Chapter 22: Departure Day.

The morning sun cast a warm, golden light over Green Arbor as the town bustled with quiet energy, sensing the significance of the journey about to begin. A few ADF members moved around the jeep, helping to load it with supplies and equipment for the team’s journey to Dust Haven. Bags of food, water, ammunition, and various other essentials filled the back, alongside two sturdy dirt bikes securely fastened to the rear.

Lucas arrived with a curious smile, raising an eyebrow at the impressive haul. “Wow, do we really need all this stuff?” he asked, chuckling as he eyed the loaded gear, feeling a blend of anticipation and amusement at the sight of two bikes stacked on the jeep.

Ava laughed, jumping down from the back after securing one last bag. “Trust me, we’ll be thankful for it all when we’re out there.” Her eyes sparkled with the thrill of a mission but held a hint of apprehension—Dust Haven was no ordinary journey.

Lucas studied her attire, smirking. “You look like you’re about to join the bandits, not face them.”

Ava grinned, brushing a speck of dust from her jacket. “If we’re walking into pirate country, we might as well look the part.”

Lucas laughed, but his gaze softened with concern. “Just as long as you remember which side you’re on, ‘Blondie.’”

Ava rolled her eyes playfully. “Besides, if you think I’m dressed like a bandit, you should see Talon. I had to talk him out of wearing an eyepatch.”

At that moment, Jess and Callie arrived, with Callie trying to hoist her bag up into the jeep. Before she could secure it, Ava walked over, gently taking the bag from her hands and setting it down. She drew Callie aside, lowering her voice.

“I told you, Callie, this one is different. It’s not like anything you’ve seen or trained for. Dust Haven isn’t just rough—it’s unpredictable, and we’re walking in with no guarantees. This could be too dangerous for you,” Ava said, her gaze serious and filled with concern.

Callie hesitated, glancing at Lucas and Jess for reassurance. “But Lucas and Jess… they think it’s something I should see. They said there are things I can’t really learn about unless I experience them myself,” she protested, her determination evident.

Ava crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as she shot a look at Lucas and Jess. “So, I don’t get a say in this?”

Jess and Lucas exchanged amused glances, both smiling innocently as they replied in unison, “Nope.”

With a sigh, Ava relented, turning back to Callie. “Fine, but you follow every order and stay close. If I tell you to get down or fall back, you do it without a second thought. Understood?”

Callie nodded, her eyes bright with a mix of excitement and gratitude. “Understood, Ava.”

Just then, Talon arrived, hauling one last bag over his shoulder and securing it in the jeep. Jess approached him, her expression warm as she enveloped him in a big, heartfelt hug. “No matter what happens out there, Talon, remember that you’ve got family here. We’re always with you.”

Talon returned her hug, his usual stoic expression softening as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Thanks, Jess. That means more than you know.” He hesitated for a moment, then added, “Oh, and I’ve got some fresh fish in the smoker for you. It should be ready in a few days—just try not to let Miko steal it, he can't cook it like us.”

Jess laughed, giving him another squeeze. “Good luck, Talon. And remember, you’re loved, every step of the way.”

With a final nod, Talon climbed into the driver’s seat and tapped the roof of the jeep, signaling everyone to mount up. Ava took her place beside him, while Lucas and Callie settled in the back, each finding their own space among the packed gear. Talon glanced at the road ahead, his hands tightening on the wheel.

As they pulled away, Jess stood by the gates, waving them off. Lucas leaned over to Ava, keeping his voice light. “I didn’t see Eli here to say goodbye. Was he too busy?”

Talon snickered, unable to resist adding, “Oh, trust me, they said their goodbyes last night—and this morning.”

Ava shot him a mock glare and punched his arm, making him flinch and laugh louder. “Keep it up, and you’ll be walking to Dust Haven,” she retorted, but her tone held warmth.

Callie sat quietly beside Lucas, a thoughtful expression on her face. She shifted slightly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, as if grounding herself. She wasn’t entirely sure she’d made the right choice by coming along, and a hint of doubt flickered in her eyes. Just then, they passed an ADF member heading back to the gates from his patrol, who spotted Callie in the back seat. He threw a playful salute her way and, catching her eye, quickly looked down with a shy smile.

Lucas nudged her, his voice teasing. “So, has he managed to actually talk to you yet?”

Callie blinked, looking at him in confusion. “Who, him? Oh, yes! We’ve done a few drills together.” She added it casually, clearly missing Lucas’s implication, while he shook his head with an amused grin.

Ava glanced back, catching the exchange, and gave Callie a small, approving nod. “Just remember, Callie, this trip isn’t a break. There’s going to be plenty of training and more than a few moments that will push you. But I believe in you, so stay focused.”

Talon added with a grin, “And don’t mind Ava if she starts looking at you like you’re a rookie. She just does that when she worries.”

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Callie straightened, her eyes meeting Ava’s. “I won’t let any of you down. I’m here to learn, and I’m ready.”

Ava’s expression softened, a sense of pride stirring within her. “Good. Just stay sharp, and remember what we’ve been working on.”

As the jeep sped down the dusty road, the landscape slowly shifted from the familiar green hills of Green Arbor to more rugged, arid terrain. The route ahead was long, weaving through dense forest paths and wide-open plains, taking them miles away from any sign of comfort or safety. They would have a few days on the road before they even reached the outskirts of Dust Haven.

The silence settled over the group, each lost in their thoughts. Ava looked over at Talon, her mind returning to the promise she’d made him. This was their chance to find answers about his mother, Selene. They didn’t know if they’d find her alive or if they’d only uncover painful truths, but one way or another, they’d face it together.

In the back, Lucas quietly began going over the maps and information they had gathered, occasionally sharing insights about the towns they’d pass along the way. Callie listened closely, eager to soak in every detail.

“Dust Haven isn’t like any place we’ve been,” Lucas murmured, breaking the silence. “It’s ruled by syndicates, a place where even the usual rules don’t apply.”

Ava gave a slight nod. “Then we’ll be careful. We’re going in under the radar and blending in. But remember, Callie, this isn’t about heroics. We’re here for Talon, to find the answers he deserves.”

With a final look at each other, a sense of resolve solidified within the group. Their destination lay ahead, a dangerous, lawless place that held the shadows of Talon’s past and possibly the answers they all sought.

The jeep continued down the road, carrying them further from Green Arbor and deeper into the unknown, each of them ready to face whatever lay ahead.

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As the sun started to dip low, casting amber hues across the rocky landscape as the jeep trudged on, its tires kicking up trails of dust along the winding road. The journey to Dust Haven would take time, with one more night planned under the open sky before they arrived at their destination. Talon, steady at the wheel, navigated with practiced ease while Lucas pored over a creased map, tracing their path. Ava, always alert, scanned the terrain with an eye trained to spot trouble before it found them. Beside her, Callie stared out, quietly absorbing the shifting landscape, her thoughts a whirlwind of nerves and determination.

As the fading daylight signaled nightfall, Talon steered into a sheltered clearing bordered by rocky outcrops and spindly trees that swayed in the evening breeze. He turned off the engine, giving a nod of approval as he stepped out. “We’ll stop here for the night,” he said, stretching his arms out, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. “Get comfortable, everyone. Looks like it’s us and the stars again.”

While Ava and Lucas unpacked gear, Callie worked alongside Talon, helping him pitch the tents. She fumbled once or twice with the stakes, each slip greeted by Talon’s good-natured smirk. “You’re getting better,” he said, nodding approvingly. “By the end of this trip, you’ll be the camp expert.”

With tents erected, Ava struck a fire that soon crackled and cast a warm glow over their small circle. They gathered around, cooking a modest meal as the night embraced them, the landscape softened by moonlight. The conversation drifted toward Green Arbor, and as the flames danced, so did the laughter, easy and familiar.

"So," Talon began with a grin, breaking the quiet, “how’s Eli managing back home without you causing mayhem?”

Ava chuckled. “Oh, he’s fine. Enjoying a break from us, I bet. Keeps himself busy with patrols and checking on everyone. Honestly, he’s probably grateful for some peace.”

Lucas leaned back, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “Peace? Pretty sure he’s glad you’re gone so he doesn’t have to clean up after you two.”

Ava playfully shoved him. “Hey! Who says I’m the one causing all the trouble?”

“Blondie, really?” Talon interjected with a raised brow. “Remember that time with the bikes and that jump you *insisted* I try?”

“Oh, don’t act like you weren’t excited,” Ava shot back, grinning. “Besides, you loved the mud bath, admit it.”

Callie looked between them, her eyes wide with interest. “Wait, you ride bikes too, Talon?”

Talon’s expression turned sheepish. “Tried to. Only a few time's. Let’s say my shortcut through a swamp was not the highlight of my career.”

“Oh, right,” Ava laughed, leaning forward. “I ended up ditching the mission and pulling him out—mud-covered ‘Swamp Rider’ and all.” She winked at Callie. “Not exactly subtle, but you can’t say he doesn’t make an entrance.”

As laughter rose from the group, the tension from the road eased, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie. For Callie, these stories were glimpses into the strength of friendship, the family-like loyalty she’d longed to find.

Meanwhile, back in Green Arbor, Eli made his rounds, quietly checking on the community Ava, Talon, and he had fought to protect. As he stopped at the training grounds, he spotted Matt, an ADF member diligently practicing his drills.

“Evening, Matt,” Eli greeted, watching the young man’s technique.

Matt paused, lowering his practice sword. “Evening, Eli.”

Eli gave an approving nod. “Good to see you putting in the work. I’ve noticed you’ve been spending time around Callie.”

A faint blush crept into Matt’s cheeks. “Uh, yeah. She’s… a good friend. Trying to make her feel welcome.”

Eli clapped a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “That’s good, Matt. She’s finding her place here, but a little extra support never hurts. Keep being that steady friend for her.”

Matt’s chest puffed up a bit, his confidence growing under Eli’s words. “Will do.”

Back on the road, the night had fully settled, and the group huddled around the fire as embers crackled in the cool air. Talon took the first watch, seated just beyond the circle of warmth, his gaze sharp as he surveyed their surroundings. Ava settled in her tent, her thoughts drifting to Eli and Green Arbor. She hoped everything was running smoothly in their absence, but she trusted Eli to keep things steady.

Unable to sleep, Callie slipped out of her tent and found Talon near the fire, his expression softened in the flickering glow. He glanced up as she approached. “Can’t sleep?”

Callie shrugged, her eyes lingering on the flames. “A lot on my mind.”

Talon nodded, understanding. “This trip’s no small thing, Callie. You’re handling it well.”

She glanced up at him, a small smile forming. “Thanks, Talon. I feel like I’ve finally found something here—a family, maybe, in Green Arbor. And in all of you.”

Talon’s gaze softened. “That’s what makes a good Sentinel. It’s not just about what you can do alone—it’s the people you’re willing to protect. The ones who stand beside you.”

Her brow furrowed slightly. “Did you ever struggle with training? I mean, were you ever scared?”

Talon chuckled softly, his gaze distant. “More times than I care to admit. But it’s the team that keeps you going. One mission went sideways—I was pinned down, injured, thought I wouldn’t make it. Ava pulled me out, kept me going.” He paused, glancing at her. “That’s what matters. Not just the strength or skills, but the ones who have your back.”

Callie took his words to heart, feeling a deeper respect for both Talon and Ava. “Thank you, Talon. That means a lot.”

“Anytime, Callie.” He smiled. “We’re all here to see you become who you’re meant to be. Remember that.”

As they sat in quiet contemplation, the stars above seemed to glimmer with promise. The road to Dust Haven was still long, with challenges yet unseen, but Callie felt a newfound strength. This was her path, and she knew, with her friends by her side, she could face anything.