The sun rose, announcing a new day.
Our group finally reached their promised destination despite the long journey.
Jesse stopped suddenly. Before him stood a gargantuan wall of scrap and metal, stretching 30 meters high and 90 meters wide. In the center was a massive wooden gate large enough to accommodate an entire truck.
They all got out of the car, their eyes cast upward at the Great Wall standing before them.
The injured girl's condition had improved, and she had returned to her former self. She stepped out of the car, her eyes fixed on the ground and her hands clutching each other.
She slowly raised her gaze toward the Black man and said in a shaky, faint tone: "Th-thank you for saving me."
The man turned to her with a casual, non-serious expression, causing the girl to quickly return her gaze to the ground.
The man replied: "You're welcome."
Mira stepped toward the gate and gave it five distinct knocks.
A small slot opened in front of her, revealing a pair of human eyes. They scrutinized Mira for several seconds before the slot closed again.
The sound of a heavy iron lock moving followed, and then the massive iron gate opened with a sharp creak.
A tall man emerged wearing entirely grey military fatigues and a metal helmet of the same color. He nodded his head to Mira, who then signaled for the group to advance.
Meanwhile, the warmth of the sunlight made Jesse feel a sense of relief and safety as he looked toward the sky. However, a strange sound caught his attention—a sound he hadn't heard for many years.
He lowered his eyes to find himself in a place resembling a village, where huts and shops existed in massive numbers, crowded with people, all enclosed by the massive scrap walls surrounding the settlement.
His pupils dilated, and his facial expression froze. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "How much time has passed since I saw this many human beings? 10 years? 20? I haven't seen this many people since I separated from my old group. This gives me a strange feeling."
The people passing in front of him looked at him with expressions of surprise, and some changed their direction to stay away from him.
After a while, the Black man grabbed Jesse by the shoulder and shook him to bring him back to his senses. "Hey man, wake up! What happened to you? Two minutes have passed and you're looking at the people here like a madman."
Jesse regained his composure and apologized for his distraction. Mira began calling out to the villagers, who started gathering around them. The noise of the crowd subsided, and silence took over the place.
Mira looked out with wide eyes and a slight smile: "Welcome, my dear people. After 20 years, we have finally found new people who are still enduring the hardships of the outside world—people with experience and a rare talent for survival like you have never seen before."
Some citizens began talking amongst themselves, their voices spreading through the area, while others remained indifferent. Some spoke to their friends, while others looked at the boy and the rest with disdain.
One citizen stepped forward and spoke up: "Well, there are people who can use pistols; that isn't anything special. Besides, are we in a position to bring more people into this village?"
Mira looked at him with a mocking smile: "Not anything special? These people managed to kill a 'Varigan' easily."
The eyes of those present widened, and the sound of awe filled the place. "What? Did they kill a Varigan?" "Is this a joke, ma'am!" "Impossible! Even if ten of us gathered, we wouldn't be able to kill one."
A slight smile appeared on the man who had stepped forward earlier, and he lowered his head apologetically toward them. "I am sorry for underestimating you and for my previous words."
A huge grin spread across the Black man's face when he saw the citizens impressed by him, while the boy continued to look at the crowds of people with bewilderment.
Mira turned toward them, asking them to introduce themselves. The Black man stepped forward first with a small smile and began to speak: "My name is Nicholas Draco, pleased to meet you."
The citizens turned their gaze toward the girl, who was feeling a bit embarrassed. She lowered her head and said in a fragile tone: "My name is Jenny Rose, pleased to meet you."
After she finished, Jesse stepped forward, placed his hand on his chest, and began to speak with a hint of enthusiasm in his voice: "My name is Jesse Thornfield, I am glad to meet you."
When he finished, all eyes turned toward the boy, who was curiously watching a worm on the ground. Everyone was puzzled as to why he didn't introduce himself.
Jesse handled the situation, telling them: "I'm sorry for the boy's behavior, but he is mute and cannot speak. However, his name is..."
Jesse paused for a few seconds, remembering that he himself didn't know the boy's name, and started thinking. "Okay, I have to think of a name quickly to make the others call him something so he doesn't seem like a stranger."
Jesse remained silent for several seconds, then slowly raised his gaze and smiled, coming up with a new idea: "His name is Ethan Thornfield. He is my younger brother."
Jesse took a deep breath, saying to himself: "It won't be so bad to let them think he's my little brother."
Mira raised her hand to Jesse, saying: "Welcome to our group. I hope you like the place here."
Jesse raised his hand and shook hers with a small smile, saying: "I hope so."
(The End)