Chapter 34: The Wait.

A few more days had passed, and the unease around Green Arbor was growing. Still, there was no word from Ava or Lucas. Talon spent his days tirelessly scanning any reports, keeping in touch with the Sentinel posts around Dust Haven, and making every effort to be prepared if they needed to go searching. But even with these measures, the silence hung heavily.

Selene had taken a modest room at the tavern, despite Talon’s encouragement to stay with him. She’d started helping around the place, finding a familiar rhythm in the work that reminded her of her old life, though in a safer, friendlier environment. Talon felt the distance acutely but respected her need for space, letting her settle on her own terms.

Meanwhile, Callie spent much of her time with Echo, the AI visibly relieved at her return. He flashed a digital smile across the monitor as soon as she walked into the school.

“Echo,” Callie laughed, sitting beside the screen. “I’d say it almost looks like you missed me.”

“I did miss you, Callie,” Echo replied, his digital features arranging into a more human-like expression. “It is good to have you back.”

Her smile softened as she reached out, touching the side of the monitor. “I missed you too, Echo. A lot’s happened.”

Echo’s face brightened, his digital curiosity taking over. “Would you like to tell me about it? I am equipped to listen to tales of danger.”

Grinning, Callie launched into the story, describing each moment and sharing her feelings as she recounted the journey. When she reached the part about Ava’s fight with the giant of a man, Echo flashed an image of a towering, green-skinned figure with wild muscles.

Talon, Eli, and Miko entered the room just in time to see the display on Echo’s screen. Talon’s eyes lit up as he laughed, nodding toward the monitor. “What’s that, Echo?”

“It’s a character from the last century,” Echo explained. “He was a ‘green rage monster.’ I thought the image fit the description of Ava’s fight.”

The group burst into laughter, the brief levity breaking through the tension that had hung over them. Miko chuckled, shaking his head. “Please show her that when we find them. She’ll have a fit.”

But as the laughter faded, Callie’s expression grew serious again. “So… there’s still no word on them?”

Miko’s face grew thoughtful as he added, “With Dust Haven’s distance, all the Sentinel posts out that way will take a few days to get any information to us. No communication stations in that area, so it’s all reliant on messages getting back to us.”

Talon turned to him, his brow furrowed. “When’s the next one due? Any chance we’ll hear something today?”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Miko shrugged slightly. “Best chance is later today, but more likely first thing tomorrow morning.”

The reminder of the delay settled over them, making the silence feel even heavier. But Talon held onto his calm, nodding. “Alright, then we wait,” he said, though the tension in his jaw suggested he wasn’t eager to do so.

Miko turned to Echo. “Hey, could you pull up an updated map of the area around Dust Haven? And any recent intel from the Sentinel posts?”

Echo’s monitor flickered before displaying a detailed map, lighting up the different posts and patrols around Dust Haven. “This is as current as I can make it,” Echo said. “Most of the information comes from Lucas’s last known coordinates.”

The group gathered closer, studying the layout on the screen. Talon traced a finger along one of the paths. “If they were in trouble, this would be the route they’d take,” he said, tapping the screen. As he did, the map enlarged, the zoom adjusting with his touch. Surprised, Talon looked at his finger, then placed it back on the screen, watching as the image shifted again. “What the…?”

“It’s a touchscreen,” Echo explained, a small smile appearing on another monitor. He knew Talon wasn’t accustomed to this level of tech and found his reaction amusing.

Talon shook his head, mumbling, “This whole setup freaks me out,” but he continued using it, moving the map to study various points.

Eli leaned over his shoulder, focusing on a part of the map near Dust Haven. “Callie,” he asked, glancing at her, “how badly was Ava hurt?”

Callie’s gaze dropped, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her sleeve. “She had a knife wound in her side. She told me not to pull it out.” Her voice wavered, the memory still raw and unsettling.

Miko, caught up in the map, muttered without thinking, “That’s bad if she had to leave it in.”

Talon shot him a sharp look, nudging him slightly, his voice a low whisper. “Mate,” he murmured, reminding him of Callie’s worry. The words, though unintentional, had already affected her, and Talon could see the anxious glimmer in her eyes.

Echo, sensing the tension, chimed in. “It’s actually common in these situations to leave an object in the wound. It helps prevent excessive blood loss and can increase the survival rate.”

Eli nodded, giving Callie’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “That’s good to know. Thank you, Echo.”

The group sat quietly for a few moments, the gravity of the situation settling in. Talon reached up, tracing different routes on the map. “If we do have to go after them, we’ll take two vehicles. One stocked with supplies, the other as backup.”

Eli straightened, a determined look in his eye. “You’re not leaving me behind, right?”

Talon shook his head, the hint of a smile returning. “No chance. You’ll be sharing the driving. We need all hands for this one.”

Miko, already calculating logistics, nodded. “I’ll get the supplies ready. Weapons, rations, and med kits. We’re going to need to be ready for anything.”

Callie perked up, feeling more grounded now that a plan was forming. “And medical supplies? Just in case?”

Talon nodded, his focus sharpening. “Absolutely. And Echo,” he glanced at the monitor, “we’re going to need all the info you can pull up on these areas.”

Echo’s digital face smiled, his monitors flickering with readiness. “Understood. I’ll keep the data updated and provide any intel I gather from nearby posts.”

Finally, Talon stood back, arms crossed as he took in the whole group, the plan taking solid shape in his mind. “Alright,” he said, his voice resolute. “If they’re not back by tomorrow, we’re setting out at first light. We’ll head for the closest Sentinel post and go from there.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, a collective sense of purpose settling over them as they mentally prepared for the journey. The room fell into a quiet determination, each person understanding the gravity of what lay ahead.

As they went to gather their supplies, Echo’s screen displayed a hopeful, animated expression, his digital face conveying the closest thing to relief. Having his friends back—even most of them—was more than he could have hoped for. And he would do everything he could to ensure they returned together.