"Where are we going?" Gabriel asked, his voice cutting through the silent air of the ruins.
The girl remained completely silent and continued walking steadily through the rubble. Gabriel narrowed his eyes, wondering how such a young girl could possibly be surviving alone in this desolate area. As he followed her across the ruined land, he finally saw a distinct forest line ahead.
"Do you live there?" Gabriel asked, framing his question differently this time, gesturing toward the trees.
"No," the girl briefly refused, without turning around.
"So, you can speak," Gabriel stated, a slight edge of command entering his voice.
"Will you stay quiet?" The girl snapped in a light voice.
"What if a stranger comes to you and asks you to follow him?" Gabriel inquired, pushing the point. "It is obvious you would ask questions of him."
