Tommy and Antonio walked in the other direction of the hut, getting some wood and rocks to make a fire pit. The two took turns picking up and carrying logs. Antonio didn’t have much strength to lift more significant ones compared to Tommy, so he focused on smaller logs and big sticks. Tommy took care of some massive timber that he could find on the ground. After a while, the two took a break and rested on some blocks of wood.

“How many did we get so far?” Tommy asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“Um, six and a half?” Antonio replied as he tried to count the number of wood in front of their eyesight.

“All right, I think we’d need about one more.”

“Won’t we also need some flint and steel?”

“Well, I’m sure we can find some along the way.” Tommy got up and continued walking, with Antonio following him, but then he stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Antonio questioned.

“On second thought, maybe we could ask Ruth and Maggie to help us out,” Tommy responded. “Speaking of which, do you think they made it back to the hut, giving Ringo and Riley some berries?”

“I’m uncertain. I don’t think I’m the right person to answer that question.” Antonio shrugged.

“Should we head back?”

After thinking about it for a moment, Antonio shook his head sideways. “They’re both strong-willed and brave; I believe they can handle it.”

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“Well, ok, if you say so...” Tommy cooed.

It occurred to Antonio that it had been a while since the two of them had been alone together like this. He figured it’d be the perfect opportunity to bring up a certain topic.

“Is it ok with you if I change the subject?”

“Yeah, what do you want to talk about?”

“You know those guys that want those crystals?”

“Yeah, I haven’t seen them in a while,” Tommy replied, brushing off the dirt that got on his hands. “What about those guys?”

“And you know they’re in a war with those Orso Loobas, right?” Antonio continued.

“Where are you going with this?”

“If you were to pick a side, which—?”

“Honestly, I don’t want to get involved in that war,” Tommy interrupted. “All I want is to get back home safe and sound.”

“Well, I don’t think those ‘mad scientists’ are as bad as Maggie says, and did you notice how she’s been acting different lately...?”

“Well, now that you mention it...”

Antonio clutched his stomach and groaned loudly. “Ooh, my stomach hurts.”

“Are you ok?”

“I need to go to the bathroom. There must be a nearby tree and bush I could use.”

“Um, are you sure that was your stomach? What did you eat?”

“Uh, not sure, but it might come out soon if I’m not too careful.”

“Do you want me to accompany you?” Tommy offered.

“No thanks, I won’t be gone long. And besides, the sooner you get those logs, the better.” Antonio insisted.

“If you say so, then all right, just meet back at the hut when you’re done, ok?”

“Will do. Bye.”

Antonio and Tommy waved goodbye as they went their separate ways for now. Tommy activated his flashlight app on his phone and walked around, trying not to hit anything in his way. Chirps and hoots echoed through the night as he caught his foot on a massive log. Tommy held onto his foot while jumping in agony. After rubbing his foot and sighing, he looked down and tried to reach down to pick it up, but he couldn’t get the large log off the ground.

Another loud, roaring sound came from a distance. Seeing that his friend and the Thescelotitans were in that direction, Tommy stopped what he did and ran back to check up on them.