A.D., turned to Peter, "Be ready!" he urged, his voice tight with urgency. "We're going to Kango City. Start the vehicle; we have a long way to go."
On the road, the hum of the engine a steady drone, Mia, Peter's wife, leaned forward from the back seat. "A.D.," she asked, her brow furrowed, "tell me how we enter Kango City. And how do you know the way? Did you live there?"
Outside Kango City, Mia turned to A.D., her voice low with skepticism. "How do we get inside?"
A.D. glanced at the towering walls. "The only regular way in is through the supply shipments, but they check everything thoroughly." He paused, a thought forming. "The more secure way is through the woods. They use the forest heavily for their work, especially transporting full trees."
He pointed to a massive, ancient oak. "We can hollow out a space inside one of those logs. We'll ride in with the timber, get through the gates undetected. Then, under the cover of night, we'll slip out of the wood and begin our journey to Simon City."
The hollowed-out log, surprisingly spacious inside, offered a bumpy and dark ride. They endured the claustrophobia for hours, the rhythmic creak of wagon wheels lulling some to a fitful sleep. When the faint glow of dawn filtered through the gaps in the timber, they knew they'd reached their destination. They waited until the sounds of the lumberyard workers filled the morning air, then stealthily emerged from their wooden hiding place, blinking in the new light.
"Stay sharp, everyone," A.D. murmured, his voice low but firm. "Walk with purpose, but try to look casual. Just follow my lead." He set a brisk pace, navigating the unfamiliar streets with an unsettling familiarity. At the end of a winding lane, a small, unassuming house appeared. "Inside," A.D. instructed, and they slipped through the door.
Once out on the main thoroughfare, the city of Kango truly revealed itself. It bustled with life, a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds. Laughter mingled with the cries of street vendors, and the scent of freshly baked bread mixed with spices. Happiness seemed to permeate every cobblestone.
As they passed a butcher's shop, two young men were deep in conversation. One, with a broad, welcoming smile, suddenly caught sight of A.D. His eyes widened, and a gasp escaped him before he lunged forward, seizing A.D.'s hand.
"A.D.! You came!" he cried, his voice thick with emotion.
A.D.'s own eyes welled up, tears blurring his vision.
Jane, witnessing the unexpected reunion, tugged gently on Mia's sleeve. "You know him?" she whispered, confused. "Who is he?"
"Mia, we have to keep moving. Time is short," A.D. said, his voice strained as he tried to pull his hand free.
"I have to go," A.D. insisted, his gaze pleading.
The man's grip tightened. "You came here after ten years, A.D.! Ten years! And now you say you have to go? Not for us, then at least meet Mom. She's waiting for you, she always has been."
A.D.'s shoulders slumped. "Brother, no. If anyone sees me here, it could put all of you in danger." His voice cracked, and a tear finally escaped, tracing a path down his cheek. "Please, let me go."
"What?" Mia exclaimed, her eyes wide. "He's your brother?"
Jane, still processing the shock, managed, "Stop crying."
Meanwhile, Daisy's thoughts drifted back to Danousa's words, the implications of A.D.'s connection to Kango City becoming clearer.
"Go, brother," A.D. repeated, his voice barely a whisper. The man, clearly heartbroken, finally released his hand and stepped back. A.D. turned to the group. "Go to that house. I'll meet you there tonight."
"Why?" Jane protested, stepping forward. "I'll come with you!"
Mia, seeing the opportunity, nodded. "Yes, Jane, go with him."
"Okay," A.D. conceded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Let's go."
A.D. led Jane to a modest house nestled behind a small goat pen. Inside, an elderly woman with kind, weary eyes was tending to her goats. Jane, recognizing the moment, gently pushed A.D. forward to the doorway. "Mom!" she called softly.
A.D.'s mother looked up, her eyes widening. Tears instantly sprang to her eyes as she recognized her son. She dropped her work and ran, embracing A.D. tightly, her sobs echoing in the small enclosure. "My son! My son!" she cried, holding him as if she'd never let go.
Later, gathered around a small, humble table, they shared a meal. His mother had cooked A.D.'s favorite dish, and the simple act of eating together felt like a luxury after their perilous journey.
"Who is this beautiful girl?" A.D.'s mother asked, her gaze lingering on Jane, a playful glint in her eye. "Is she your girl?"
Jane's face immediately flushed crimson.
"No, no!" A.D. quickly interjected, shaking his head. "She's just a friend."
Despite the slight awkwardness, the evening was filled with chatter. A.D. spoke little of his ten years away, but his mother shared stories of Kango, and Jane listened, captivated by the warmth of a family reunion.
As night deepened, A.D.'s mother led Jane to A.D.'s old room. "Be with him," she urged, her voice soft. "Do you... do you like him?"
"Yes," Jane confessed, her heart pounding. "But I'm afraid he would reject me."
A.D.'s mother gently patted her hand. "Nonsense! Be with him. He is very slow, it might take time, but if you try, he will be yours."
Just then, A.D. appeared at the doorway. "Mom, I have to go."
His mother's face fell. "Go? Where, my son?"
"I have a work," A.D. replied, a familiar resolve hardening his features. "Please, let me go."
"No, you can't!" she cried, tears welling again. "You just came back after ten years, and now you want to leave again?"
"Mom, I'll come back after doing that," he promised, his voice gentle but firm.
"Okay," she said, nodding reluctantly. "But promise me you will come back."
"Promise, Mom." He hugged her tightly, then turned to Jane. "Let's go."
At the door, his mother held them both in her gaze. "Take care of yourselves," she called out, her voice softening. "And my daughter-in-law."
Outside, under the star-strewn sky, Jane couldn't help but smile.
"Why are you blushing?" A.D. asked, a rare hint of amusement in his tone.
"No, it's nothing," Jane mumbled, looking away.
They rejoined the others in the house they had found. They were all waiting, some already drifting off to sleep.
"Everyone, get some rest," A.D. announced. "Tomorrow, we have to move."
Later, as they settled into their sleeping arrangements, Mia whispered to Jane. "What happened?"
Jane, still blushing, buried her face under her blanket. "I met his mom. She likes me! She called me her daughter-in-law. After all this, I'm going to make sure we get married!"
Daisy, who had been listening intently, gasped. "What? No! Is that true?"
"Yes!" Jane muffled from beneath the blanket.
"We can marry on the same day!" Daisy blurted out, then paused. "Did you tell A.D. about your feelings? If you take too long, someone else might get him, so be quick!"
Jane's face went pale.
"Yes, tell him your feelings," Mia urged.
"Tomorrow," Jane whispered, her resolve set. "Tomorrow, I'll do that."
The next morning, everyone woke to the inviting aroma of breakfast. A.D. had already arranged it, and they ate quickly. "Be ready," he urged, his gaze moving between them.
"You didn't tell us how we're getting to Simon City," Peter reminded him, a note of concern in his voice.
"Yes," Lisa added, "who exactly is 'we,' and how are we doing this?"
"That's my problem," A.D. replied, dismissing their questions with a wave of his hand.
Mia and Daisy exchanged glances, nudging Jane. Emboldened, Jane stepped forward. "A.D., I—I want to talk to you about something."
"We have no time," A.D. cut her off gently. "We can discuss it on the way."
Disappointed, Jane fell back as they emerged from the house. "Follow me," A.D. instructed, leading them through the city streets. After some time, he stopped at the edge of Kango City's beach.
"It's a beach!" Mia exclaimed, looking out at the vast expanse of water. "How do we cross the sea?"
"We don't need to cross it," A.D. replied, a hint of mystery in his tone. "Our destination is under the water."
Lisa stared. "What do you mean?"
"Simon City is under the sea," A.D. explained. "This is the secret entrance to the Simon Sea."
Daisy gasped. "How do we get there?"
"Be calm," A.D. said. He pulled a small remote from his pocket and pressed a button. With a quiet hum, a sleek, underwater submarine rose from the depths, breaking the surface of the water.
"What's this?" Jane breathed, her eyes wide.
"Get in," A.D. commanded, gesturing towards the open hatch.
As they began to board, a girl with her face covered by a hood approached them quickly. "Please, let me be with you! I have to go to Simon City!"
Peter immediately stepped forward. "No, we can't! We don't even know you."
But A.D.'s expression softened, a flicker of emotion in his eyes. "Let her in," he said, surprising everyone.
They had barely submerged when another submarine appeared on their sonar, rapidly closing in. It quickly maneuvered to block their path. Before they knew it, their submarine was breached. They were taken by surprise, arrested, and tied, Peter, A.D., and the rest of the group.
The girl who had boarded with them pulled back her hood, revealing a stern, regal face. She was the Queen of Kango City, on a personal quest to reach the city of curiosity.
Tied together, they glared at their captors. "Who are you?" Sam demanded. "Why have you caught us? Leave us! Why are you doing this?"
"You are traitors," the Queen declared, her voice cold and authoritative.
"What do you want from us?" A.D. asked, his gaze unwavering.
The Queen, Suzanne, stepped closer to A.D., her expression softening. "Nothing, really. Just some fun. But I like your sensitivity. If you become mine, I can release them."
"What?!" Jane cried out, a mix of shock and anger in her voice.
"No, no! Be calm, Jane," Mia whispered, pulling her back slightly.
"No," A.D. replied, his voice firm, "that's not an option."
Suzanne sighed. "Very well. Then help me enter Simon City. I've been trying for two years, but I can't find a way in."
"Why?" A.D. asked, curious.
"Because of curiosity," she admitted, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "I've heard it's beautiful, and I want to see it for myself."
"Okay, it's done," A.D. stated. "Now, release us."
The Queen's army quickly untied them.
"I'll help you," A.D. said, turning back to Suzanne, "but on one condition: only you will come. The more people there are, the more danger."
"Fine," the Queen agreed. "Only my commander and I will come."
"Okay," A.D. said to his group. "Everyone, return to your seats." Then, to the Queen, "Ma'am, please tell your army to leave."
"Let them go," Suzanne ordered her soldiers. She then turned to A.D., a slight smile playing on her lips. "And please, don't call me 'Ma'am.' My name is Suzanne. You can call me Suzi, okay?"
Jane, still processing the situation, managed a quiet, "Okay." She immediately moved closer to A.D. "Why are we letting her in?" she whispered, her voice laced with suspicion.
"We'll sort it out soon," A.D. reassured her.
"But—" Jane started, but Mia interjected.
"Come here, Jane," Mia called, and Jane reluctantly went to her. "Yes, Mom?"
"Don't be nervous," Mia whispered, a knowing smile on her face. "A.D. is yours."