A loud creak sounded as the big metal door scraped against the floor. Mel entered through it, with Bobby following close behind her. Layers of dirt coated the floor, and a trail of fresh footprints could be spotted walking down the underground maze. Giant spiderwebs hung from the ceilings, visible only by the dust that had collected on their thin threads.
"Grace, Franky, Rachel," Mel called out to the little girl and her parents.
"Mel?" Franky responded. "Thank goodness it's you! I thought you were the Sorcerer."
"I'm sorry. Bobby didn't evacuate, so I brought him here."
"Bobby! Thank goodness. Do you know how worried your mother was?" Bobby's mom cried out as she approached them alongside Rachel and Grace. He started bawling and ran into his mother's arms.
"Where were you? I was so scared." His mother squeezed him tightly in her arms.
"I'm sorry. I fell asleep, and all the other kids and teachers were gone when I woke up."
Grace and Rachel led Bobby and his mother away.
Mel pulled Franky into a hug. "I don't have much time, so go ahead and hug Grace and Rachel for me."
"Wait, Mel!" Franky grabbed Mel by the arm. His long, gangly fingers wrapped around themselves. "What did you see? I know you couldn't tell Grace, but I need to know what happens if the Sorcerer leaves."
Mel turned her gaze to the floor. "Your futures shatters. I've never seen that before. It scared me."
Mel looked up at Franky, his eyes wide and his lips parted. He held tightly to Mel and looked into her eyes. "Don't go."
"But you might die!"
"But the Sorcerer always says you can only be safe here."
"You think I'll be safe here without you all? Newsflash, I won't." Mel's eyes watered as she looked up at the paper-thin man.
He pressed his lips together as he let go of Mel's arms.
"Stay safe, Mel. Don't you dare die on me. Just as you can't stay safe here without us, we can't stay safe here without you."
"I'll be sure to come back." Mel wrapped her arms around the gangly man. His thin waist felt like it would break if she squeezed too hard.
"Don't jump at your problems recklessly. Think them through." Franky gently returned her hug.
"I will. I love you, Franky. Let Grace and Rachel know that I love them, too."
"Of course, my child."
After leaving the castle, Mel started to make her way North. The ruins stretched for miles, and at the end of them, Mel encountered a massive force field surrounding the decaying stone buildings.
"Here goes nothing." Mel forced her way through the enormous barrier, then stumbled forward into the sand. The clear field shimmered for a brief second before disappearing. It mirrored her environment, hiding the ruins from sight. "Now I just need to find that village…"