Homecoming (V)

Eventually we arrived on front of a 2 floor house with a big entry and we stopped.

"We have arrived, come in"

He opened the door and let us in. The interior felt even bigger than on the outside. A couple of persons were running from one way to the other with papers on their hands, they seem very busy.

"And them?"

"They're the ones that kept the records and coordinate the next arrival"

"Arrival? Of who?"

"You don't know about the expeditionary from the south? If I'm not wrong they should arrive today?"

"Jack, you finally came back!" said a woman that stop by after seeing him. "The vehicle should be parked. Hurry, you have to help and check the load"

"I'm coming! Asriel, Maria, if you come with me you'll see by yourselves, what you say?"

"Sure, let's go"

"But... the cookies?"

"We'll come back later for them, alright?"

"Okay~"

We left the house and we observed as the people was reunited around something on the middle of the street. After approaching I manage to see a van, on the back it had many boxes. Maybe some kind of supplies?

There were 2 uniformed checking what they have with some men, Jack got close and started to speak with them, then the other military on the driver's seat get out after looking at me and walked quickly toward us.

"Ohh, it's you kid! I'm glad to see you are okay!"

It was the same man who speak with the mayor back at home on the start of my journey... the one which I never knew his name. So close as always he came to give me a pat on my back.

"Y, yes, I'm fine thanks. I see that your wounds are better"

"Quite so. As you can see my eye is completely recovered, I just ended up with this scar. Doesn't look great?"

"O, of course..."

"Mmm? Whose is that beautiful blonde hair that is on your back?"

Maria as usual doesn't get along with strangers and was behind me... I guess I could take advantage of this situation.

"She's my friend Maria. For several reasons we ended up travelling together, she is my dear partner"

After ending my introduction she poked her head onto the side and nodded without saying anything. I think the presence of this man is so imposing that she wasn't able to speak.

"So cute! You remind me of my daughter, although a bit more taller. I'm Batista, nice to meet you!"

Got it! I knew that she could serve me to get his name without the necessity to ask directly and save me the uncomfortable situation. I need to thank her later, I'll see if I can get her some food.

"And what are you doing so far north Batista?"

"I came on name of the mayor in a recognizance mission to try and recover the contact with the other cities, each time we're covering more terrain. Since you left, more people with abilities similar to yours have appeared and made things easier for us"

"Oh, that's good to hear"

"That's right. We had suffer a couple of attacks, but they have been able to retain them. Thanks to that we had been relegated to other tasks, being out of the front line it has somewhat ease me. If you're here I must assume that you came back from the capital"

"Correct. Sadly I wasn't able to find the answers I was searching for"

"That's a shame. I know! You are planning on coming home now, right? I'll take you there!"

"Are you sure? There won't be a problem?"

"What are you saying? For our hero and his little friend there are no problems. After we finish our paperwork on the city we'll go"

"Sounds perfect. Thank you very much"

"... thanks" added Maria in a soft voice.

"Hey Batista"

"Tell me?"

"Isn't somewhat risky for you to travel all this road here? What will happen if you find a creature?"

"Ahh, of course we come prepared"

"Then, there is a Spiritist with you?"

"Exactly, he should... eh? Where is he?"

"He got lost?"

The 3 of us looked around searching for him.