while this place was running. Eventually he found a room labelled ADMINISTRATER and tried the knob only to find it locked. He sighed before kicking the door open. Of course it was his room that was the only one locked, he thought as he entered his new room.

The admin room was actually quite spacious, Jeb thought as he looked around.

"Mostly clean too."

While there was a thick layer or two of dust on everything it actually wasn't as bad as he thought. There was even a fireplace which he was quick to gather up some firewood and old paper to get started and welcomed the warm fire as it flooded his aching muscles and cold bones. Staving off the exhaustion for just a moment longer as he set aside his duffle bag.

He went over to the bed and threw the dusty blanket off. Kicking up clouds of dust as the blanket was cast aside as was the pillows so that Jeb could unroll his sleeping bag and throw it on the bed. Something clean to sleep on at least, Jeb thought as he sat down and stared around at his new room. At his new home.

The fire cast shadows across the room as night fell and the sounds of wildlife could be heard from outside. Crickets and a some frogs from by the river sounded out as Jeb began to surrender to sleep. They would have alot of work to do to make this place more than a ramshackle fishing spot. But they had little choice. It was his idea to drag them out here after all. Not like they had much of a choice. It was either this or stay behind and risk even more attacks from whoever. Feds, goblins, dwarves. His ma.

That last thought hurt more than he thought it would. He had always gotten along with both his parents despite their separation. Better than Sammy did with her mom at least. He wasn't even sure if they knew where she was or even what her number is.

Yet in the span of a day that had gone from good to fucking abysmal. Then again, everything seemed like it had been upended lately. His life, his family, the town. Now he was miles away from home, his friends, and his family. Squatting in a abandoned tourist spot with a tribe of little lizard people, one of which was carrying his children which may or may not be what any of them expect them to be. They could be normal kobolds, they could be salamanders, they could be some eldritch spawn straight out of Lovecraft for all they knew!

Jeb sighed as he went over and propped a chair against the door to keep it closed.

"Somethin' else to fix."

He returned to the sleeping bag and felt himself losing the battle against sleep. He dreaded falling asleep again. The last time he zonked out he had nothing but dreams of death and blood. But he had to sleep that much he was certain. So with great trepidation and a miniscule amount of relief, Jeb laid his head down, bundled himself up in his sleeping bag, and finally let sleep claim him. They had made it to their new home at least was the last thing that came to his conscious mind as the sounds of the river nearby joined the calls of frogs and crickets in lulling him to sleep.