Traveler had remained calm and soft, allowing himself to adjust his weight as needed as he continued to feel his head pound. Monkey was seemingly more open to him, though she made it clear that he was not out of the clear just yet, which he understood. As much as he wanted to break out of here, he simply didn't. There was a valid reason he was here, and one that he could not deny. She made that a focal point, and Traveler knew he would not argue. While he may not have been guilty that day, he was other days, and this would be his punishment that God willed. And maybe one day, his final punishment would be death.

Traveler could sense her hesitation with the knife and map, though did not force her to take it or try to shove them to her from his own grasp. They were making good progress, at least to Traveler, and he would not have a change of heart all of a sudden.

"Your father..." Traveler trailed off for a moment. "Is he your leader?" He finally asked, curious about how the group was run. They had a decent number of people, and on top of that, a lot of areas to cover. Traveler never noticed how often they would be out and about, scouting and scavenging, but considering that they found him, he thought that maybe they had routine. The area was generally quiet, though a few people like Traveler - being carried by the wind and will - could easily be found in the same predictament he was.

Traveler nodded. "Some places are a bit further than you think. I'm not sure if having expeditions is in everyone's best interest," Traveler said softly. While he wasn't trying to seem like a doubtful man, he knew that taking away people from their homes to see places he had already been and relive those memories would be questionable. Traveler had no intent of harming anyone as he was only complying, praying he would get out to find his son. He knew asking for help would be the last thing they would probably accept, but Monkey knew of his son now, and perhaps she could make some mention of him to the others. That made him feel connected in a different way. Something of honest and purity, soft and gentle. It gave a sense of hope, even if there was the chance it would slip away.

Traveler felt relaxed despite his confinement. He clicked his tongue. "Thank you," he replied, looking at her. "Despite this cell, this might be the best hospitality I've had in a while," Traveler then joked, slightly laughing. He wasn't lying either. Out of the weather, it wasn't too hot or too cold... sure he was starving, thirsty, but that's what everyone's issue was so at least he knew he wasn't alone in that aspect. The thought was calming in a way. Even though he was trapped, he found a comfort. Maybe he wasn't as negative as he thought.

Traveler nodded and offered another small smile. He noticed her pause when his hand was extended forwards for her, but he remained patient and would move it back to his side if she didn't take it. But he watched as she extended her own arm, embracing his calloused hand in her own, and shaking it. His grip was not harsh but not too light - just enough, and he shook her hand before letting go and dropping his arm to his side yet again. Traveler looked towards her, hearing her speak again. He nodded yet again, not saying anything, knowing that her point was real and valid. Her tone was not harsh or rude, but assertive and forward. Traveler exhaled softly, shaking his head yet again.

"I'll be here," he said gently, offering a small smile before she had exited the room.

Traveler was grateful these people were still sane. He had witnessed the horrors of what freedom does to a person, which was seemingly ironic. God granted that free will, and this was a world with no rules. Children separated from their parents, men and woman forced to do hard work, groups terrorizing anyone they can. Traveler had seen women hunted for sport and children being forced to chase after her, only to be killed as well. Traveler saw people hung from branches and used as threats to turn around and leave. But this terror was not in this place.

He wished his son could see it.

Traveler had sat back down in the cell, legs extended and his hands in his lap. He fiddled with his fingers for a moment, looking down at them. He thought about his son and how scared he must be if he wasn't already dead. Traveler had a feeling that once he found him, he would no longer be his son, but rather a victim of horror. Traveler would love him anyways, regardless of anything. His son was an extension of him, and his only reason for living. Should Traveler discover that he was no longer here or no longer him, it would at least be closure he rightfully deserved. He closed his eyes for a moment, leaning his head against the cold wall, starting to grow restless. He glanced towards the door and the bars of the cell, biting the inside of his cheek.

Traveler moved his way towards the bars of the door, looking out into the confined space. There was nothing he could use to open the lock or to break it. His pack was too far away to reach, closest to the door on the outside, which he could not grasp. He grunted softly, in defeat, knowing that if he tried anything it would risk his chances at all of getting out of here. He sighed at the thought, sitting back down and staring blankly at the wall in front of him.

Tess’s footsteps echoed through the silent hall, each step feeling heavier than the last as she made her way to her father’s quarters. The air was thick with the hum of activity in the background, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the uncertainty that had followed her since leaving Traveler’s cell. There had been no immediate clarity, no answers to make her feel more certain about the choices before her. Nothing about this situation was simple. Her chest tightened as she thought about what she had just learned from Traveler: his son, the journey through destroyed lands, the battles with their enemies. All of it was a mess of confusion, but there was something in Traveler’s eyes that made her think—just for a second—that he might be telling the truth.

She wasn’t sure what she expected when she walked away from the cell—maybe some sense of relief, or a clear path to follow. Instead, she felt a gnawing unease. It wasn’t just the uncertainty of Traveler’s words, but the entire world they were living in. A world where trust had become a rare commodity, and suspicion was often the only thing keeping people alive. Tess had grown up in this harsh environment, learning to survive by questioning everything, trusting no one. It was a survival mechanism, one that had served her well in the past. But Traveler didn’t fit into this world. He didn’t seem to want anything. He didn’t demand anything from her. He just seemed... tired. Defeated.

Standing in front of her father’s door, Tess took a deep breath. She wasn’t ready for this conversation—not ready to ask her father to trust someone they had locked away only hours earlier, someone who was involved with their enemies. The thought made her chest tighten even more, but she couldn’t ignore the truth of what Traveler had shared. He was a man with a purpose, a father searching for his son, and there might be something to his story. But the weight of her father’s leadership, the burden of his decisions, sat heavy on her shoulders as she hesitated for a moment longer. This wasn’t just about survival—it was about trust, and that wasn’t something to be given lightly.

With a soft knock, she opened the door. “Come in,” her father’s familiar voice called out, gruff but warm with the unspoken understanding they had built over the years. Tess stepped into the room, taking in the sight of her father bent over a table covered with maps, his associates gathered around, poring over supplies and planning routes. The dim light cast long shadows across their faces, but the warmth of the room, the quiet hum of focused conversation, gave the space a sense of life amidst the chaos.

“Monkey!” her father greeted her with a small smile, but his eyes never left the maps. He was still deep in thought, absorbed in his plans. “Tell me, Teressa—has our prisoner cracked yet?”

Tess hesitated, standing just inside the door. She knew her father well—knew the weight of his gaze, the way he could read her like a book. But this... this was different. This wasn’t about a decision regarding supplies or routes. This was about trust, something far more fragile. She could see the exhaustion in her father’s face, the strain of years of leading a community through constant struggle. Everyone in the room was looking to him for guidance. His decisions were often the difference between life and death.

“He doesn’t have much to say,” Tess replied, her voice steady, but the uncertainty beneath it was clear. “His name’s Traveler.”

Her father’s gaze finally shifted to meet hers, sharp and calculating, his brow furrowing slightly as he set down his pen. The room went quiet, his associates sensing the change in the air. The usual buzz of conversation faded into the background as her father’s eyes never left Tess’s face, studying her with a sharpness that made her heart race. He was a man who didn’t trust easily, a man who had learned to survive by making tough choices and relying on his instincts.

“Has he given you anything?” he asked flatly, his voice devoid of emotion as he continued to watch her.

Tess took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure how to convey everything she had learned from Traveler, everything she had felt in the brief conversation they’d had. “Not in so many words,” she said, her voice low. “He’s locked up right now, but I think... I think he wants to help us. He’s looking for his son, and he’s been through areas that have been... destroyed.”

Her father’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she could see the skepticism forming in his expression. “He’s been with our enemies, hasn’t he? How do we know he’s not lying?”

Tess nodded, her voice growing more confident despite the tension in the room. “Yes. But he hasn’t hurt anyone. He’s not the kind of person who comes in demanding things or waving weapons around. He’s offered us a map—a detailed one, with all their routes, places he’s been, and places he hasn’t. He’s been through areas we’ve never even touched.”

Her father’s silence spoke volumes. He was processing her words, weighing them against his years of experience and the countless lies he’d encountered in this broken world. The room felt colder now, the weight of his skepticism pressing down on her, but Tess refused to back down. She couldn’t ignore the possibility that Traveler might hold the key to something they needed—something that could turn the tide in their fight.

“How do we know this is real?” her father asked, his voice heavy with doubt. “We’ve been fighting for years, Tess. We can’t just trust anyone who claims to be on our side. We’ve been burned before.”

Tess’s heart pounded, but she held her ground. She stepped closer to the table, meeting her father’s eyes with a firm resolve. “I know you’re tired,” she said quietly. “I know how much weight you carry. I don't think we should ignore this, though. Not when there’s a chance—” She stopped herself, knowing she was pushing too hard, too fast. “There’s a chance he could help us. He knows areas we haven’t even thought about. He might know something about the places we can’t access.”

Her father studied her for a long moment, his gaze hard but thoughtful. Tess felt her pulse quicken as she waited for his response. Finally, he exhaled sharply, his voice low but resolute. “Alright,” he said. His eyes locked onto Tess’s with an intensity that made her stomach tighten. “You and your team will take him out when he’s ready. He shows you those routes, and if he so much as steps out of line, Monks, you shoot him.”

Tess nodded, a mix of relief and responsibility flooding her. “Thank you, Dad.”

She didn’t head straight for the cell. There was one more thing she needed to do. Grabbing some supplies—food, Advil, an ice pack—she knew that even the smallest act of kindness could make a difference in this broken world.

When she reached Traveler’s cell, she found him sitting quietly against the wall, his gaze distant. “I brought you something,” Tess said softly, setting the small bundle on the ground.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain what had just happened, what she had just promised her father. “I spoke to my father,” she said at last. “He’s willing to give you a chance, but you’ll need to prove yourself. Don’t thank me yet.”

Her voice softened, though her words were firm. “For now, eat. Rest. You’ll need your strength.” She looked at him for a long moment before adding, “Once you’re feeling better, you’ll join my crew for a scouting mission. We’ll get you cleaned up, get you a room... but you need to prove you’re worth the trust we’re giving you.”

Her nose wrinkled as she looked at him, amused despite the gravity of the situation. “And you really could use a shower.”

Tess walked alongside the group, her footsteps purposeful, but her posture slightly rigid. She was trying not to let the weight of her thoughts show. She didn’t fully trust this Traveler, not yet, but his mention of a child—his son—had sparked something in her. She wanted to see him make it, to find the boy he was searching for, if only because she knew the desperation that could come from losing someone. But there was still the mission at hand: keeping an eye on their rivals and ensuring they didn’t get too close to their territory. They didn’t want a confrontation, but they’d armed themselves just in case. Tess couldn’t shake the feeling that danger always loomed, even in the quiet moments.

She thought about her team as they moved forward, assessing each member in her mind. Rue... Tess wouldn’t choose him for something like this. Too unpredictable, too quick to act. They had always left as a group and split up to work in threes or pairs, and Tess had learned not to rock the boat too much. There was an unspoken balance within the group, and she’d rather keep it that way, for now.

When the question came, Tess let out a soft laugh, a fleeting amusement dancing across her face. “No, we’re not siblings,” she replied, the words almost playful, though there was something deeper in her tone. Her eyes flickered briefly, and in the quiet of her mind, she reflected on the fact that she’d been old enough to remember life before everything had fallen apart. It was a strange thing to hold onto—memories of a world that no longer existed. She never mentioned it aloud, but the weight of that loss was something she carried in silence. Her sibling had never known the world as it once was. They’d never experienced security, stability—the things Tess had taken for granted. Sometimes, that thought lingered, a dull ache in her chest.

They arrived at the door, and Tess stepped inside first, scanning the room with a practiced gaze. Her father and his associates were already there. Eli and Traveler lingered just behind her, their presence like a quiet anchor. Eli was the more stoic of the two, his eyes always alert, always assessing. Traveler, on the other hand, seemed to be settling into the surroundings, though Tess could tell he still had the air of someone trying to prove himself. She couldn’t blame him for that. She had been in his shoes, after all, and the weight of scrutiny never quite went away.

The room was warm, almost too warm, and yet there was something about it that made Tess feel... off. It was quiet, but not peaceful—more like a stage, and she was always aware of the audience. Her father’s presence seemed to make the air itself heavier. She’d been in this room countless times, and though the furniture was familiar, the weight of his gaze never quite was. It made her feel like she was constantly being measured, assessed, as if she had to prove her worth every time.

When her father spoke, Tess tensed for a brief moment before relaxing. There was something about his tone that always commanded attention, yet it was also... oddly warm. “You must be Traveler,” he said, his smile polite but sharp, a kind of welcoming assessment behind it. He picked up the map Tess had given him, inspecting it closely. “Curious, these markings. What do they mean exactly?” His voice was light, but Tess could hear the edge of scrutiny beneath the casual words.

Tess observed as Traveler spoke, surprised by how well he recalled the details he had shared with her, repeating them almost verbatim. There was a quiet confidence in the way he explained things—practical, no frills. He didn’t try to embellish his story, didn’t seek pity. He spoke about his son with such matter-of-factness that Tess almost found it refreshing. It was rare to find someone who didn’t attempt to manipulate emotion for their own gain.

The meeting soon wrapped up, and Tess led Traveler back toward his room. Eli had already disappeared, likely to take up some position of watch, but Tess wasn’t concerned. Traveler wasn’t the kind to cause trouble, at least not in the traditional sense. She opened the door for him, stepping aside and letting him pass. “Well, that went well,” she said with a light, teasing chuckle. “You’re not dead yet, so I guess they think you’re at least honest.”

She looked thoughtful, thinking of what he might need for the next day or so. Sighing softly, she went to fetch his backpack, making sure to thoroughly check it before handing it back. She’d removed everything—any potential weapons or threats—leaving only what seemed necessary. As she returned the bag to him, her fingers brushed his for a moment, the brief contact lingering in her thoughts longer than she would’ve liked.

“Make sure you pack for tomorrow,” she murmured, her voice softer now. “We’ll be out all day. There’s no telling what we’ll encounter.” She paused, her gaze softening for a moment. “We’ll come get you when we’re ready to leave. Until then, if you need anything...?” She trailed off, her eyes flicking toward the door. “You’ll be locked in here overnight,” she added, her tone quiet but matter-of-fact, though there was a hint of something else behind her words. It wasn’t just about safety—there was a care there, subtle but real.

Traveler was taken aback by the man's voice. Traveler nodded though, listening to him closely, not wanting to miss a single word. He figured if he could get this done and over with as fast as possible, showing what he was capable of, they could maybe consider helping him find his son. Traveler always a pit in his stomach that he wouls suddenly stumble across him unexpectedly, perhaps bloodied and limp, or alive and traumatized, but Traveler needed the closure more and more each day. The boy probably wondered why his dad wasn't there to look after him, and that made Traveler sick in a way.

Traveler felt quite welcomed by the man. He seemed assertive while also kind and calm. He seemed to have those anticipated qualities of a leader - charming, caring, cautious, thoughtful... it all made sense. Traveler glanced to the other two every few moments, wondering what they were thinking, but his attention would quickly turn back to the man when he asked about the markings on the map. "The red is where I've already been. Those places are picked over or just don't have anything there. The blue are other places I have yet to be but could have something," Traveler informed him. He swallowed slightly. "The only important place in red is here," he pointed to a big red 'X'. "This was where my old group and I lived for a while, including when we came here," Traveler added reluctantly. He clenched his jaw and looked at Monkey and Eli before back at her father.

"They have since moved. Last I know they were heading east, and I haven't seen them since. I've been in this area for a few weeks now," Traveler continued on, speaking confidently. "I haven't seen much of anyone else. I saw a man who was dying..." Traveler paused for a moment. "Uh, he was bleeding out of his nose and ears and his eyes were bloodshot. He begged me to kill him so I put the poor man out of his misery," Traveler finished, sighing softly. He only added that detail for the sake of being transparent and honest.

After the meeting, Traveler was escorted back by Eli and Monkey. He watched as Eli departed for some reason before they reached Traveler's room. The silence between him and Monkey was not painful, but it was in the slighest bit tense. Traveler thought they both knew that this could risk everything for both of them, even if intentions were clear. He knew he couldn't still trust her, even if all of this was given to him. Traveler was unsure what would happen after he gave them what they wanted - showing them all of these places. They had the resources to reach them, so why didn't they go? Traveler sat on the question for a moment, wanting to ask, but was disturbed by Monkey speaking.

"I try my best," Traveler said softly, giving a small laugh the same way she did. Traveler saw something in her that he had rarely seen, if at all. She was kind and honest - nurturing in a way. Or maybe more like comfort. Traveler could tell that she held the weight of something more than just being the leader's daughter, but he found himself admiring her for it. Living in a world like this on top of your duties of a makeshift civilization could not be easy, but here she was. Traveler never wanted to live in a community like this one considering they never lasted, nor would they ever truly bring back humanity. Everything was gone the moment it started.

Traveler watched as she went through his pack. They had taken anything that could be a threat and rightfully so. He only had that knife which he granted to her and the revolver - everything else was simply supplies. He assumed that they thought he would get creative, but Traveler didn't even have the energy to do such a thing even if he wanted to. His intention was to do what was asked of him so he could bring home his pride and joy. The thought of seeing him again was all that kept him going - but first, he needed to do what Monkey and her community required of him.

Traveler nodded. "I will," he replied. "I'll be here and ready," Traveler said with a small smile. When she asked if he needed anything, he had a few questions pop into his mind. He hesitated for a moment, gazing at her before he had looked down at his feet then back up at her.

"Well first... more revolver ammo. Assuming you'll give me it when we go out. I'm sure you'd know I couldn't kill this whole town with just two bullets," Traveler lightly joked and then cleared his throat. "But also..." he trailed off for a moment, even more hesitant than the first time. He took a deep breath. "I mean no disrespect. I'm grateful it was you who found me and not some insane weirdo. But why have me guide you to these places? I mean, you have the resources to reach them. And the numbers." Traveler inquired, slipping his hands into his jean pockets. He hoped that he didn't come off as harsh or rude, but he was genuinely curious. He hoped his eyes conveyed that.

Tess leaned lightly against the doorframe, watching as he settled in, the weight of the situation pressing down on both of them. She couldn't help but find a touch of amusement in the way he handled his pack. There was a certain calmness in his movements, almost too steady given everything. The way he spoke about the dying man... It was unsettling, even by the world's new standards. But it was just one of many strange things she'd seen since the blast. The world hadn’t ended that day, not exactly. It just… changed.

She let out a quiet breath, her shoulders loosening slightly as she offered him a faint smile. "You're well-spoken, you know," she remarked, her voice warm but thoughtful. "Considering the situation you're in, you've managed to keep your composure." She couldn't imagine herself in his shoes—if she were in his place, if she had a child out there, held captive and forced into this kind of uncertain alliance... Tess would be long gone by now, probably in a bloody confrontation.

The curiosity bubbled up after a moment, softening her tone. "What's his name?" she asked, her eyes meeting his with a quiet sincerity. "Your son." She didn't expect an answer, but there was something about him that made her want to connect. After all, they'd be working together—at least for a while—and it felt right to know him, to understand the weight he carried.

She caught herself glancing around the room, surveying the modest space. It wasn’t much, but it was better than most had, a fragile attempt at restoring a sliver of what the world used to be. A dim solar lamp flickered quietly, casting a soft glow over the room, and the sound of running water hummed in the background, a result of their patchwork efforts to get a mill running again. Tess turned back to him, her gaze soft. He looked worn, perhaps in his mid-thirties, but time had aged him prematurely. The kind of hardship he wore on his face seemed older than the years he carried.

A soft laugh slipped from her as his words turned to ammo, and she gave a light shrug. "You’ll get the rounds tomorrow," she said with a hint of teasing. "But I’ll hold on to them until you need them," she added, tapping the side of her head for emphasis. "Not that I’m going to let you lead us into the wild just to put bullets in our heads." Her voice was playful, but her eyes were serious. They couldn’t afford mistakes, not now. They had too much riding on this.

She could see the weariness in his eyes. Tomorrow, they'd set out, and he would be expected to help them. There was no turning back from that, but Tess found herself hoping that, by some chance, this partnership would bring him closer to his son. She didn't want to force him into anything, but the stakes were too high to be gentle. If they succeeded, they’d be one step closer to the answers they needed. If not, well, she’d be damned if she didn’t try to help him herself.

Tess’s head tilted slightly as she studied him, her lips curling into a small, disbelieving chuckle. "Well, Traveler," she mused, her voice softening again, "We need to find your old crew." Her eyes darkened just a shade. "We’re not looking to fight them. We need to understand them, their movements, their patterns," she continued, a quiet sorrow creeping into her tone. "It’s getting too dangerous out there. Too many of us have been lost on trips like the one we’re taking tomorrow." She let out a slow breath, remembering faces now gone, her chest tight with the weight of it all. "You know where they’ve been. You know their routines, their tricks. If you can help us track them, we can avoid a lot of unnecessary bloodshed."

Her gaze dropped for a moment, then she lifted her eyes to meet his. "We’ve got the resources. But if we don’t get ahead of them, if we don’t figure out their next move... we're going to lose everything." She paused, letting her words hang in the air. The pressure was building, and she knew they didn’t have much time.

Traveler shrugged at her compliment towards him. He figured it would be his best bet if he wanted out of here. He had no intention of staying, and should they offer, he'd most likely deny their assistance. The idea of dragging more people into a mess that was only his fault seemed unnecessary and not ideal, especially for a group such as this one. The thought made him shiver slightly - it would mean a chance of more blood on his hands, even if he wasn't the one doing the killing. Traveler would die for his son, and he knew that it was obvious. "If this gets me where I need, then I'll do what it takes," Traveler finally said, a small curl of his lip following his words.

Traveler furrowed his eyebrows at her next question. He then smiled more, looking down for a moment before looking back up. He sighed almost out of relief for the sake of being able to talk about him. Traveler didn't hesitate to answer as his son had been his favorite subject and human being. While there hadn't been anyone to talk to about him - not even his mother - Traveler still managed to talk about him whether it was to God or in his journal. He hummed softly. "Waylen." Traveler's tone was soft and gentle like a warm fireplace on a snowy night. He spoke with a slight pain, though not one that was grieving. "Waylen Brooks," he then added.

Traveler had been wondering if his son would be a topic of discussion, and here he was. While he had been waiting for it, he expected it to be to Monkey's father or someone more superior for the sake of understanding their prisoner and wondering if he would be worth while. But instead, a random woman who he would only meet becaue he stepped into one of their traps was questioning him about his son and not someone else. But this random woman had a kindness about her that Traveler could not describe, even if the trust was not fully developed, and it wouldn't be for quite some time. It was ironic to him as most things were nowadays. Only His plan could lead Traveler to this moment, and he fully believed that more would come out of this.

Traveler nodded and exhaled through his nose, a small laugh in his throat. "Right," he said, smiling softly. "Understood, superior," Traveler teased back, though knowing that this was a caution that they had every right to take. Traveler could be that guy and turn his back at any moment, attacking them in the middle of uncharted territory and leaving them to die. Traveler had no intention, but that was not yet learned even if it was said. It would take convincing and proof before these people could trust him and before he could reciprocate the same. He had no issue doing what was asked and he wouldn't protest either, fully understanding their processes.

Traveler nodded as she spoke. His old group would be out and about, probably torturing more souls and whatever they come across. It didn't matter who you were or how important you could be - those people would demolish anything or anyone in their paths. It was a harsh thing to be a part of, but Traveler was desperate and he wanted something for his son, which he obviously would regret now. Flowing with men like that meant more enemies than friends, let alone that, and he wasn't sure what he was thinking when he decided that Waylen could live like that. Living off scraps for a year and maintaining just enough to barely survive. It was sickening, and Traveler felt so much guilt from it that just the thought made his stomach turn and his heart hurt, almost as if it was going to burst out of his chest.

"I can tell you one thing - they might be crazy, but they're not stupid. I left them to find my son a few weeks back. I know that they could be tracking me because I'm a "loose end". That's what they do." Traveler shifted his weight on his feet slightly, sucking his tongue before he would continue. His chest grew slightly heavy, recalling a few memories he wish he could forget. "I understand wanting to find them and putting an end to everything. I wish I had never came across them, but I did. These men are not... normal," Traveler cleared his throat. "You might have the resources, but they have the insanity." Traveler had paused yet again, gathering his thoughts. He wasn't trying to intimdate her - this needed to be done, but the risk was high.

"They would make me watch as they skin you alive before killing you. That's what they do. I know hearing it from me is probably odd since I ran with them, but I only was there because I hoped it could help Waylen," Traveler informed her. He sighed softly.

"There's another group as well..." His voice slightly trailed off. "I should have mentioned this before. Waylen was taken by another group." Traveler's voice was painful and seemingly full of guilt. He didn't want to say another word, but he figured that it would be the right thing to do. "This group, from what I know, aren't any better but they aren't as bad. I highly doubt we will find them when we go out, but I know they're from this area. Maybe some miles away, but around here," Traveler finished. He clenched his jaw and then his fists, beginning to fiddle with his fingers for a moment. He had no idea how she would respond. Perhaps he shouldn't have said a single thing at all, but he knew that deep down it would have to be said anyways.