"Drake, where are you going?" a voice comes from behind me. I turn to see them, and it's Owens brother. Garlian. "Garlian? When did you care about where I go?" I snap.

Me and Garlian haven't been much of friends. Especially since Owen was killed. It's as if we're almost enemy's. "Whoa, no need to get harsh," he says. "I was asking because you just got back. You've been gone for days. Everyone at school is in a commotion."

"What?" I ask. "Yeah, surprisingly a lot of people liked you at school," he replies. I raise my eyebrow, and he immediately knows what I was thinking. "Oh, no, they don't like you like that. They just thought you were cool." he says, unhesitating before speaking. "Oh. Okay." I respond.
We pause for a couple seconds before anyone can improvise what to say.

"So, tell me Drake," he starts up. "Where have you been heading out to?" he asks, leaning against a tree, and crossing his arms. I tell him everything. About my parents missing, meeting Ellie, the bitten boy, the village ruins, and the truth I have just found out. "Wow," he says. "You were on quite an adventure, weren't you?"

"I guess you could say that," I reply. "Well, Drake, I wish you luck." he finishes, and starts to walk off.

"Wait," I start. He turns and looks at me. "You're... wishing me luck? Out of all the people that could have problems like this, you would with me luck?" I ask, very concerned.

"Well, yeah. Why not?" he asks.
"Uh... no reason," I say. He sighs, and fully turns his body to face me. "Drake, I know that we haven't been the best of friends-" he cuts himself off. "Well, we haven't been friends at all... but that doesn't mean we can't hope the best for each other. Right?" he says.

"Yeah. You're right," I say.
"Okay then. Stay safe, dude." Garlian walks off, and slips inside his home. I sigh, and start going on my way.
Maybe Garlian isn't that bad, I think to myself.

A couple hours later, I find myself looking up at Ellie's treehouse. I thought about seeing if she'd want to come along, but I thought I shouldn't. So, I went on my way. The rest of the way, I was nervous. I had decided to visit he palace, as it was at least a couple miles away from the village. And it's the only place where I can get the correct answers.

Soon I stop by a beautiful pond, sparkling in the evening sunlight, as the sun hangs low. Lily Pads float on the water, fish swim around with small water bugs on the wet surface of the pond. With tadpoles and everything.
I was in a small opening in the wood, so I decide to set up camp there.

I set up a fire, a sleeping bag, and I eat some of my mothers berries. I laid, counting stars, and thinking about what I should do in the morning. Should I eat breakfast? Skip breakfast? Immediately just go? Stay a bit?

It took a little bit before I made up my mind, and filled my water container up to the top. Then I lied down once more, and fell asleep to the sound of crickets.