Quinn is a Wilderness Scout, like a Boy Scout but focused only on survival scenarios. His fellow scouts call "Super Scout" because he's seemingly good at everything scout related. Most boys Quinn's age would be elated by such a nickname. Quinn is not like most boys though---he's been taking hormone blockers for awhile now and on the eve of their big scout trip, he and his family are about to reveal this to his fellow scouts. Things get off to a rocky start with the revelation. All of that is forgotten though when a horrible storm strikes their first night in the forest and all of them find themselves in a world that is not their own.

Author's Note: Here we going everyone, finally part 2 of my Isekai adventure. When last we left off, Quinn and her two friends were confronted by strange hooded individuals who called them Outworlders and spoke English. I'm sorry to say that my new image at the top is a little spoilery about who said individuals might be but that's revealed very quickly in the opening few paragraphs of the story. I'm also happy to report that this one doesn't on such a cliffhanger. I think its more like a little hill LOL.

Quinn felt a shiver run down her spine as the hooded figures tightened their circle around them. The figure that had first dropped down spoke again, "Your weapons, on the ground, now."

Her hand hovered over her hatchet, her mind racing. The last thing she wanted to do was surrender, but she knew they were no match for a group of archers, especially because they clearly knew what they were doing. She glanced at Ethan and Jake, who both looked equally unsure. With a heavy sigh, she bent down and placed the hatchet on the damp forest floor. Ethan followed suit, his bow and quiver thumping softly beside it. Jake hesitated, his knuckles white on the machete's handle, but finally he too lowered it.

One of the hooded figures stared at the arrows in Ethan's quiver, his own bow never leaving the spot trained on Ethan's chest.

"Those arrows" said Ethan, pointing his head at the ones the hooded figures had notched.

Quinn looked and saw. They were the same ones they found embedded in those dead ogres at the camp. She wanted and needed answers.

"How do you speak English?" she asked, determined.

The lead figure stepped forward, into the light streaming through the trees.

With a swift movement, they lowered her hood, revealing a face that was not quite human. They were dressed in brown leather, fur adorning their shoulders. It was a girl, probably no older than Quinn. More importantly, she was an Elf, with tanned skin that looked as if it had been kissed by the sun and a hint of gold in her dark hair. Her eyes, a piercing green, bore into Quinn's, filled with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. The most striking feature though were her pointed ears, poking through her hair like two sharp leaves. They twitched slightly, as if tuned into the very whispers of the forest itself.

"You are not the first Outworlders that have graced these lands" she said, eyeing them all suspiciously.

It felt as if the ground had been knocked from under her feet. More of them had come here, which meant they weren't the first people brought to this world. She had so many questions. First though, the important one.

"There were kids at the summer camp, we found bodies with your arrows..." she said, hoping these people weren't hostile.

There was no twitch of danger though. No sense fighting.

"Your children are safe" said the girl as if it was the most simple thing in the world. "We are sheltering them."

She had another question. "And the adults?"

She was thinking about Mr. Harris of course.

"Those who were not killed were taken," said the girl.

Quinn's eyes went wide. "Where? Why?" she asked, fear for Alex gripping her heart.

"The Grunk do not have a reason" said the girl as it was the most obvious thing in the world. "They kill or take"

The Grunk? Quinn wondered if that was the name for the "ogres" in this world.

One of the other elves spoke up, his words a lyrical tapestry that wove in and out of Quinn's understanding. The girl replied in the same language, her voice rising slightly. It was clear there was some kind of disagreement, but Quinn couldn't make out the specifics.

The elf spoke again, his voice deeper, more insistent. The girl's eyes narrowed, and she shot a look back at Quinn and her friends, as if weighing their trustworthiness. Then she turned back to the elf and spoke rapidly, gesturing to the camp. The conversation grew more heated, the elf's hands moving with urgency.

The elf girl sighed and turned back to Quinn. "We will go back to your camp. You will get your companions, then you will come with us."

Quinn was shocked. "How do you know we have friends?"

The Elf girl scoffed. "We Dwellers see all and hear all in this forest."

Quinn felt a shiver of apprehension, realizing they had been watched. She looked at her friends, who were equally stunned by the revelation.

"What's a Dweller?" asked Jake, confused. "You're Elves, right?"

The Elf girl gave him a look. "What's an Aalf?"

"E-L-F" said Jake, trying to pronounce it for her. "That's you, Elf."

"I'm Ellara, not Elf" she said, annoyed.

Quinn was annoyed too but with Jake. She shot him a dirty look, one that hopefully told him to knock it off. The last thing they needed was to anger the already angry looking people with the bows. Quinn wasn't the only one annoyed because Ethan gave Jake a gentle nudge, a move with one intention---knock it off.

The other Elves stared at them from under their hoods. Quinn could just make out their eyes, judging.

The Elf girl---Ellara---gave them all a look too.

"Take your weapons" she said, pointing at their feet. "I warn you now, you will not have a chance to use them if you turn them on us. Is this understood?"

"Very" said Ethan, bending to pick up his bow.

An Elf nearby him was staring intently at the compound bow. They held out their hand. Ethan, reading the gesture, passed the bow over. The Elf gave the string a few pulls then returned it to Ethan, satisfied.

Ellara nodded, and the archers parted to allow them to pass. They walked back towards the camp, the elves trailing behind them like silent ghosts, their eyes never leaving the trio. Quinn's mind raced with questions but she knew this wasn't the time to ask them. They had to get back to the others and figure out what was happening.

As they walked, Quinn fell into step with Ellara. "I'm Quinn by the way" she said then pointed at the boys. "That's Ethan and Jake".

Ellara nodded. "We know your names. We have been watching".

Of course they had.

Quinn decided to ask one of her burning questions. "We're missing two of our friends. Have you seen them?"

Ellara didn't skip a beat. "One was taken by the Grunks."

Quinn knew that already. "And the other one?"

"There was no other. It was just you and them. We came to the aid of the children at your fortress. One of our scouts reported that the Grunks took your friends and some adults to their mountain stronghold"

Quinn nodded. At least that was something. She turned and shared a look with Jake. She could see the calculation in his head. She knew what he wanted to say and definitely what he wanted to do. She just hoped he was smart enough not to act on his stupidity. Ethan noticed too, he and Quinn shared a knowing nod. It told her that Ethan would handle Jake if he got out of control.

It was weird really. She hadn't known Ethan very long at all but it was as the two of them were the best of friends. It was strange how something horrible like this could bring two people together. Well in the sense that she could count on him to have her back.

Just that. Nothing else.

Thinking about anything else made her blush.

Damn it.

Quinn forced her thoughts of Ethan, Alex and everything else out of her mind.

"Your camp is ahead" said Ellara, stopping them for a brief moment. "The foul forest has taken the path again."

Quinn looked, surprised.

They just cut their way through no less than twenty minutes ago and already the way was covered again.

This forest truly was a dangerous thing.

The group approached the summer camp, the three teenagers sandwiched between Ellara and her seven companions. The Elves moved through the forest with an unnerving grace, their eyes scanning the surroundings as if the trees themselves were telling them secrets. Quinn felt like she was walking with shadows, the way they weaved and danced around the underbrush.

The foliage grew thicker and more hostile as they approached the camp. The path they had so painstakingly cleared had vanished, reclaimed by the ever-hungry forest. Ellara and her archers didn't miss a beat, cutting through the greenery with swift, precise strokes of their machetes. The sound of metal slicing through the thick stems echoed through the woods like a strange symphony of nature's protest.

The abandoned summer camp was an eerie sight.

"We set up there," said Quinn, pointing to the Rec Hall.

Ellara gave a nod and two of her people moved forward, their grace amazing. It was like they were weightless as they glided effortlessly. They hopped onto a nearby cabin then over to the roof of the Rec Hall building. They took up positions, watching and waiting. It was clear they were expecting hostilities. Quinn wanted to reassure them nothing bad would happen but with Heather, she wasn't too sure.

The park ranger was like a half-lit fuse, ready to go at a moment's notice.

As if on cue, Heather emerged from the Rec Hall, her shotgun held firmly in both hands, the barrel pointing straight ahead.

"Those are my kids," she said, keeping the barrel trained for Ellara's head.

Ellara didn't look the least bit worried. "Your weapon is fast and deadly but my men are faster" she said, her own bow still on her back.

Heather hesitated, as if weighing the odds. She was outnumbered and outgunned. She might be able to get one of them but they'd cut her down before she got another shot off. She sighed, finally lowering her shotgun.

"Smart move" said Ellara, giving the signal.

One of the Elves on the roof dropped down next to her, snatching the gun away quickly. It was so fast that Quinn blinked and it was over.

Heather looked just as stunned.

"We mean you no harm" said Ellara, gesturing for her people to lower their bows. "We have come to take you to safety."

"We're safe here" spat Heather but she knew as well as they did that this place was not defendable.

"You are a soldier?" asked Ellara.

"I was once" said Heather, confirming what Quinn thought.

"Then you must know this place is unsafe for you" said Ellara, gesturing around. "The Grunks attacked once. The people here were only saved by our shift interference. Even then there were casualties."

"They're offering to take us with them" added Quinn, inserting herself into the conversation. "They're the ones who killed all those Ogre things. They're also the ones that took all the kids here."

"We have helped Outworlders in the past" reassured Ellara. "Our Sanctuary is safe, you have my word."

Heather looked from Ellara to her companions and back. "I'll hold you to it."

The Elves nodded, and with that, they entered the Rec Hall. Inside, the other Elves finally dropped their hoods.

The first thing that struck Quinn as they walked into the hall was how young Ellara's companions looked. Their faces were sharp, their eyes bright with the unmistakable light of youth. They couldn't be much older than Ethan, and yet they bore the weight of a world's protection on their shoulders. The second thing she noticed was their eyes. They were all a piercing green, like Ellara's, but there was something else in there. Something that spoke of a life well beyond their youthful faces.

Ethan had noticed it too, his gaze flicking from one to the next as they filed into the room. He leaned over and whispered to Quinn, "They're all young."

Quinn nodded, her eyes on the group of Elves. "They look like they've seen more than we have though".

The room inside the Rec Hall was a mix of chaos and order. The barricade was still up but it had been reinforced with more than just chairs and tables. There were branches and leaves weaved through, creating a makeshift wooden wall. It was clear that Heather had put her military background to good use.

"What in the world..." started Charlie, his voice trailing off as he took in the scene.

Kurt pushed himself up with a groan, his eyes widening when he saw the Elves. "What is this?" he breathed, his hand going to the bandage on his shoulder.

Ellara stepped forward. "You are injured," she said, her voice softer than before. "Our Healer will see to you."

"I tended to him..." started Heather before a female Elf ran forward, taking a bag from her shoulder.

"You did well, but he needs proper care." she said, her voice lilting and melodious. She had a gentle touch as she checked Kurt's bandages.

Her English surprised Quinn. She was convinced Ellara was the only one who spoke it but now she knew the others were just being cautious. It made her wonder who exactly Ellara was and why did they defer to her? More than that though, she really wanted to know where they learned it?

The other Elves were looking around the room, taking stock of their supplies and fortifications with a critical eye.

"Its good wall, sturdy" said one of the male ones---his English a bit stilted. He pushed hard on it with his foot. "Against anything but Grunks it would probably hold".

Quinn felt a sense of pride that they were all able to make something worthy of praise. She smiled big then looked around. She just realized Sadie was missing and for a moment, she panicked. Something maternal was starting to well inside of her for that girl. Then she saw her and let out a sigh. Sadie was sitting in the corner, her eyes wide and frightened. Sadie rushed over, quickly clinging to her leg and hiding behind her.

"They're okay," Quinn whispered into her hair, trying to calm her down. "These are good people, they're here to help us. They saved your friends, they're not going to hurt us"

Sadie pulled away slightly, her eyes wide as she looked around. Then she buried her face in Quinn's leg again.

The Elves looked at each other then at Ellara.

"This child, is she with you?" asked the Elf girl.

"She is now," said Quinn. "We found her hiding here in one of the cabins."

The Elves exchanged surprised glances.

"That's not possible," said one of them. "We searched. We were very thorough".

Quinn looked down at Sadie. If they searched the whole camp, where was she? Had she just been missed or...

Another female Elf came forward, she crouched down in front of Sadie. "I am Teia. I am a friend. I wish to touch your forehead, is that all right?" The Elf, Teia, was choosing her words slowly, as if she wasn't sure if she could speak them right.

Sadie stared at the Elf with freckles and nodded.

Teia smiled and slowly touched Sadie's forehead. The Elf closed her eyes for a moment then gasped. When she opened them again, she turned to Ellara and said something to her in their own language. Ellara and the others looked surprised.

"And them?" asked Ellara, in English this time.

Teia stood up and closed her eyes again. A moment later, she reopened them and nodded. "All but the one they call Heather."

Quinn was really confused. "What's going on?"

Teia smiled. "Be cherished, be praised for you are Anointed."

Anointed?

"What the hell is that?" asked Jake, almost as if speaking Quinn's thoughts aloud.

"You have noticed things, yes?" asked Teia. "Things about yourselves? New things? Different things?"

Quinn felt her heart hammer in her chest. How did they know? What did they know?

"I think we all have," said Quinn, looking at her friends.

Only Ethan and Kurt shook their heads.

"It is..." started Teia but one of the male Elves interrupted her.

He sounded pretty angry, barking at her in their language again. Teia sighed and nodded. She looked at Ellara and they exchanged a few words in their language again.

"It is a sacred thing" Ellara finally said in English. "One that we rarely discuss outside of the Sanctuary. When we are safe, away from prying eyes, we will have a true discussion about it."

Prying Eyes?

That sent a shiver down Quinn's spine. She looked around slowly, wondering if they were being watched.

The phrase wasn't lost on Heather either, who immediately asked for her gun back. It was reluctantly passed back to her.

"This stupid" said the angry male elf from earlier, his English rudimentary at best. "We waste time. Outworlders dumb. Leave them."

"We made a pact years ago," said Ellara, her voice raised. "We promised to protect all Outworlders. These people need our help. We're taking them to Sanctuary"

"Your brother..." started the angry one.

"Is not here" she finished. "And last I checked, Bren, I was in charge of this scouting party."

The other Elves exchanged more glances. Bren looked brow beaten.

Quinn watched the exchange. Bren had clearly meant to be nasty to them, probably why he used English. Looking at the way he was reacting to Ellara's words though, it was clear she was someone important.

She looked at Bren, seeing the anger boil up inside of him. He huffed and stomped off.

Ellara turned to her. "He is young. He means well".

Young? Weren't they the same age?

Quinn looked at Bren's retreating back as he quickly disappeared into the forest. She wondered if he was going to be all right on his own but this was their forest. She was certain he could take care of himself.

Ellara stared to where Quinn was looking. "You do not know us or our ways but he is a skilled hunter. He might be brash but he would not turn his back on us. We can count on him when the time comes."

"We have a couple of those," said Quinn, looking over to where Jake and Kurt were sitting together, out of ear shot.

Ellara smiled. "Come, we must make plans to move out as soon as we can."

Quinn nodded, feeling a strange mix of fear and excitement. "Where is this Sanctuary?"

"Not far" was all Ellara said.

She passed her bow and quiver to a male Elf standing nearby. Then she made a quick gesture and the others started to follow her. Quinn followed too. Ellara had a presence that was hard to ignore. Quinn approached the barricade with the Elves. She looked and saw Teia was already there, sitting with Sadie. Sadie was showing the elf her drawings, Teia was taking them all gently, handling Sadie with a warmth that said she was used to children.

"Teia has the Touch" explained Ellara when she saw Quinn looking.

"What's the Touch?" asked Quinn, staring at the elf and the little girl laughing.

"I can not say too much but she is much like you and your friends" said Ellara then in a lower voice. "Being Annointed is a rare thing. To have so many of you...it is a strange thing."

Now Quinn had even more questions.

At the barricade, the two groups gathered together. Ellara quickly introduced her other companions, explaining they were a scouting party that had caught their trail a few days ago.

"We went out after the Storm" she explained. "A storm like that, we have only seen it two times before. Each of those times, new Outworlders have appeared."

"When was the last one?" asked Quinn, curious.

"It's hard to say," Ellara said. "For us it was a year. The time in this forest is difficult."

What did that mean?

"And before that?" asked Charlie, finally over his shyness.

Ellara smiled. "Three hundred years. It was when Teacher came, the one who taught us your language"

Wait, three hundred years? Quinn blinked. Then that meant...

"Like I said, time in this forest is difficult," Ellara chuckled. "We Dwellers age much slower than you."

"What about outside this forest?" asked Charlie.

Ellara paused before answering. "Ah yes, Them. We don't talk about Them".

There was venom in the word "Them". It was enough to tell Quinn that the Dwellers weren't the only people in this world. It also told her though that there was something outside of this forest after all. Charlie had been right about finding a road to civilization. Just like one of his books. That did sound like something to strive for but first they still needed to find Alex, Ben and Mr. Harris.

"We'll get them back" she whispered to herself.

Quinn and Charlie's eyes were full of questions, sparkling with the excitement of a new world and its mysteries. Yet, the urgency of their situation was never far from any of their minds. They had to find Alex, Ben and Mr. Harris.

Heather, though, had seen enough for one day. She was all business. "Look, talking is not going to get us anywhere. You said we have to leave, so when do we do it?"

Ellara looked at her seriously. "We will rest here tonight. Gather your supplies and what you can carry. We leave at dawn."

Heather looked ready to protest but looking around at the Elves, she kept her mouth shut.

The group had so much to learn from these mysterious people but Quinn knew that it was going to have to wait. They had to get somewhere safe first.

"How long will it take to get to your home?" asked Ethan, having been quiet for most of the discussion.

"If we move fast enough, three days" said one of the male Elves, the one Ellara had introduced as Tak.

"If the forest allows it" snapped another male elf, called Ven.

The silence spoke volumes. It didn't last long though because Ellara started to organize her people into pairs, telling them to assist with gathering supplies. She allowed Heather to take over, ordering the Elves on what was essential. Most of it was coming from the Infirmary. They did have a tiny bit of food left, which easily fit into Ethan's pack.

While everyone was busy, Quinn found herself at loose ends. She watched everyone else with their purposeful movements and she felt a bit like a fifth wheel. She looked down at her hands, wondering if she could do something useful. That's when Mel, the healer from earlier, came up to her.

"You have a few scratches and cuts" she said, sitting down in front of Quinn with her bag. "I treated the others already"

Quinn didn't argue as Mel took a strange green ointment and rubbed it into all her tiny cuts and bruises. Her skin tingled and she watched as each of them closed up almost immediately.

"That's amazing!" she gasped, rubbing a spot on her hand where there'd been a cut. "What is that stuff?"

"We don't have a name for it," explained Mel. "It's derived from a plant that grows not too far from our home."

"It's the greatest thing ever" gushed Quinn.

Mel looked at her with curiosity, her eyes wide. "Your things are more amazing," she said, holding a band-aid. "What is this thing?"

"It's a band-aid" said Quinn, taking it out of its wrapping to show her. "It covers cuts to keep them clean until they heal."

Mel took the band-aid with gentle curiosity. "Fascinating."

She then reached over and grabbed Quinn's flashlight. "And this?" she asked, turning it on by accident and jumping when the beam shot out.

Quinn took it from her. "It's a flashlight. It gives light when it's dark."

Mel looked at it with wide eyes, her curiosity piqued. "How does it work?"

"I don't know all the specifics" said Quinn but she unscrewed the bottom and shook out the batteries. "But these things power it."

Mel took one of the batteries and studied it closely. "It's so...small. Yet it holds so much power."

"Yeah" said Quinn, taking it back. "It's like...magic but not really."

Mel looked at her with wonder. "We have magic here," she said softly. "But it's not like this. It's not...made."

"Well, it's not exactly magic," said Quinn, taking the battery back. "It's science. Like...the way you make your ointment, we use knowledge of the world to make these."

Mel nodded, taking it all in. "But it's a form of magic to us" she said, her voice filled with awe. "We rely on the gifts of nature, you rely on...this." She tapped the battery with a finger.

"And Teia?" asked Quinn, wanting to ask about this Touch thing that Ellara mentioned. "Is that magic too?"

Mel bit her lip and leaned in close. "It's different. Teia was gifted the Touch."

"Gifted by who?" asked Quinn, very curious.

"The Gods" said Mel as if it was the simplest answer in the world.

"Oh" said Quinn, unsure how to react.

She couldn't help but wonder if this Touch and "Being Anointed" were one in the same. She wanted to ask a whole bunch more questions about it but she could tell from the look on Mel's face that it was making her uncomfortable. So she decided to distract the elf by showing her more "strange" things.

Mel's eyes lit up when Quinn pulled out her phone. She touched the screen and the light from it bathed their faces. "What sorcery is this?" she gasped.

Quinn couldn't help but laugh. "It's not magic, it's called a phone. It's for talking to people far away."

Mel's eyes went even wider. "But it makes no sound!"

Quinn laughed. "It does. But it's not like our voice, it's through these little things called waves."

Mel gave her a funny look. "Like the ocean?"

"Air waves" said Quinn, explaining the best she could. "I wish I could show you but they don't work here. This one is running out of power too."

She looked at her battery indicator. She'd been keeping it off in hopes of preserving it. The phone was a little under half now. She frowned because soon, she'd lose it and the pictures of her family.

"What is this?" Mel asked, holding up a half-used pack of gum.

Quinn laughed, taking the pack from her. "It's gum. You chew it."

She unwrapped a piece and showed her. Mel reluctantly took a piece too and mimicked everything that Quinn did. Her face lit up as the flavor hit her taste buds.

"It's delicious!" she exclaimed, her eyes watering a bit.

"It's strawberry," giggled Quinn, happy to have someone to share it with.

Mel nodded, her cheeks bulging as she chewed. She looked like she was enjoying it immensely. "It tastes like a berry that we have that only blooms once every hundred years!"

Quinn chuckled. "I'm happy it's a taste you like."

Mel nodded, chewing away. "It's like a celebration in my mouth."

The next few hours were spent in a delightful exchange of knowledge and curiosity. Mel was fascinated by Quinn's tales of her "world" and the various contraptions she had brought from it. For Quinn, it was the first time in a long time she felt like a girl among girls. At home, she had no female friends. It was hard to connect because she always felt like the "impostor" girl. She knew she was a girl but all everyone else saw was the boy fate had made her. Things were so much different now and she could finally be herself.

They talked about everything, from the elf's daily life in the forest, to the latest TikToks Quinn had seen before they got trapped in this world. Mel had never heard of such things but she listened with rapt attention, her eyes lighting up with wonder at each new word. It was a strange but beautiful friendship that was blossoming in the middle of a nightmare.

They talked through the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. It was clear that both of them just needed someone to talk to.

"Everyone get some rest" said Ellara as the night slowly fell. "We're leaving at the break of dawn."

The Elves took shifts while the humans did their best to sleep. Quinn laid down next to Sadie, her usual sleeping spot. The young girl snuggled up close, her little body giving Quinn some comfort. As she lay there, she gently stroked the girl's hair. It was very strange how only a few days with this girl and she felt overly protective to her.

She fell asleep with those thoughts.

In the morning, everything that was worth taking from the summer camp was all gathered. The Elves had moved with swift efficiency, and Quinn was surprised by how much they had packed up. The sun was just rising over the treetops, casting a warm glow over the camp. It was strange to think that just yesterday, this place had been filled with the laughter and chatter of her friends. Now it was eerily quiet except for the sounds of the forest waking up around them.

Bren had returned during the night and he was now speaking in hushed tones with Ellara. They were going over a map made from a piece of animal hide. The lines drawn on it looked more like a child's scribble than any map Quinn had ever seen. It had symbols and drawings that she couldn't make heads or tails of. She approached them, the question on the tip of her tongue.

"Where is it we're going exactly?" she asked, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.

"Not business" snapped Bren, annoyed, struggling with his words. "Go away."

Ellara glared at him but spoke to Quinn. "Most maps of the forest are worthless. Bren scouted the area last night. As luck would have it, the path is stable."

Quinn nodded, remembering what they had determined by themselves. The forest was alive and it kept changing. The Elves were just confirming what they already figured out themselves. She just didn't realize how much it changed.

Twenty minutes later, the group gathered to leave. Jake tried to help Kurt but Kurt shoved off his hand.

"I'm fine" he said, the bandage already gone from his shoulder.

Mel's ointment had really healed everything.

Ethan and Heather were up front with the two scouts, Tak and Ven. Quinn, Charlie, Jake and Kurt were in the center with Mel and Teia. In the rear of their procession was a female Elf called Hena and her partner, Drey. Bren and the seventh member of their group, Qosa, had scouted ahead.

They slowly moved through the abandoned summer camp. Quinn felt a pang of sadness as she took one final look at the Rec Hall, their home and sanctuary for the last few days. Then she took a deep breath and turned away.

The Elves cut their way through the foliage again. They were in the parking lot once more. Quinn looked at the little bus. It was an older school bus, most of its yellow paint peeling away. Mr. Harris had told them it belonged to his friend. She felt sad that she didn't even know the bus driver's name and now he was dead. It was sadder still that the bus was being swallowed by the forest as if their old life and world was being swallowed as well.

She felt it in the pit of her stomach.

Goodbye, she thought and let the Elves lead them away.

The trek into the forest was surprisingly not so bad on that first day. They took a few breaks, stopping to pass around water and food that the Elves had brought. The Elven rations mostly consisted of bread and dried meat, which Quinn noticed did not seem to satisfy Charlie's nerd sense of fantasy and adventure. She figured he was probably looking for them to have some kind of strange fantasy story food.

At midday, Bren swapped out with Drey for their rear guard. When he passed Quinn and her friends, he glared at him.

"Forgive my brother" said Mel, sidling up next to her. "He means well."

Quinn turned back to look at Bren. He was Mel's brother? She squinted. Now that she looked, she could sorta see the resemblance between the two of them.

"What's his problem anyway?" asked Kurt, giving Bren a glare of his own.

Mel shrugged, it was a very Earth-gesture thing to do. "Dwellers don't like humans"

Humans? That was the first time any of them had mentioned other humans. It made her wonder something just then.

"The 'Them' you guys mentioned earlier?" asked Quinn, curious.

Mel nodded. "The world is pretty vast outside this forest. This place wasn't always our home, one time we had cities spread all throughout. Then..." She let her voice trail off.

"It happens in our world too," said Ethan, hoping to reassure her.

Mel nodded. "The Teacher told us some."

Teacher? They had mentioned a Teacher before.

"That's the one that taught you English?" asked Quinn, looking for more answers.

Mel smiled. "She was an Outworlder like you. She said she taught at a school. She came with other humans from your world but they didn't stay. Only she did. She was a smart person. She didn't just teach us words either, she taught us some history of your world too."

Quinn was confused. They said earlier that it was 300 hundred years ago?

"Mel, how old are you?" she finally asked.

Mel blushed. "Over 400 of our years but who's to say in this forest. I could be older. We Dwellers are a rare race to begin with. We age slower than humans. Some of our oldest Elders have been around for several centuries."

Charlie nudged Quinn. "Just like the books!".

Charlie was nerding out again.

They stopped for the night as soon as the sun went down. It was a small clearing that was ringed with trees.

"We don't travel at night" explained Ellara as she ordered her people to set up camp.

The Elves began to set up what looked like bells made of shells and bones. They strung them up in the trees, creating a ring around their camp. It was an eerie sound that filled the night air as the wind danced through the strings.

"These bells" Ellara explained, "will ring if something big enough comes through."

Quinn nodded, watching as the bells made from shells and bones swayed in the breeze. The sound they produced was like a strange, haunting melody that seemed to echo through the trees. It was both comforting and eerie. It was a clear sign of the Dweller's knowledge of the forest. They had lived here for centuries, adapting to its whims and dangers.

With the perimeter secured, Hena went to work starting a fire. It was surprisingly easy for her. A few twigs, some dry moss, and a spark from a small stone she had in her pocket. Within moments, the small clearing was bathed in the warm glow of the flames. The humans set to work on their own camp, spreading out their tents and sleeping bags. Quinn felt a pang of nostalgia as she saw the familiar logos from home. It was a stark reminder of how far they were from everything familiar.

"What are these?" asked Mel, poking her head inside Quinn's tent as soon as she had finished setting them up.

"They're called tents. It's where we humans sleep outside" Quinn said with a smile.

She was just glad that found them in the store room before leaving the summer camp. There was enough for each of them to have one. In the end, it was decided they would take only four. Quinn would share one with Heather while the boys would pair up, leaving one they offered to Ellara.

Ethan was currently showing her how to set it up.

"Is there room for me in there?" she asked curiously.

Bren came by, barked at her in their language, causing Mel to frown.

When he was out of earshot, Quinn whispered. "There's plenty of room."

Technically the tents were designed for four people.

Mel looked around the tent with curiosity as the humans settled in. She'd seen tents before, of course, but nothing like the bright ones these Outworlders had. She spread her bedroll out beside Heather's sleeping bag, her eyes wide with excitement. "This is so warm!" she exclaimed, her breath misting in the cold night air.

Quinn couldn't help but smile. It was strange, the way Mel was so amazed by everything. It was like looking at the world through a child's eyes again. They had forgotten what it was like to be amazed by the simple things in life.

Not long after Mel fell into a restful sleep, leaving Heather and Quinn awake.

"Quinn" Heather whispered, her voice filled with tension. "Do we really trust these...Elves?"

She knew Heather was being cautious but she'd be a liar if she didn't think the same thing. Sure they seemed to be nice and friendly, it was hard to trust things in this world. So far, everything has tried to kill them. Just when they thought they were getting a moment to breathe, something new came at them. She knew the "Elves" had claimed to rescue and help the kids at the summer camp, she wouldn't truly believe it until she saw them with her own eyes.

"They're too nice," continued Heather in a low, hushed tone. "They just met us and they're being this hospitable?"

"You think they mean to hurt us?" asked Quinn, looking down at sleeping Mel, a small smile plastered on the Dweller girl's face.

"Maybe not all of them," said Heather, nodding to Mel. "But be cautious regardless."

Quinn took Heather's words to heart and was restless for the remainder of the night.

The next morning, as they broke camp, Quinn found herself drawn to Mel's side once more. The elf's curiosity about their human world was as boundless as the forest around them, and it provided a welcome distraction from the looming sense of dread Heather filled her with last night. As they set out, Mel pointed out various plants and animals that Quinn had never seen before. Some of them were breathtakingly beautiful, while others looked like they could be straight out of a horror movie.

"This one," Mel whispered, indicating a peculiar plant with luminescent blue berries, "it's called a moonlit berry. They're delicious, but only when the moon is full."

"What happens if I eat one when the moon isn't full?" Quinn asked, staring at the little bush.

Mel's eyes widened. "You'll retch up the contents of your stoMackkh".

She mimicked throwing up, causing both girls to laugh.

Somewhere off to their right, Bren was glaring but none of them noticed.

The forest grew denser as the day went on, the trees towering high above their heads, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora, a stark contrast to the world they left behind. This world's colors were much more vibrant and twice as deadly. Whereas the fog wasn't as thick, the glowing moss and thick foliage was still all around them.

Looking ahead, Quinn took notice of her friends. Jake and Kurt were silently walking together, their faces a mix of determination and fear. Their eyes scanning the surroundings as if expecting an attack at any moment. She knew they were strong but she couldn't help but worry for them. They had been through so much already.

Ethan, on the other hand, was deeply engaged with Qosa, one of the Dwellers. The scout was showing him a set of peculiar knives, explaining something about their hunting techniques. Ethan's eyes lit up with fascination, and Quinn could see the wheels turning in his head. He seemed eager to learn new things, especially if it could help them survive. She only knew him for a short time but she could see how enthusiastic he was.

But it was Charlie that had Quinn truly bewildered. She watched from afar as he spoke to Ellara in a language she didn't understand. It was beautiful, almost melodic, but the way his mouth moved and the ease with which the words flowed was unnerving. She realized quickly that he was speaking the Dweller language. It must have been his new ability she realized. The same way he knew so much about the forest and how he was able to identify the gun shot from Uncle Mack's rifle that day.

"That will come in handy" said Heather softly to Quinn's right.

At midday they stopped for a rest and lunch. The group sat around the stream, the cool water babbling over rocks as they ate their meager lunch of dried meat and berries that Mel had picked. The elf had assured them they were safe to eat. The sun was high in the sky, casting dappled light through the leaves. It was a serene moment amidst the chaos of their new lives.

Quinn moved to sit next to Charlie.

"So, when did you learn to speak their language?" she asked, her eyes glancing over to Ellara who was speaking with the other Dwellers.

Charlie shrugged. "I didn't learn it, I just knew it" he explained. "As soon as they started talking to one another, I didn't realize it until you all looked so confused."

"So what have they been saying?" she asked, Heather's words from last night still fresh in her mind.

Charlie lowered his voice. "Ellara appears to be some kind of noble maybe. I'm not fully sure but they defer to her. She's definitely of higher status. She wasn't lying about stumbling upon us by accident."

Quinn nodded. She got that much from Mel the last couple of days. Well maybe not that bit about Ellara but she kinda figured that out on her own. Ellara carried herself differently. The others spoke to her like she was someone to respect. She even noticed it in the way the infliction of their voices changed when they talked in their own language.

Quinn explained to Charlie about Heather's fears.

"They're cautious," he said, keeping his voice low. "Before I revealed I could understand them to Ellara last night, I overheard Bren talking to some of the male scouts. They don't trust us and I think they fear us."

That was a surprise. "Why?" asked Quinn, looking at the Elves around them.

"I'm not sure" said Charlie, his voice still hushed, looking at Bren. "But look out for that one. I don't think he likes you being friendly with his sister."

"Noted" said Quinn, having already figured that out herself.

Lunch was pretty quiet after that.

As they were getting ready to move again, Quinn's danger sense went off. It was a feeling she had grown accustomed to since they entered this world. Her heart raced and she pushed Mel down hard. The sound of a twanging string filled the air a second later. An arrow shot straight over their heads, burying into a tree trunk with a thunk.

Moments later, the forest around them erupted as Grunks flew out of the foliage. It was a small group of five or six, the large Ogre-like brutes crashed through the bushes. The elves immediately sprang into action. Their graceful movements turned into a blur of steel and agility as they engaged the Grunks. The Grunks were brutish, using clubs and rocks, but the elves were nimble and precise. They drew long daggers and fired arrows.

Jake had thrown himself over Sadie, his skin hardening like before. The Grunks had noticed them and were charging towards them. Kurt was stunned with fear, hiding behind Charlie and Ethan. Ethan was firing off arrows but none were finding their mark.

A Grunk came at Quinn and Mel. Quinn pulled herself to feet---that same battle instinct that fueled her when she rescued Charlie from the goblins---kicked in.

She felt it swell inside of her, taking over. She pulled her hatchet and knife free and dodged one of its massive, clumsy swings. A moment later, she spun on her feet, slashing at the still swinging arm. She cut at the wrist, causing the Grunk to drop his club. As the club was falling, Quinn slammed into it, throwing her full body into the hit.

She and the Grunk fell to the ground. It roared. She slammed her hatchet into its forehead, embedding it right between the beast's eyes. She didn't give it a chance to say anything else because she deftly slit its throat, ending its existence.

Another Grunk rushed her but was quickly dropped by an arrow to the back of its head. The one who fired it---Bren---was looking at her with awe, respect and fear.

A moment later, she threw her hatchet at him. Not to kill him though. The weapon whizzed past the stun Elf's head and stuck itself in the throat of the Grunk behind him, killing the brute instantly.

Just like that, the fighting was done.

Quinn felt herself relax, her body untensed, her breathing slowed. She was still panting and sweating.

All the Elves around them were staring at her with stunned expressions.

"You killed a Grunk with your bare hands!" said the one called Qosa, shocked.

"Two" said Ellara, wiping her bloodied short sword on the leg of her pants.

"How did you do that?" asked Hena, helping Kurt to his feet.

Quinn wasn't sure what to say, so she just shrugged.

A moment later, Mel threw herself at Quinn, knocking her backwards into the soft moss. She felt the Elf's arms wrap around her, a warm pressure that was surprisingly comforting. Mel's eyes were wide, filled with gratitude.

"Thank you," she whispered into Quinn's ear, her voice shaking slightly. "You saved me."

Quinn hugged her back, feeling a mix of pride and fear. She had killed before, but never like this. The ease with which she had dispatched the Grunks was unsettling, even to her. But she pushed those thoughts aside for now. Just like with those goblins, she thought, concerned there might be something wrong with her.

Ellara's voice cut through the silence. "This was a small group but they will be missed. We can't stay here. Shake off whatever you're feeling, we have to go" Her eyes were still on Quinn, but she was all business.

No one had to be told twice and a few minutes later, they were leaving their stream side lunch spot.

The group picked up the pace, their boots crunching leaves as they hurried through the forest. The Dwellers moved with an unnatural grace that was almost impossible to keep up with, but the humans pushed themselves, driven by the adrenaline from the recent encounter and the fear of more Grunks finding them. The elves didn't speak, their eyes scanning the underbrush with a sharpness that made Quinn feel like they were being hunted.

She sensed nothing though.

"Almost to the safe spot," Ellara called over her shoulder, her voice tight with urgency.

Twenty minutes later, they emerged into a small clearing, surrounded by trees so dense they formed a natural barricade. Quinn's heart was racing as they all filed through, her senses heightened from the recent battle. The sight of the clearing brought a small sigh of relief to her lips, but she knew they couldn't let their guard down yet.

Thankfully, she still sensed nothing.

"Hena get a fire started" ordered Ellara then she turned to the Outworlders. "None of those tents tonight. We might need to move fast."

Her orders were clear. She was concerned the Grunks were hunting them now.

The group obeyed without question, setting out their sleeping bags in a tight circle around the fire Hena had started. The warmth from the flames was comforting but it was the proximity of their allies that truly brought a sense of safety. They had never felt so vulnerable in the open. The elves had proven to be formidable fighters but the raw power of the Grunks was something none of them had encountered before.

As the flames danced, casting flickering shadows on their tense faces, Quinn couldn't help but feel a strange kinship with them. Despite their differences, they were all outsiders in this alien world, bound by fate and survival. She watched as Drey and Ethan shared a quiet conversation, their expressions earnest as they tried to bridge the gap between their worlds. Jake and Kurt sat by themselves.

Sadie crawled next to her, scared. Quinn reached down and gave her a gentle, reassuring hug.

"You did it again" said Charlie as he took the spot on her other side.

Quinn was looking at the blood on the blade of her hatchet. It was darker than human blood, making her feel more reassured. She was still a little shell shocked by it all again.

"I did it without thinking," she said, setting her weapon aside.

Bren came over and at the fire across from them. He stared, silent for a long while.

"How?" he finally spoke in broken English, his eyes searching Quinn's. "How know?"

Quinn looked up from her hatchet, meeting Bren's gaze. His question hung heavy in the air, the weight of his curiosity palpable.

"It's...just something I can do now," she replied, her voice quiet and contemplative. "I feel it, like a warning before something bad happens."

"The Anointed have many gifts," said Teia, sitting down next to Bren. "Some have the Touch like me. Others can heal, some have Understanding like Charlie. I think Quinn has the Hunter sense."

"What's that?" asked Quinn, intrigued.

"Not here" said Ellara, tossing a stick into the fire. "We've already said too much. If everything goes to plan, we'll be safe by tomorrow afternoon. Then you can get all the answers you seek."

Her eyes searched the group, lingering on Quinn for a moment. It was clear she had more to say but she remained silent.

Bren finally spoke again, two words: "Thank you".

Bren's words had hit Quinn hard. The elf's gratitude was unexpected, especially after the way he had acted towards her since they met. His voice was gruff, his words forced but she knew he meant it. She nodded at him, a silent acknowledgment of the bond formed in battle.

Then he stood up and left to go join Qosa on guard duty.

"That's a first," said Mel, taking her brother's empty seat. "I've never seen him thank anyone before".

"Brothers care for their little sisters," said Ethan, taking a spare spot near the fire as well.

Quinn forgot he mentioned he had a sister.

"Your sister is back on Arth?" asked Mel.

"Earth" said Ethan "and yeah. It's weird. We weren't close but now that I'm here, it's...".

Quinn absently found herself patting his knee. The gesture was not lost on either of them. Mel noticed too, her eyes trailing from the hand to the subtle blush on Ethan's face. No one else saw of course.

Hearing about Earth and Ethan's sister got them talking a bit.

"I just want to get out of this place so we can find Ben" said Jake, Kurt nodded along.

"And Alex," added Quinn.

She felt bad that she hadn't been thinking about him the last couple of days. With everything that had been going on, it was hard to think that their troop was not complete.

"He's your friend, right?" asked Mel.

Quinn nodded. "My best friend."

Mel lowered her head. "I had one of those. Kwili. The Grunks took her too."

That admission soured the conversation fast.

The rest of the night everyone was on edge, the fire casting eerie shadows across their sleeping bags. They talked in hushed whispers, sharing stories of home and loved ones, trying to find comfort in the familiar. But the forest had a way of swallowing sound, making their voices seem too loud. They slept in shifts, two or three at a time, never letting their guard down fully. The rustling of leaves, the distant calls of unseen creatures, and the occasional crack of a twig made each of them jolt awake, expecting an attack.

Quinn never detected a single threat though.

When dawn finally arrived, they broke camp quickly. The urgency was clear, they needed to get to safety as quickly as possible.

The Elves moved with an energy that hadn't been present before. They talked in hushed whispers, their eyes darting around the forest as if they could see the very threads of fate that bound them to their destination. It was as if they had found their stride in a race they had been running for a lifetime.

The humans struggled to keep up, their legs heavy and laden with exhaustion from the days of travel. But the promise of safety and the sight of their new elf companions' excitement kept them moving forward.

Ellara led the charge, her eyes sharp and focused on the path ahead. The others followed close behind, their movements a blur of agility and grace that seemed almost supernatural to Quinn. The forest itself seemed to bend to their will, the foliage parting just enough to allow their swift passage. It was as if the very essence of the woods had recognized them and granted them a swift and silent passage.

Their earlier fears from the day they started out were unfounded---the forest was indeed being kind.

By midday, the trees began to thin and the group found themselves standing before the entrance to the Sanctuary. The archway was a sight to behold, two massive trees that had grown together and been shaped over time to form a gateway, the bark etched with ancient runes that glowed faintly. The air here felt different, lighter somehow.

As they stepped through the archway, the Dweller village unfolded before them. It was a breathtaking spectacle of intertwined wooden structures that scaled the trees, connected by suspension bridges and rope ladders that swung gently in the breeze. Homes were built into the trunks and branches, blending seamlessly with the living wood. The place bustled with life, with elves of all ages moving about with a sense of urgency that seemed to echo their own.

The buildings weren't just in the trees though. There were several structures on the ground level as well.

"We're safe here, right?" asked a nervous Charlie, glancing about.

"Did you see those ruins etched into the archway?" asked Teia, Charlie nodded. The Elf girl smiled. "My Master put them there. They are warding marks, no one with hostile intent may pass beyond them."

Quinn looked at Jake for a moment before slowly casting a long glance at Heather, whose back was to her.

Ethan noticed and they shared a collective look, both probably thinking the same.

Ellara stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Welcome to Sanctuary," she said, her voice filled with a warmth that seemed almost out of place in the tension of the moment. "You're safe now".

Safe.

Quinn never thought that was something she'd ever take for granted.

The moment the contingent of elven guards appeared, the forest air grew still. The tall, dark-haired Elf at their helm had a commanding presence that was impossible to ignore. His eyes were sharp and assessing, sweeping over each member of the group as they approached. He wasn't wearing armor or wielding a spear. He was dressed in a green tunic top and leather pants. There was something familiar about him that Quinn couldn't place until she looked toward Ellara.

That's when she saw it, the resemblance.

"Ellara" said the man, his voice cold. "What's all this?”

His English was crisp and clear, like his sister's.

Ellara visibly tensed. "Narn, these our guests"

"Humans?" he said, looking at Quinn then quickly at the others. "Have you lost your mind?"

Ellara ignored the insult. "They're Outworlders".

The man she called Narn looked even more pissed. "What in the name of the Gods do you think you're doing!" he hissed, not even trying to hide his anger.

"My duty" she said simply.

"Your duty? Father will..."

"Welcome them with open arms" said a voice from behind them.

They all turned to see an older Elf with long white hair that flowed like a river of moonlight. He was dressed in a simple white tunic with a leather belt that held a short sword at his side. His eyes were like the purest of emeralds, filled with a warmth that seemed to belie the gravity of their situation. The air around him was charged with an energy that Quinn couldn't quite define.

The Elf walked towards them, his steps so light they barely disturbed the leaves. It was as if he floated rather than walked. The tension between Narn and Ellara was palpable, but it seemed to dissipate in the wake of this newcomer.

"Father," The siblings said together, bowing their heads.

The man scanned the faces of The Outworlders, his gaze finally falling upon Quinn. There was a slight smile before his face turned serious again.

"I am Jarvan, Chief of this village" he said, addressing Quinn directly. "You my dear, we've been waiting a long time to meet."

Quinn's shock and confusion grew as she stared at the Chief. What did he mean? They had never met before, she was sure of it. She had never seen anyone like him in her life. Yet his eyes searched hers with a familiarity that sent a chill down her spine. Yet he said he'd been waiting to meet her?

Jarvan then addressed all of them. "You must all be very tired and very eager to be reunited with your fellow countrymen" He turned to Ellara. "Why don't you show our guests to the boarding house?"

Ellara nodded. "Of course, Father."

Jarvan turned to Quinn again. "This evening, you all will join me for dinner. There's much we must discuss".

Then he turned as if floating on air and started back toward a rather large building he apparently came from.

Ellara nodded and the group followed her, leaving the elf guards behind. The village was indeed more like a city, but instead of concrete and steel, it was made of living trees. The buildings were carved into the bark, the bridges connecting them looked as if they had been grown into place. The whispers grew as they passed. The Elves eyes were wide, filled with curiosity and a hint of fear. It was like they had never seen humans before, despite Ellara's familiarity with them.

Quinn looked about, amazed that something like this could exist in this horrible forest. She wondered how long something like this city had been here.

"Why do you call this place a village?" she asked, sidling up to Ellara.

She smiled. "Force of habit I suppose. It was smaller once, less people. Then..." She paused before continuing. "We used to have grand cities throughout this country. Our people lived in a symbiotic harmony with the other races, peaceful, secure."

Quinn looked around, seeing all the Elven faces. "What happened?"

Ellara sighed. "Outworlders."

That was a surprise but not a shock. It would also explain why Bren and even Ellara's own brother were so weary of them.

"It was several centuries ago," Ellara explained as they walked. "It was our first encounter with people from another world. We were cautious but welcoming. Some---like our Teacher---were good and honest. Others, not so much."

Quinn knew the story. Not this one per se but ones just like it. After all, human history on Earth was full of strife and conflict. Some would call them explorers, others maybe "invaders". Honestly she wasn't surprised, especially if even a bit of their technology came with them. A place like this, steeped in a more fantasy world vibe, wouldn't be all that hard to conquer with advanced means. It was sad really but it happened far too often.

"They conquered, didn't they?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

Ellara nodded. "It was fast and brutal. The humans of this world were no match in the end. Your fellow Outworlders had knowledge that we did not possess. They joined forces with a group of Barbarians and wiped out the human monarchy. Then they took control. They deemed themselves the Ameri Ka Empire."

Ameri Ka? Seriously. What douche came up with that?

"And your people?" asked Heather, speaking up for the first time.

Ellara sighed, seemingly looking for the right words. "We lasted longer than most."

The group walked through the village, the laughter of children echoing through the trees, mixing with the chatter of the adults. They passed a small gathering of children playing a game that involved throwing acorns into a basket. Quinn noticed that there were human kids among them, wearing t-shirts that looked like they were from a summer camp. They were smiling, playing with their Elven peers as if there weren't any difference between them.

A large two story building stretched out before them, the supposed Boarding House that Jarvan mentioned.

In front of it, a blonde haired teenager with a stern expression was trying to get a group of boys to settle down. They were a mix of humans and elves, all of them laughing and poking each other. The girl looked in over her head. Exasperated, she turned away and caught eyes with them. She seemed surprised to see them. That's when she noticed Sadie and her surprise gave way to something else: relief.

"Jenny!" she shouted. "Jenny!"

A few minutes later, a dark haired teen girl came out of the building. She looked annoyed at being called for. Her annoyance evaporated as soon as she looked in their direction.

When she saw the group, he was stunned into silence.

"Jenny!" Sadie screamed, bursting into tears.

The little girl pulled away from Quinn and rushed toward the dark haired girl. A moment later, she was in the teen's arms. The girl---Jenny---was still shocked, unable to speak as she stared at them.

No, not them, Quinn released.

She turned and looked where the girl was staring.

Ethan.

"Do you know her?" asked Quinn, concerned and a tad bit jealous.

Ethan started. "I'm not sure..."

The dark haired teen slowly started walking over, as if numb. She was carrying Sadie in her arms. When he finally reached the group, she set the little girl down.

"How" she finally muttered softly. "This is a dream, right?"

She was standing directly in front of Ethan. A moment later, she burst into tears and threw her arms around him. He was stunned, not sure how to react. The teen---Jenny---sobbed uncontrollably into Ethan's chest.

Ethan finally reacted and when he did, he looked very confused. "Jenny?" he asked, not sure what was going on.

"You know her?" asked Quinn, trying to play catch up.

"I think this is my sister," he said quietly.

His sister? The girl currently clinging to him was Quinn's age, if not a bit older. How could this be Ethan's sister? Didn't he say she was like nine years old?

Quinn turned to Ellara but she looked just as surprised as the rest of them.

Jenny didn't let go and Ethan was still trying to figure out what was going on. The blonde, noticing the distress, finally came over. She tapped Jenny on the shoulder, trying to get her attention.

She finally managed to get Jenny to look at her.

"It's him," she sobbed. "It's him but it can't be him, it can't be!"

"Maybe we should move this inside," said Ellara, looking around with concern. She turned to the blonde. "Do you think you can get her inside?"

The blonde nodded, gently pulling Jenny away from Ethan.

"Come on," she whispered, "Let's get you inside."

He didn't move.

"What did she mean when she said, 'Its him but it can't be him'. If she's my sister...I don't understand..." He looked as white as a sheet and was shaking.

Quinn wasn't sure what to say. "Why don't we go and find out?"

It was enough to get him moving. She walked with him and they entered the Boarding House together.

The interior was surprisingly cozy. The floor was made of polished wood, with rugs woven from vibrant leaves and fur scattered across it to keep the cold at bay. The walls were lined with bookshelves that stretched to the ceiling, filled with tomes that looked like they were made from the very trees around them. The scent of cooking meat and baking bread wafted from somewhere deeper in the large house, making Quinn's stomach rumble. It was a stark contrast to the outside world of danger and uncertainty.

The room they entered was a communal area, with a large wooden table in the center surrounded by benches and chairs. There was a roaring fireplace at one end, casting warm light and heat throughout the space. The light was soft, coming from candles and a few magical orbs that floated gently in the air, casting a warm glow that bathed everything in a comforting light.

Quinn noticed at least twenty kids here, all of them still wearing their summer camp t-shirts. If she counted them and the ones she saw outside, that was at least forty. She was shocked. There weren’t that many parents out there back home probably worried sick about their missing kids. It made her heart drop. It was bad enough that her own parents were probably climbing the walls but most of these kids looked to be about eight years old.

Several of them were flocked around Sadie, all talking at once.

Quinn found her friends. Charlie, Jake and Kurt were awkwardly sitting at the large table. Heather was off to the side, scanning the room like the ex-soldier she was. Jenny and the blonde girl were at the other end of the table, with two other teenagers---a red haired girl and a blonde boy. Quinn guessed they were probably the other camp counselors.

As she and Ethan approached the table, Jenny looked at him and started crying again. Ethan paused, not sure what to do. Finally though, he took a seat in the middle of the table, far enough away to give Jenny some space.

A few minutes later, the blonde girl from earlier came over and sat across from Ethan and Quinn.

"Hey I'm Jessie" she said sheepishly. "Am I right to believe your name is Ethan?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"That's fucking unreal" gasped Jessie, before shaking her head. "Jen and I have been friends forever. She used to talk about how her big brother used to be, how cool he was."

There it was. Quinn quickly took note of how Jessie seemed to refer to Ethan in the past tense. Almost as if he was gone and no longer around.

A cold chill ran up her spine.

"What's going on?" he asked, looking at Jenny. "That's Jenny Holmes right?"

Jessie nodded. "Yep and you're her big brother Ethan..." She paused and looked back at Jenny for a moment. She then turned back to him. "Her brother who went missing five years ago."

A moment later, an older Elven woman came by and set a basket of bread on the table. Ellara who had been sitting close by spoke to her in their language. The woman nodded and left.

"I asked her to get Teia," she explained. "I think I know what is happening here."

"Good because could someone please explain it to me," said Ethan, shaking. "I'm freaking out here. How could I have disappeared five years ago when I'm right here, right now!"

Quinn bit her lip. There was something she noticed a while ago but her mind had never registered it. It was when they went searching Uncle Mack's truck back at the parking lot. When Ethan got his bag and took out his phone. She was so lost in the moment, she didn't notice it. But now her mind and memory were playing catch up. It was his phone. It was an older model, one from maybe five years ago. It looked similar to hers but it was larger, not as thin. She never even connected the dots.

Now though...

She took a deep breath and asked one simple question: "Ethan, what year is it?"

Ethan gave her a strange look. "What year? It's 2020. Why would you ask me that?"

There it was.

Quinn looked at Jessie. The girl was just as shocked.

Quinn cursed. What the hell was going on? She took another deep breath. "It's 2025".

Ethan opened his mouth, ready to say something. He closed it just as quickly though. He was trying to process what Quinn just said. How could it be 2025? It was a joke, it had to be a joke. It all had to be a joke. That girl only looked like Jenny and had her name and...

He looked at her, he really looked at her. He saw it, he saw his sister. That girl over there. She was maybe fourteen now? It fits. Five years. How was that possible? What the hell was going on?

He looked at Quinn. He wanted to say something to her but before he could, Teia appeared.

"Master and The Chief want to meet with Ethan and Quinn immediately" she said after catching her breath.

Quinn shared a look with Ethan and the two of them nodded.

"Jessie, look after my sister" he said, struggling with the "sister" part.

He stared at Jenny, still trying to connect the now fourteen-year-old version with the nine-year-old version he saw back at home days ago.

Jenny still didn't move from her spot at the other end of the table, the other counselors still comforting her. Ethan wanted to go to her but he wasn't sure what to say or do.

"C'mon" said Quinn, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "Let's go get some answers".

The two of them left the Boarding House with Teia and Ellara.

They quickly backtracked their journey through the village, finally finding themselves back at the entrance. Ellara led them up a different path, one that went straight to that large house that Quinn had watched Ellara's father, Jarvan, return to.

The house was indeed large, but it was unlike any palace Quinn had ever seen. It was made almost entirely of wood, the same living wood that made up the rest of the village. It grew out of the largest tree in the center, reaching up to its very top, branches weaving in and out of the structure to create balconies and windows that looked out into the forest. It was like the house and the tree were one. It was beautiful in its own right, a true testament to the elf's ability to live in harmony with nature.

There were two guards at the entrance who nodded and stepped aside as Ellara approached.

"They said they'd be in Master's meeting room," explained Teia.

The interior of the house was a marvel. The walls were not just wooden panels but intricately carved with scenes from what Quinn assumed were Elven history and folklore. They depicted battles with creatures that Quinn had only seen in fantasy novels and movies. The ceiling was open to the tree's branches, allowing natural light to filter through. The floor was made of a polished stone that was surprisingly warm underfoot. It was as if the tree's essence had been absorbed into the very foundation of the structure.

They passed by several open doors that revealed cozy looking chambers with large beds made of branches and leaves. Quinn could see elves of all ages moving about, some looking at them curiously, others with a hint of suspicion. It was clear that humans weren't a common sight here. They ascended a spiral staircase that seemed to wind around the trunk of the tree, leading them up to the second floor. The walls here were lined with portraits of elves in various poses of power and grace. Each one had a nameplate beneath it, but Quinn couldn't read the script. It was obviously Elvish.

The third floor was where the meeting room was located. It was the largest room they had seen yet, with windows that spanned from the floor to the ceiling, giving them an amazing view of the village below. The room itself was round, with a large wooden table at its center surrounded by chairs that looked like they were made of twisted vines. There was a roaring fireplace, much like the one in the boarding house, which filled the room with warmth and light. The floor was made of the same polished stone as the one below, but here it was inlaid with intricate patterns that looked like they were made of gold.

Inside, Quinn noticed Ellara's father, Jarvan, Ellara's brother, Narn, and an older Elven woman in a robe. The woman's eyes were closed and she had her hands folded in her lap. She looked peaceful, almost like she was meditating. The tension was palpable as they entered, with Narn's arms folded and a scowl on his face.

"Father this is preposterous" Narn was already complaining.

Quinn was quick to note he was speaking in English, clearly wanting the two of them to know what he was saying.

"When you are in charge, you can decide who can and can not attend meetings," said Jarvan, his voice direct and to the point. "But as it now stands, I am Chief of this village".

Ellara stepped forward, giving the table a bow. "Father, once again I present to you the Outworlders, Quinn and Ethan."

Jarvan smiled warmly. "Thank you, Ellie, you all may be seated now".

Ellara moved to take the spot on the other side of her father. Teia led Quinn and Ethan over to some chairs next to her Master. She shot Narn a look that said enough.

The woman finally opened her eyes and stared at the two Outworlders. She locked eyes with Quinn and smiled.

"This is an informal meeting" started Jarvan, his voice carrying an authority that would make even the President bow to him. "I had meant to formally greet you at dinner tonight but circumstances have taken pressing matters over such trivial things." He turned to the older Elf. "Allow me to introduce our Shaman, Tooga."

The old Elf nodded. "Thank you, your highness".

"I am no longer a King," he reminded her.

Was he sure about that, thought Quinn, feeling the presence radiant off the man.

Tooga then spoke to the Outworlders. "How much of our history with the Outworlders has our princess and my overeager apprentice shared with you?"

"Just the cliff notes ma'am" said Quinn, the old woman chuckled, confused at her choice of words. "I mean just a brief summary of things."

Tooga smiled again then a moment later, she began her explanation. "Three hundred years ago by our standards, there was a large violent storm. Our people were not living in this dreadful forest at the time, we were not a scattering of refugees. We had a king, a palace and an army that few could conquer. During this storm, people arrived in our world. Does this sound familiar to you?"

Quinn nodded. "I figured the storm brought us here."

Tooga nodded. "We believe it was the fracturing of the barrier between our world and yours. When it happened the first time, we were not sure what to believe. The men who appeared in our world that day were different from anything we ever knew. They were humans in green, carrying strange weapons and speaking a language we did not know or understand. They were confused and lost. When our scouts found them, they brought them back to our capital of Grenlyn."

She paused as if remembering something fond and beautiful.

Quinn had a thought. "You said the men were in green with strange weapons?" Tooga nodded, Quinn sighed. "Soldiers".

Tooga nodded. "We did not know that at the time. They said they were from something called the United States Marine Corp and were on a training exercise. They had a strange iron carriage and their weapons spit fight and tore down any and all things they struck with it. We soon began to realize with weapons like those, these men could conquer the world."

Quinn felt the color drain from her face. She had heard this bit already.

"You know that part?" asked Tooga, Quinn nodded. The old woman let out a sigh. "There was a division in these Outworlders. There were one or two who felt we all needed to live in peace. The rest saw an opportunity and wanted to cease it. It didn't take long for the ones who wished to conquer left our city. The two who were against such things stayed behind. One of them, the only woman in the group, had what she called "education". She was called Madeline Morris but in time we all called her Teacher."

"She taught you English, right?" asked Quinn, Tooga nodded.

"Not just your language but your history and mathematics. She was a gentle and kind soul, so caring and..." Tooga sighed. "She is greatly missed by all."

All the Elves looked sad, even Narn.

Ethan finally spoke up. "Wait, this doesn't make sense. Three hundred years ago? The United States didn't have a military force like that, hell we didn't even have a country."

Tooga gave him a nod. "That is why I said the standards of this world. These soldiers claimed to come from the year 2013".

"12 years ago" said Quinn, the pieces falling into place.

"12 years for you, 300 for us," said Tooga with an understanding nod. "We didn't think much of it until another Outworlder appeared. This one claimed to be from 2022. A mere decade after the first ones but centuries apart for us."

"Oh God" said Ethan, finally catching on. "So she really is MY Jenny."

"It would appear so," said Tooga, reaching over and gently squeezing his hand. "We do not know why such things are happening. We thought it was the Gods but asked ourselves why they would send us such men to do horrible things."

"Because they've cursed us," spat Narn. "These people, they are not our friends. They mean to conquer us again!"

"They are mere children you damn fool" snapped Tooga, not caring she addressed a "prince" in such a manner.

"There is one," said Narn. "She bears one of their weapons. I have seen it!" He turned to Jarvan. "Father, we can not allow this. We must imprison these people at once. They are dangerous!"

Jarvan raised a hand. "I don't suppose you have come here to cause us harm?" he asked, amusement in his voice.

"No sir" said Ethan a bit too quickly, clearly not catching the humor.

Quinn quickly spoke up. "Ethan and his uncle were hunting in the forest, my friends and I were on a camping trip. We're not evil people, we're innocents."

"And that woman?" asked Jarvan, taking some of his son's concern to heart. "The one with the weapon?"

"She's a forest ranger," said Quinn, trying to come up with an understandable explanation. "In the forest we were transported from, it was her job to maintain the forest. Make sure people don't do stupid things like start forest fires."

Narn scoffed. "She carries herself like a soldier."

"I think she was one," said Quinn.

Jarvan turned to his son. "If it will make you feel better, put some men on her discreetly. Keep an eye on her."

"Father..." Narn still wasn't happy.

"I am not about to break the promise we made to the Teacher," snapped Jarvan.

Narn lowered his head. "Yes, father."

Tooga turned to Quinn as if to explain. "On her deathbed, the Teacher made us promise that if anymore Outworlders even appeared in this world that we would shelter them and care for them. We Dwellers take our promises very seriously. We live a very long time, all we have is our promises."

The room fell silent.

Jarvan was the first to break it. "As I stated before" he said, looking at his son. "It is our responsibility to offer hospitality and shelter. We shall do so until it is no longer necessary or until our guests decide they no longer want it."

Quinn nodded. "Thank you...your Chiefness".

Jarvan chuckled. "Jarvan will be fine. We do not stand on ceremony here."

Narn glared but said nothing.

"Now with that interesting bit of information out of the way" said the Chief, clearly his throat. "I feel now is the ideal time to discuss what I had wished to discuss later." He looked at Tooga. "I believe this is your expertise, I shall leave this part to you as well."

"Thank you, Highness," said the old woman, ignoring completely what he said about "ceremony" just a few moments ago.

While Tooga waited to explain, Ellara slipped out of the room and soon returned with the rest of their group. Charlie, Jake and Kurt stared around the large meeting room with awe before they were pointed to seats. Sadie was absent but Quinn was certain the little girl was too young to understand. If need be, she'd explain things to her later.

Quinn was quick to note Heather's absence and was happy about it.

"Now that you're all here" said the old woman. "I think it's time I explain the idea of Anointed to you."

"I explained some but Ellara said it would be safer here" added Teia with a happy smile.

"For good reason, child" said the old Elf. "For the Anointed are from the Gods and those who wish to control their powers have eyes and ears everywhere."

The Gods? There it was again.

"Teia mentioned that before" said Quinn "but I'm not sure what your Gods would have to do with us. We're not from this world."

Tooga smiled and nodded. "The Gods have been blessing people with the power of the Anointed for eons. None of us knows why and none of us can detect when and where it might happen. When the first Outworlders appeared, three of them were Anointed, including Teacher. Of the five hundred Dwellers in this village, less than half have been Blessed."

"I have what we call The Touch," explained Teia. "It was what I was able to use on little Sadie. It was also how I was able to tell all of you possessed a gift as well."

"Can you tell what kind of gifts we possess?" asked Kurt, showing interest in something for the first time.

"Yes and no," said Teia, staring at him. "I can only tell if you have used it". She turned her attention to Charlie. "For instance, Charlie has a gift we call Knowledge. It is the same gift that the Teacher had."

At the mention of this, Jarvan and Narn shared a look.

She looked at Jake. "Yours is something we call Rock Skin" She looked at Ethan. We call yours Hawk Eye."

"Wait, mine?" said Ethan, confused. "I haven't used a gift."

Tooga smiled. "Some are easier to see and feel than others. Yours is tied to your skill with the bow. Many of our Scouts have such a gift."

"And Sadie?" asked Quinn, hoping it wasn't something scary that might hurt the girl.

"We've never seen hers before" said Teia "but I know it has something to do with bending light and shadow around herself, disappearing from view."

Quinn had a quick memory. It was the moment she looked into the wardrobe, right before she found Sadie. "Like a shimmer?"

Tooga nodded. "Perhaps. I will need to observe it myself to make sure."

Invisibility.

"What about Quinn?" asked Charlie, realizing no one had said anything.

Tooga stared at Quinn, scrutinizing her. Teia had looked too and while she saw something there, she had not been sure what to call it.

When the old Elven woman spoke, it was cryptic. "She is exactly what we need."

She said no more.

"I think that's enough for now" said Jarvan, interrupting the small discussion. "I think a meal is in order. There will be time later to discuss more things on this".

He stood up, the others did the same. Slowly the Elves started to leave, first Jarvan then Narn. Ellara lingered long enough to order someone to fetch Heather.

Finally it was just the Outworlders alone with Teia and Tooga.

"I wish to discuss this more, perhaps tomorrow?" asked the old woman, Quinn nodded, apparently their unofficial leader in this. "Good. Teia will bring you in the morning."

Then the old woman left.

The group followed her out of the room, Quinn's mind racing with questions she hadn't had the chance to ask. The Teacher, the Anointed, their own gifts...it was all so overwhelming. Yet, there was something about Tooga's words that stuck with her. 'Exactly what we need'. What could that mean?

The dining hall was vast, with long wooden tables and benches that looked like they could seat hundreds. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of battles and triumphs, the vibrant colors of the threads telling a silent story of valor and loss. The room was already filling up with the scent of a hearty stew and the sound of hungry chatter as villagers took their seats. The Outworlders were directed to a table reserved for them, close to the fireplace that roared with a comforting heat.

On the table were plates of food that looked like they had been plucked straight from a fantasy novel: roast beasts with crispy skins, piles of steaming vegetables, and bread that smelled like it had just been pulled from the oven. There were also fruits that glowed with an inner light and dishes filled with a thick, dark sauce that smelled faintly of chocolate and spices. Quinn's eyes widened as she took it all in. The sight was as overwhelming as the story they had just heard.

Elves young and old approached their table, curiosity in their eyes. They asked about the wonders of Earth: the fast metal birds that flew through the sky, the magical devices that allowed humans to speak to each other from afar, and the vast lands beyond the forests. The children were especially fascinated by the concept of ice cream, their eyes lighting up at the thought of something so cold it could melt in your mouth. Quinn chuckled, trying to explain the delight of a hot summer day and a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

The conversation grew quieter as the group finished their meal. The weight of the day's revelations lay heavily on their shoulders. They were not just lost in a strange world; they had been brought here by a cosmic force and had been granted gifts that could change the very fabric of this land. Or so Charlie was enthusiastically telling them, falling into his stories again.

"Miss Quinn" said a soft voice as some approached her.

Quinn turned to find an Elf woman, no older than twenty or so, wearing an elegant yellow silk dress.

"If you would follow me," said the woman. "I will take you to your room."

"My room?" she asked and looked to Ellara for clarification. "I thought we were staying in the Boarding House?"

Jarvan was the one who answered. "We put the children there because there were too many to house here. You are all my honored guests, I can't very well have you staying there."

Quinn wasn't sure how to react to something like that. She was no one special. None of them were. They definitely didn't deserve to be staying in some place as fancy as this.

Teia leaned in close, all but whispering in her ear. "Take him up on the offer. They can't protect you in the Boarding House."

"Protect us from who?" Quinn whispered back.

Teia cast a look across the table toward Narn. Quinn followed her gaze.

"It's safer here," said Teia.

Quinn nodded and then politely accepted Jarvan's offer.

The servant, whose name Quinn had missed, led her from the bustling dining hall into a corridor lined with more of the intricate carvings that adorned the Chief's house. The walls whispered tales of battles and alliances, of love and loss, of a world so much richer than the one she had left behind. The soft light from the glowing mushroom-like sconces painted the walls with a gentle warmth, casting long shadows that danced with the flickering flames. The floor beneath her feet remained the same welcoming stone, but now it was adorned with rugs that looked like they had been woven by the very forest itself, the patterns intertwining in a symphony of greens and browns.

The door to her room was made of the same living wood as the rest of the house, but it was carved with such delicacy that it could have been the entrance to a fairy's abode. Quinn felt a twinge of guilt for the luxury she was about to be granted, remembering the simple bunks at the Boarding House where the other children slept. Yet, as she stepped over the threshold, she couldn't help but be in awe of the chamber that greeted her. It was larger than any room she had ever seen, with a canopy bed that seemed to have been grown from the very branches of the tree. The bed was draped in silk sheets that shimmered like moonlit water, and the pillows looked like clouds. The walls were lined with shelves that held books, scrolls, and what looked like ancient artifacts.

A small fireplace crackled in one corner, casting a warm glow over the plush rug that covered the floor. The room smelled faintly of cinnamon and pine, a comforting scent that reminded her of home.

"Would you like me to draw you a bath?" asked the girl but Quinn shook her head.

Instead she looked longingly at the bed. Though the sun had barely dropped below the horizon, the exhaustion of the day was finally catching up to her.

"I think I just want to sleep," she mumbled.

"Very well. I shall wake you in the morning. Have a good night" said the girl, who bowed and left.

Quinn barely made it to the bed before she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the most comfortable pillow in the world.

******

Charlie:

After dinner, Charlie's curiosity got the better of him. The stories of ancient battles and powerful gifts swirled in his mind like a tempest. He couldn't just retire to his room and let all these new pieces of knowledge sit unexamined. So, he decided to explore the Chief's home. The house was a labyrinth of twisting corridors and open spaces, each telling its own story through intricate carvings and artifacts.

He found himself stumbling upon a large foreboding room. His eyes widened when he realized it was a massive library, the walls lined floor to ceiling with books, scrolls, and tomes that looked as if they had been penned by the gods themselves. The room was dimly lit by a soft glow emanating from the same type of mushroom sconces that adorned the hallways, casting an ethereal light over the countless volumes. The air was thick with the scent of ink and wisdom.

The library was vast and filled with long wooden tables, each one laden with books and parchments. Quills and ink pots stood at the ready, hinting at the scholarly pursuits of the elves. The silence was a stark contrast to the lively dining hall, a hush that spoke of deep contemplation and ancient secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Charlie's eyes darted across the spines of the books, his gift for Knowledge tingling with excitement. He could feel the power of the words within, whispering to him in a language that seemed to have been lost to time. He reached out tentatively, his fingertips brushing against the leather bindings. The letters danced before his eyes, rearranging themselves into familiar shapes as he read the title of a particularly thick tome: "Chronicles of the Anointed."

It was a thick book and while his curiosity gnawed at him, he decided to leave it for now.

Instead, he wandered over to a cozy little corner with a small table and some large comfy chairs. He sat here, pulling out his Scout's Guide journal and started jotting down their journey since leaving the summer camp three days ago. This was the first time in days that he'd felt safe enough to update their adventures. He started writing about meeting the Elves, how he'd been surprised to learn he could understand their language and how he'd been excited to see that for the most part they fit the Elves from his favorite stories.

While he was writing, he didn't notice he wasn't alone.

The candle in the center of the table flickered and Ellara dropped into the chair across from him.

"You found my favorite spot I see" she said, startling him.

He jumped. "You scared me."

She giggled. It was a weird noise to hear from her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you."

Her voice was like a soft melody, one that could soothe the most frenetic of spirits. Ellara's beauty was indeed mesmerizing, but it was her grace that truly held him in thrall. The way she moved, the way she spoke, it was as if she had been born of this ancient tome of knowledge and elegance itself.

Through the flickering candlelight, Ellara's tanned skin looked as if it had been kissed by the warmth of the sun in a way that was utterly foreign to him. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds, hinting at a wisdom beyond her years. And her hair...it was like a waterfall of midnight with glints of gold scattered through it like stars in a moonless sky.

She wasn't wearing the leathers from before, instead she wore a light dress of a material he'd never seen before. It did well to accentuate her curves, something the armor from before had failed to do properly.

She leaned forward, some of that hair now falling into her face.

"What are you writing?" she asked, genuinely interested.

Charlie smiled. "I call it The Scout's Guide to Another World" he said happily, turning the book to show her.

Her eyes widened as she looked over the pages. "You're documenting everything? That's incredible!"

"I've always loved writing," said Charlie, feeling a little embarrassed. "It helps me make sense of things. Plus, if we ever get back home, people will want to know what happened."

If.

Ellara bit her lip. "You know, something like that..."

Charlie sighed. "I know." He took a deep breath. "Where I come from, there are stories of people being transported to other worlds"

"Really?" she asked, brushing some hair behind an ear.

"Well they're fictional, sadly" he explained. "Fantasy tales. I like to read a lot, but I don't have that many friends."

Ellara looked confused. "Aren't Quinn, Jake and Kurt your friends?"

Charlie shrugged. "We're Scouts together sure but we don't really hang out much outside of that".

In fact, Charlie never hung out with the others outside of Scouts. Each of them had their own friends. Quinn and Alex were practically joined at the hip. Jake, Kurt and Ben were their own group too. Charlie had always felt like the odd man out.

Ellara nodded. "I understand. Sometimes it's hard to relate to others when you have a different path in life".

He couldn't help but feel kindred to her in that way. He'd seen it and heard it. While they were traveling here, the other Elves were standoffish to her. He knew very quickly that she was some kind of royalty, even if her father refused to admit it anymore. The other Elves whispered about her when she was out of earshot, calling her "princess" and other things. They were her peers but not really her friends. It was like none of them could really connect with her. He'd seen her staring at them too. It was the same way he stared at everyone too.

"You're right," he said, closing his journal. "Back home, I was always the one with his nose buried in a book. But here, with all of this happening, it's like I'm actually in one of those stories I read. And I can't help but wonder if we're going to find a way back."

Ellara's gaze softened. "You miss your world," she said gently.

"I miss my family," Charlie admitted, his voice cracking slightly.

Ellara smiled and leaned forward, gently grabbing his hand. "Well you have at least one now."

She then quickly realized what she'd done and pulled away, blushing slightly.

Charlie blushed too.

*****

Quinn awoke to the soft chime of dawn light filtering through the leaves outside her window. The unfamiliar comfort of the elven bed lulled her into a brief moment of tranquility before the events of the previous day came crashing back. She sat up, her eyes adjusting to the gentle glow of the room. There, standing by the bath, was the young servant girl from the night before. She had drawn a steaming bath for Quinn, the water suffused with the scent of wildflowers and herbs that filled the air with a refreshing bouquet.

"I'm sorry" she sheepishly, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "I don't remember your name."

"It's Caelia, miss," said the girl with a bow.

"Right," said Quinn, looking beyond the girl to the bath. "Was that here last night?"

" It was brought in before you woke," said the servant. "I will lay out some clothes for you as well."

Quinn nodded, not used to being waited on.

Caelia excused herself and left the room. Quinn was grateful for that. She still wasn't used to this new body of hers and frankly, she was a bit self conscious about someone watching her bath.

Quinn climbed out of bed and approached the floor length mirror in the corner. She took a good look at herself. Her skin was smudged with dirt and grime from their travels, a stark contrast to the pristine cleanliness of the elven village. Her eyes fell to the clothes she had been wearing for what felt like an eternity now. They were Jenny's, borrowed what felt like an age ago. They felt like armor, like a shield against the confusion and fear she had felt since her world had been turned upside down.

With trembling hands, she began to peel off the layers of fabric that had become almost a second skin. The shirt came off first, revealing the sports bra that clung to her newly developed breasts. The bra still felt so foreign, like it wasn't meant to be there. She quickly reminded herself that it was or it would have been in the future. Being transgender seemed like a distant memory to her, almost as if this world had taken her old self and replaced it with this new her. She would never forget it but it didn't feel real either.

She poked one of her new breasts. She hadn't noticed before but they seemed big. Not that she could really judge of course. The only pairs she'd ever truly seen were in movies and those had always seemed larger than life to her. She had wished over and over to have a pair of her own and now that she did, they felt too big.

Did thirteen-year-olds have breasts this big?

She leaned closer to the mirror, pulling off the bra. They were definitely bigger than they should be right? Not only that, her face was slightly different. She wasn't sure but she looked older. How had she not noticed it before? What was up with her hair too? She'd just started letting it grow back home, it was barely past her chin and now it was brushing her shoulders?

She shook it off, maybe she was just over thinking it. Or maybe something else was going on?

As she soaked, the warmth of the water seeped into her bones, melting away the grime of their journey and the weight of her new reality. Her thoughts drifted to her friends, the other scouts, and the mysteries of their new world. She wondered what had happened to Ben and Alex, and what the future held for all of them as the Anointed. The concept still felt surreal, like a dream she hadn't fully woken from yet.

A moment later, Caelia came into the room.

"Pardon the intrusion, miss," said the servant, laying some clothes on the bed. "When you're ready, I can assist with dressing."

Quinn almost turned beat red. "I can dress myself"

Caelia nodded and left the room.

Feeling thoroughly embarrassed, she got out of the tub. There was a towel nearby, she wrapped it around her waist at first but laughed. She readjusted it around her body like a girl should do.

Quinn took a moment to appreciate the clothes Caelia had laid out for her. They were unlike anything she had ever seen before, crafted from a material that was as light as a whisper and as soft as a kitten's fur. The garments were in shades of green and brown that would allow her to blend in with the forest, yet they had an undeniable elegance to them. The tunic looked like it had been woven by a master tailor, the stitches so fine they were almost invisible. The leggings were made of a stretchy fabric that looked like leather but when she touched it, it felt like cotton.

The underwear—if she could call it that—lacked much to be desired though. Sighing, she decided she’d still have to wear the sports bra and panties she had borrowed from Jenny’s bag. Hopefully she could get them washed at some point?

She quickly finished drying off and got dressed. She sighed in comfort, glad to be in clean, fresh clothes again.

Caelia came back into the room carrying a pair of boots.

"These should fit you," she said, holding them out to Quinn.

Quinn took the boots and sat down on the bed to put them on. They were a perfect fit, molding to her feet as if they had been made just for her. She tied the laces tightly and stood up, feeling a surge of gratitude to the elven craftsmanship.

"Thank you, Caelia," Quinn said sincerely, her voice echoing in the quiet of the room.

The servant girl offered a shy smile. "It's my pleasure, Miss. Breakfast will be served in the dining hall shortly."

"I'm starving!" moaned Quinn, her belly rumbling.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door and another servant poked her head in. She said something in Elvish, Caelia nodded.

"Your appetite shall be satiated now" said the servant with a smile.

Caelia led Quinn out of the room and through the dimly lit corridors of the Chief's treehouse, the gentle whispers of the early morning breeze rustling the leaves outside. The path grew wider, hinting at the communal space ahead. As they approached the dining hall, the faint smell of roasting meats and baking bread grew stronger, setting Quinn's stomach to rumble with anticipation.

The grand double doors swung open to reveal a scene that could have been plucked straight from the pages of a high fantasy novel. The room was bathed in the soft light of the dawn, with the same mushroom sconces casting an otherworldly glow over the polished wooden surfaces. The table, large enough to seat an army of elves, was set with an assortment of plates, goblets, and cutlery that shimmered in the early light. Only a few places were occupied, and Quinn's eyes immediately found Charlie, his nose buried in a book at the far end of the table.

Ellara looked up from a plate piled high with what looked like a fruit Quinn had never seen before. Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she took in Quinn's new attire. "Ah, I see you've embraced the elven fashion," she said with a nod of approval. "It suits you."

"My old clothes were rank" she admitted, dropping into one of the many empty seats. "They probably could stand up on their own."

"That would be a sight I'm sure" said Teia with a laugh.

"Quinn!" chirped Mel, happy to see her new friend.

Quinn smiled back. Mel's enthusiasm was infectious.

"Where are the others?" she asked, referring to the rest of their group.

"Ethan went to the Boarding House to spend some time with Jenny" said Charlie, not looking up from his book. "Jake, Kurt and Heather decided to join some of Ellara's men in their morning routine."

At the mention of the Boarding House, Quinn made a quick mental note to visit as soon as breakfast was over. She had a Sadie size hole in her heart that needed to be filled. She had felt a little bad last night that they just left the poor little girl behind like that. The longing for Sadie was triggering a maternal side that was growing particularly fond of since meeting the little girl.

"Which reminds me," said Teia, pausing to bite into one of those fruits. "Master Tooga wants to see Quinn after lunch."

Quinn's stomach sank. "Just me?"

Teia nodded then took another bit of her fruit.

Great.

She finished breakfast quickly and made her way back to the Boarding House.

The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by a much happier Sadie. The little girl's eyes lit up like twin stars when she saw Quinn, and she dashed across the room to throw her arms around the young woman's waist.

"Quinn!" she squealed with delight. "You're back!"

Quinn knelt down to hug her back, feeling the warmth of her small body against her own. "Of course, I am," she said with a gentle smile. "How have you been?"

Sadie looked up at her with her wide, innocent eyes. "Good!" she exclaimed. "But I've missed you so much!"

Missed me? She'd only been gone a single night.

Quinn felt a warmth spread through her chest as she held the little girl close. It had been less than twelve hours or so since they'd seen each other, but the joy in Sadie's eyes was as if she had returned from a year-long journey. It was strange, this bond she had formed with a girl she had only met a few days ago. But then again, everything was strange these days.

Sadie chattered away, introducing Quinn to the other children at the Boarding House. They were all so different, yet so much the same. Lost in a world that wasn't their own, trying to make the best of it. Quinn couldn't remember all their names but was glad that Sadie was able to reconnect finally with her summer camp friends.

"It hasn't been easy" said Jessie, wandering over while the girls were off playing a little game with some Elf kids.

"For any of us" added Quinn, meaning to connect with Jessie. "How bad was it?"

Jessie shrugged. "Good at first. The Elves explained the time thing. It sounds like we were transported to a few weeks before you guys. The whole camp spent weeks in the forest before those things attacked. Sadie tells me that Mr. Harris is your friend?"

Quinn nodded. "Our Scout Master."

"He was a lifesaver. If it wasn't for him, I'm not sure what would have happened to us" said Jessie, crossing her arms protectively.

"What did happen?" asked Quinn, only seeing the after effects.

"It was bad," said Jessie, rubbing her arms. "They came out of nowhere. They killed the Camp Director and the doctor before we saw them. Then they came pouring in. Mr. Harris and his friend, Bernie, fought them off as best as they could. Then they killed Bernie".

Bernie was the bus driver, Quinn remembered.

"We got pushed further back into the camp, that's when Jenny ran off when she noticed Sadie was missing" Jessie sighed. "We didn't know she could poof vanish back then. I didn't see Jenny again until after. Somewhere in the chaos, the Elves came."

Jessie started to shake, Quinn rubbed her arm.

"That's good enough" she said, Jessie nodded. "We buried everyone"

"Thank you" said Jessie, tearing up a bit.

Quinn nodded solemnly. "It's okay. We're here now."

The two of them joined the girls in their play, a mix of elf children and human campers, their laughter and shouts a stark contrast to the heavy conversation that lingered in the air. For a brief moment, it was almost easy to forget the horrors that had brought them to this alien world. The simplicity of the games was a balm to Quinn's soul, allowing her to just be a kid again, even if it was in a place where she didn't belong.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting shadows that grew shorter and the air warmed to a perfect temperature, the smell of cooking food began to waft over from the kitchens. It was a comforting scent, reminiscent of campfires and outdoor feasts, and it signaled that lunch was near. Quinn felt a pang of hunger and glanced over at Jessie, who had been watching her with a knowing look.

"You should eat something," Jessie said gently. "You've got a big meeting coming up."

Quinn nodded, her stomach rumbling in agreement. They made their way to the kitchen where a group of elf women were busy preparing the midday meal. The sight of the bustling kitchen was comforting, reminiscent of the camp kitchens back home. The smells were different, more exotic, but the warmth and comfort of food being made with love was universal. They sat down at a small table and were soon served steaming plates of food. Quinn picked at her meal, her thoughts racing with what awaited her at Master Tooga's hut.

After what felt like an eternity, Teia arrived, her expression serious. "It's time," she said, her voice a gentle command.

Quinn took a deep breath and stood up, waving goodbye to Jessie and the children. As they walked through the village, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the Elven stares on her. They were curious about the newcomers, especially the one who was to be taken to the great sage. Teia walked with a sense of purpose, leading Quinn through the maze of wooden bridges and walkways that connected the tree houses. The closer they got to the center of the village, the more ornate the buildings became. The carvings grew more intricate, the materials more luxurious. It was clear that Master Tooga's hut was not just any dwelling.

Finally, they reached the hut. It was nestled in a clearing, surrounded by a ring of ancient trees that seemed to whisper secrets to the breeze. The door was made of a single piece of polished oak, adorned with runes that gleamed in the sunlight. Teia rapped three times on the wood, and after a moment, it swung open, revealing a room filled with the scent of incense and the faint sound of chanting. Inside, the old elf sat at a table laden with scrolls, potions, and arcane devices.

Tooga smiled at Quinn. "Welcome my dear" she said warmly, pointing to a wicker-looking chair. "Sit and we can finish last night's conversation."

Quinn took the offered seat. "You mean about my gift?"

Master Tooga nodded. "Your gift is something special, something we have not seen in a very long time."

"And something we wanted to keep from prying ears" added Teia with a grunt.

By prying ears, Quinn assumed she meant Narn. The man was clearly not an admirer of theirs.

Tooga nodded before continuing. "We call your gift, The Hunter."

The Hunter?

She supposed that made a lot of sense. After all, it did feel like she had some strange otherworldly tracking sense. That part she understood, it was the other part...the one that scared her. That insane battle fury of hers that took over and turned her into some kind of killing machine.

"I see the concern etched on your face, child" said the old woman. "It is the same that many in your position have had over the years."

Quinn wondered if the old Elf could read minds too?

"How many people like me have there been?" she asked, wondering if perhaps someone could help her figure out how to control this killing urge.

"For as long as we've been recording Anointed" Tooga took a pause. "Two, including yourself."

Two? So only one other person besides herself.

“And this other person, are they…” she asked, hoping for a good answer.

Tooga sighed. “It was a very long time ago.”

So there it was, she was on her own.

Seeing the look of distress on Quinn's face, Tooga gently squeezed her hand.

"This is not a lost cause child" she said with a reassuring tone. "I have mentored many Anointed on the use of their gifts. While I might not know how to quell this blood lust you fear, I can perhaps help you control it and figure out when it might come about."

Quinn scoffed. "That part is easy."

Quinn quickly told Tooga a rough outline of events from the moment they were transported here to the moment they arrived safely in the village. She detailed her slaughtering of the goblins to save Charlie, finding Mackk and Ethan, spending the night at the ranger's station losing both Mack and Keith. She continued the tale with their time in the summer camp, reuniting with Jake and Kurt, meeting Heather then finally their journey here with the Elves. Including her gruesome second encounter with Grunks where she lost control again.

When she was finished, the old woman pondered her words carefully. "You say your Hunter instinct kicked in when the garkels (goblins) were trying to hurt Charlie and again when those Grunks tried to harm Mel?" Quinn nodded, it was hard to forget. "But not when you were being attacked at the ranger station?"

It hadn't even occurred to her at the time but Tooga was right. Why didn't it kick in when her life was in danger?

"I don't understand," she said.

"If I had to guess, I'd say you truly wanted to save your friends and that's what triggered your "bloodlust" as you call it." The old Elf smiled as she spoke these words.

Quinn pondered that. It was true she hadn't felt the rage when the Grunks were attacking her and the others at the ranger station. She had felt scared, terrified even. But it was only when they were attacking someone she cared about that it seemed to manifest. How had she not seen it? Most likely because she was just so lost in the moment and so terrified of herself afterward.

"It's like... it's like I'm a mama bear protecting her cubs" she murmured.

Master Tooga nodded. "It is a fierce instinct, but it can be channeled. It is a double-edged sword, child. It can bring you peace or destruction. The key is knowing when to unsheath it."

And how to control it, she thought but didn't voice that aloud.

"So how do I learn to use it properly?" she asked, ready and waiting.

Tooga smiled. "I will teach you of course."

For the next three weeks, Quinn and her friends woke to the sound of the distant elf bells that marked the start of the day. The routine was simple yet structured. After breakfast, they'd make their way to Tooga's hut. The lessons were grueling, pushing them to understand and control their newfound powers. Quinn learned to recognize the subtle signs that triggered her 'Hunter' instinct, focusing on the emotions that arose when someone she cared for was threatened.

Master Tooga was a patient teacher, her eyes gleaming with wisdom as she guided them through ancient texts and rigorous exercises. Each member of the group discovered their unique gift, and while Quinn's was the most volatile, she wasn't the only one who had to learn to harness their abilities. After an accident during one of the lessons, they found out that Kurt actually had a healing ability. His training became just as intense as Quinn's.

Ethan had different training too.

He not only worked with Tooga but he and Jake had also taken to training with Ellara's scouts on a daily basis too. After a week of just watching, Quinn joined them as well. She was bound and determined to control Hunter and learn to wield it properly.

Her practice paid off at the beginning of the third week when she was fighting Qosa in a hand-to-hand exercise. The Elf was much stronger, quicker and far more skilled. In a moment of pure adrenaline, her "battle" instinct kicked in. It was like a switch had been flipped. Time slowed down, allowing Quinn to anticipate and counter each of Qosa's movements with an uncanny precision. Her muscles burned and her mind raced, but she felt alive in a way she never had before.

When it felt like she would lose herself to it, she felt control like a switch. In a fluid motion, she swept Qosa's legs out from under him and pinned him to the ground. She was on top of him, panting. She never felt so alive. Ellara and Mel clapped from the sidelines, Qosa was embarrassed. Even Bren seemed pretty amused by it. When Quinn climbed off him, she noticed Narn had been watching as well.

He was glaring as usual. Then turned and walked off.

Heather came sauntering over and slowly helped Quinn to her feet. "He's been watching us a lot" she said, following Narn's receding back with her eyes.

Quinn nodded, wiping the sweat off her brow. "He thinks we're dangerous."

Heather scoffed. "More like he wishes we were".

Living in the village had changed Heather for the better. Now that she was no longer keeping them alive, she'd lowered her guard a lot and turned out to be a decent person. The Elves had seen it too and were very relieved. She even allowed them to keep her shotgun for "safekeeping" until she needed it.

Quinn was glad to see it.

Quinn wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her arm before wandering over to wear Mel was currently sitting on a wooden bench.

Mel took a swig from a canteen before offering it to Quinn. She took it gratefully, the water cold and refreshing after the intense spar. She took a long drink before handing it back. "Thanks" she said, catching her breath.

"Your hair," Mel said, gesturing to the now mid-back length strands that had grown out over the past three weeks, "it's definitely getting longer."

Quinn reached up to feel the soft waves that had replaced her short locks. The sensation was strange, but she had to admit, she liked the way it felt. It was a constant reminder that she was in a place where time and biology didn't quite play by the same rules she was used to. "It's weird," she said, half to herself. "But I guess that's just one more thing to get used to."

She didn't mention how it had been chin length when they first arrived here. Hair shouldn't grow this fast in such a short period of time.

"It's one of those strange things in the forest," added Mel. "It seems to affect different people in different ways."

Quinn nodded, wondering what else had changed. Her hand absentmindedly went to her hair again. "I guess we're not in Kansas anymore."

"What's Kansas?" asked Mel, giving her the typical confused look.

Quinn thought about explaining but what was the point. "Never mind," she said with a laugh.

Mel just shrugged it off, "Come on, let's go check on the kids."

They found the campers in a clearing playing a game of catch with glowing balls that floated in the air. The children's laughter was like music to Quinn's ears. She watched as Mel effortlessly joined in, her movements as graceful as ever.

It was strange really. In a lot of ways, Mel was much like a typical teenager. It was hard for Quinn to forget that they were in a different world and that Mel was a completely different species. She was so much like the girls that Quinn used to admire from afar and dream of being one day. When she first met Mel, she had considered just being a mutual acquaintance. Except Mel was hard to ignore, she was like energy itself.

Those first three days of knowing her made Quinn feel warm and special inside. Now after weeks, it was like the two of them had been friends their whole lives.

Quinn and Mel had started a daily routine of visiting the Boarding House to eat with the campers. It was a place of refuge for Quinn, a reminder of the life she left behind and the friends she'd made. The children looked up to her, and she found strength in their innocent smiles.

Sadie was finally back to being a normal kid too. Quinn was always happy to see her happy, running and laughing with the other kids. Most of the summer campers were carefree. Kids were versatile like that. They knew things were bad and she had seen some of them crying for their parents but they were on the whole a strong lot. Some of the Elven parents were stepping up too---mothers caring for crying younglings, fathers taking the boys to do boy things. It was easy to see that the community here took care of their own and they adopted these kids quickly.

"It's sad really" said Mel as they sat on a bench, watching Sadie and some of the girls playing. "These kids...being pulled from all they knew...away from their families. It's not fair."

Quinn nodded. "It hasn't been easy."

She wanted to add her own frustrations but she was sure Mel knew. It was hard not too after all. The summer camp kids had been here for almost three months now, according to Jessie's understanding. Quinn and her friends were just coming on a month now themselves. It was a hard thing to adjust to. They were getting there though, little by little.

There were some problems here and there. Charlie moaning about his lack of books and the Internet. Jake and Kurt whining about the lack of TV and their beloved video games. Even Ethan, even though he now had his sister, Jenny, was still acting like he lost the world. Well he had, they all had. Quinn even found herself pulling out her phone from time to time, the battery had died long ago but she still kept checking it for the time or the weather or even missed texts or calls.

That was all gone now. She had slowly accepted that it probably wasn't coming back either.

Quinn watched the children play for a moment longer before she turned to Mel. "You know," she said, her voice a mix of wonder and sadness, "I never thought I'd miss my old life this much."

Mel looked at her, her eyes understanding. "You're finding yourself here, Quinn. It's only natural to miss where you came from."

Mel's words held comfort for her until at least dinner.

Dinner started out well enough. All of them were gathered once again at the large table in the dining hall. The conversation was light and without conflict. Jarvan was very interested in how the training with Tooga was going, asking if they all had yet to master their Anointed gifts. Jake of course was more excited to talk about training with the scouts. Without their games and TV, her scout buddies were now fully focused on other means to get out their pent up aggression.

But as usual, Narn was sitting next to his father as usual, glaring at them. His arms folded tight across his chest and his jaw clenched. He looked like he had just bitten into a rotten apple. It was clear that he wasn't happy. His anger had been simmering since they first arrived and it was reaching a boiling point.

The Chief noticed the tension and decided to address it. "Narn," he said calmly, "I know you have your reservations about our new guests but they are our guests and we are honor bound to aid them where we must."

"Aiding them?' Narn spit it out like it had a nasty taste. "We're not aiding them father, we're teaching them how to betray us!"

Jarvan sighed, clearly fed up with his son's unreasonable manner. "What would you have us do?"

"Lock them up, at the very least! They're dangerous and we can't trust them!" Narn's voice grew louder with each word, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table.

"Let me prove themselves then," said Ellara, speaking up for the first time. "I have been standing idly by, listening to you gripe like a woman, skulking in the shadows like a thief. If you truly believe that are not worth your time, let them prove otherwise."

Narn scoffed, crossing his arms. "Nothing they do is ever going to convince me"

"Let them scout," said a voice from near the door.

Quinn turned her head and saw Bren coming in. It was his usual time to come in and deliver his scouting report for the day. He turned to Quinn and winked. Their relationship was completely different ever since she saved Mel. Now she could almost consider Bren a friend. He'd been training with her a lot and told her how much she impressed him. He'd also been trying to convince her to join a scouting party for a week now.

Narn looked like he was about to protest but changed his mind. His face perked up and he looked directly at Quinn. "Not them," he said slyly. "Just her."

"What?" spit Ethan, kicking into protective mode.

That was something else that had been changing too. Quinn wasn't sure what to think of it or how to react to it.

"If you mean for them to prove themselves" continued Narn, more controlled and collected now. "Let them do so. I've seen that one train, she is far better than the rest. Tomorrow, my men are setting out on their rotation. Let her accompany them"

Quinn saw calculation behind her eyes. She looked at Ellara, she saw it too. They both knew her brother was probably up to something. Quinn was convinced he wouldn't go as far as to harm her but maybe he was planning to have his men abandon her or something. It definitely wasn't a smart thing to go off into the forest alone with them.

Jarvan rubbed his chin. "I might consider a feat but only if your sister were to accompany her."

Narn was ready for that. "That is hardly the point father. With Ellie there, how then will this human prove her worth?"

"Then my sister" Bren added, standing close to Quinn now, his presence looming and protective as well.

Jarvan smiled, nodding. "It's settled then. Tomorrow morning, Quinn and Mel will accompany Narn's hunters into the forest on their scouting duties."

Narn looked as if he was going to protest but a look from his father shut him up.

Shit, thought Quinn.

But at least she'd have Mel with her.

Dinner after that was definitely soured by Narn. Everyone retired early.

Back in her room, Quinn sat on her bed, her thoughts racing. The soft light of the moon shone through the window, casting an eerie glow across the room. She had a lot to think about. This was all bluster and bravado on Narn's part. The guy was an ass but he did have a right to be so cautious of them. After all, the last Outworlders did use their technology to wage war and destroy their civilization. That didn't mean she liked the guy though. She hated him even more now.

She was also very convinced he was going to have his men try something too.

Grunting, she retrieved her pack from the top of the dresser where it been sitting. She barely looked at it now. She brought it back over to the bed and started rummaging through it, wondering if there was anything still inside. She quickly pulled out a few granola bars, a couple of missed candy bars from the summer camp vending Mackkhine raid and her fingers brushed something cold and steel.

The color drained from her face.

Keith's gun.

She pulled her hand away quickly, scared. She'd completely forgotten about it. She remembered Mack slipping it in there, giving her a look. She knew what he wanted. It was no doubt meant to be a last resort to protect. Honestly, she had meant to give it to Heather. She was still a kid after all. She didn't know how to use it and it was definitely too dangerous. Plus, it did add to Narn's theory that they were dangerous too.

She bit her lip, wondering what to do.

She was interrupted by a knock on the door. Panicking, she tossed the pack on the floor. She quickly jumped off the bed and rushed over to the door. She paused before opening, trying to catch her breath and calm her rapidly beating heart.

A moment later, she opened it to find Mel standing there.

"I brought this for you!" said her friend excitedly, showing Quinn a set of brown leathers like the ones that she and Ellara wore. "Now you look like you belong!"

Quinn smiled. At least one of them was excited about tomorrow's expedition.

"Thanks" Quinn said truthfully, taking the garments from her friend.

Mel frowned. "You don't seem happy?"

Quinn rubbed the back of her head. "This is all Narn's doing."

Mel rolled her eyes. "He's always been difficult. He's a schemer. Even as a child, he twisted and turned his way about things. He likes things the way he likes them and stomps his feet where he can't have it. This is him stomping like usual."

Quinn smirked. "I don't think this is a tantrum."

Mel shrugged. "Regardless, I'll be there with you tomorrow. Nothing bad will happen". Mel nudged her shoulder. "We got this."

Her friend then turned and left, bouncing down the hall. Quinn watched her then closed the door. She sighed heavily. She wished she had Mel's enthusiasm. More than that, she wished she had more insurance. She thought about it as she carried the leather top and leggings over to her bed, laying them gently on the bedside table. Then she bent down and picked up her pack. She looked inside, seeing the gun at the bottom of it.

Mel might be right and tomorrow everything might go perfectly.

But in this world, in her experience, nothing ever went the way it was meant too.

To Be Continued.

Author’s note: As I’m sure all of you know, comments are life blood to an author. I’m not begging or demanding, but I certainly would appreciate anything you have to say (or ask). It doesn’t have to be long and involved, just give me your reaction to the story. Thanks in advance...EOF