Chapter 81 - Lead

6:30 PM. Twilight is falling.

A perimeter, already searched by the guardians without the slightest success or clue, leaves them in a state of deep perplexity. The lack of leads brings them back to their own questions, leaving a lingering sense of doubt.

At a full gallop, Gwen desperately tries to find an alternative, to flush out a new approach. But even as her thoughts grow more refined, Ay, positioned just behind her, reaches out her arm to press on the neck rein, thus encouraging the horse to turn in the opposite direction. This sudden change in direction snapped her out of her reflections.

_ Gwen: " Why don't we take this path? "

_ Ay: " It's a high-risk area; a group of malicious Recluses owns these lands. The kids aren't stupid enough to go there. "

_ Gwen: " What if they’ve been captured? "

_ Ay: " We would have heard about it. In these situations, most of them are stationed as scouts to keep watch, making sure they aren't disturbed. "

_ Gwen: " How do you know all that? "

A sigh escapes.

_ Ay: " Have you already forgotten that I’m a thief above all else? They were one of my targets. Besides, their methods are pretty well-known among the Recluses. "

_ Gwen: " … "

_ Ay: " I can even give you the name of their camp. "

_ Gwen: " No, that’s okay. "

Scanning the surroundings mechanically, she continued.

_ Ay: " Regardless, they can't be here. Let's look elsewhere. "

_ Gwen: " Alright. "

After only a few minutes, the riders spotted a group of four Recluses walking in the opposite direction in the distance. An idea immediately began to take root.

_ Ay: " Look over there, Recluses, and they’re unarmed. "

_ Gwen: " Yes, let's ask them for some information. "

Closer now, they could clearly make out each of their faces, but one of them caught their attention. A deep scar marked his cheek, and he wore a brilliant red bandage on his arm that was impossible to ignore.

_ Gwen: “ Excuse me, have you come across any children lately? ” she said, without much conviction.

_ Blaike: “ If you’re talking about a pack of brats, then yeah. “

Surprise was written all over the two riders' faces; in a single movement, they exchanged a bewildered glance before turning their attention back to the Recluse.

_ Ay: " Really?? "

_ Gwen: " Give us a physical description of at least two of the children. "

_ Blaike: " Hmm… there was a kid with a mohawk and a little girl with a huge afro. "

_ Member 1: “ Ohh yeah, the one on crutches. “

_ Member 2: " I remember. "

Though expressionless at first glance, a slow but steady hope is awakening in the hearts of the guardians.

_ Ay: " It must be Son and Shailly! "

_ Gwen: " No doubt about it, they definitely came through here. "

The doctor, still reeling from the good news, perceived the following information with a brutal delay, like an unexpected blow.

_ Ay: " Wait, did you just say 'the one with the crutch'?? "

_ Member 1: " Yes, that being said, I have no idea how she got hurt. "

She lets her gaze drift, her eyes staring into the void, before annoyance rises within her, inexorably.

_ Ay: " Shit, they’ve had some serious shit happen. "

Then, look at his partner from behind.

_ Ay : “ We seriously need to get a move on, Gwen. ”

_ Gwen : “ Where did you last see them? ” she continued, her eyes still fixed on the Recluses.

_ Blaike : “ I escorted them to the entrance of the North Zone and left them there. ”

Eyes widen.

_ Gwen: " You escorted them? "

_ Ay: " To the entrance of the North Zone?? "