The Wanderer

5

They didn't have any more plans since Wendy died. The whole group was devastated and confused.

"We have to to do something now," Tasha told everyone,"Death is around the corner, we have to act... fast."

"What do we do now? We know we can't follow the map anymore, it'll lead us to nowhere. So... who has a plan?," Marchell said.

"We might as well have a retreat," Erl suggested.

"That is one good suggestion."

They immediately packed their bags for travel. They rode the jeepney and went to the beach.

"My Aunt and I wanted to go here," Tasha sighed.

Everyone was watching as the sun sets down. Erl put up a tent while Marchell baked some pies.

"This is awesome. I feel safe," Marchell smiled.

Jesse set up his alcohol lamp, as the team started to get serious.

"I'm sorry you guys still have to be part of this, you shouldn't have." Tasha looked down.

"If I die, I die with dignity. I die a Wanderer," Erl answered.

"Yeah, if I have to die just to get to that Vinstropolis, I will. Some people are just better than pies, you know?," Marchell added.

"If I die, I die as a warrior. I fought ny battle," Jesse spoke.

"I'm sorry about what I said... back there in Denhills," Erl turned to Jesse.

"It's okay, bro. I accept it. Spears run in my blood, but family is what my heart beats. And, you guys are my family."

"Well, I have one more secret talent I didn't tell you," Erl said, pulling something out from his bag,"This is a small guitar. It's like a ukelele, but it has six strings... so I call it a small guitar."

"You play?," Tasha asked.
"Play!," Jesse eagerly said.

Erl plucked and strummed the guitar as music filled the air. Everyone was happy. Until, they heard whispers from the woods.

"Guys, if I tell you to run, you run," Erl seriously said, as sweat ran down his face.

Suddenly, a spear went flying in the air. It missed, but it was trying to hit Tasha.
A dozen of Madeses then ran to the seashore and chased them.

"Now! Run, go! The Madeses are here!," Erl yelled.

They quickly went away from the beach and into to the woods, lost.

"Faster! Protect Tasha! They aim for Tasha!," Erl told them as they ran.

The Madeses are just a meter or two  from them. "Run!," Erl shouted.

The Madeses were able to reach for Marchell's foot. "Erl! Run! Don't come back for me!," she cried.

"Marchell, I love you..." Erl cried as he restlessly ran away with Tasha and Jesse. They managed to escape from the Madeses.

Hours passed, and the sun was starting to rise again. "No, no, no, no, no, no..." Erl sobbed.

Tasha and Jesse had nothing to say. They walked to him and hugged him.

"I'm so sorry," Tasha whispered.

"My wife..... had just been gotten by them. I have no hope now," Erl continued to cry.

"We have to go to Lhansy. We have to clarify this map," Tasha said. "Let's go, I'll drive," Jesse insisted.

They drove to the library. But, it was different than before. It was messy and there were rocks everywhere. As they enter, they saw the books torn up like a storm just went through the whole building.

"I don't like where this is heading," Jesse softly spoke.

Lhansy was there. But, she was on the ground. She had bruises all over her body.

"Lhansy! Oh, goodness, please say something...," Tasha ran to her.

"I feel weak. They threw stones at me."

"They got Marchell, too," Erl sadly said.

"Okay, Lhansy, we have to ask you sevaral questions. Is that okay?," Jesse asked.

"Okay."

"How many were they during the attack?", "Five."

"Is this map real?,", "I don't know. I didn't really study Mades War."

"Do you know where the Madeses are?,", "They travel, but their base is in the south-western part."

"Where is Gian?,","They took him."

"Thank you, Lhansy. You have to rest," Tasha gently pulled up Lhansy.

"We have to follow the Madeses. And, this time, we'll get Marchell. We'll make this work," Tasha told them.

"Thank you Lhansy! We'll keep in touch!," Tasha said as they walked out of the library.

"So, we need to get to the Mades base?," Jesse asked, as he drove the jeepney on a moderately fast speed.