Finally, someone stirred, interrupting the sound of the birds talking to one another. “Come on. We’ve got to go. The sergeant said he was watching. We’ll be in for it if we don’t get back.”

Don heard Tyson laugh as he began to sit up. “What? You think he can actually see us? He just said that to keep us moving.”

The boy bristled visibly at the retort. Don shook his head. Tyson needed to learn to be more diplomatic.

“That’s not the only way he could be keeping tabs on us,” one of the boy’s friends said, jumping to his defense.

“It doesn’t matter,” Don said quietly. “You’re both right. He probably can’t see us yet. Even so, we need to get a move on.” Tyson and the two boys looked at him. Don shrugged amicably. They were going to have to live with one another for a while. No one needed to make enemies the first day.

“Agreed,” Roberto Inez announced loudly. He walked to where Don sat, held out a hand, and pulled him to a standing position.

Before anyone could add to the conversation, a small bot broke through the trees and hovered toward the middle of the group.

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This series is an illustrated, abridged telling of The Young Soldier:  Pursuing Dreams, written by MK Clark.

You can buy the full novel on Amazon www.amazon.com/Pursuing-Dreams-Young-Soldier-Book-ebook/dp/B072516QKC or find out not information at https://mkclarkbooks.com.