Unknown POV

     It was a good thing for her to be paired with Juda, he has a nice and calm personality. That doesn't stop me from thinking; what were the fucking chances that he and the girl would meet again? What were the chances that I would see her again? Just thinking about when we first met gave me feelings of uncertainty, seeing her shivering and sweating on death's door. The delirium I watched her endure, and the number of hours I spent caring for her. Juda helped too, but he was mostly focused on selling our merchandise to the people. I don't know why, but I felt personally responsible for her during that time. And here she is again, living with us.

     The fact that she was the one to run into Marco, and instead of ignoring the boy she crossed the desert to return him home? Unbelievable. Who does something like that? She asks too many questions and is too ignorant of her previous home. I wonder how she'll fit in here, how long we can keep her in the dark...

5 months later:

"Sam! Sam!"

"Wake up!"

Marco slammed his fist on the shack door.

"Today's the day! You promised!" he whined.

     Hitting the door a few more times, Marco pressed his ear against the door to listen for movement. Hearing a groan come from the bed, he cupped his hand around his mouth and pressed it to the crack in the door.

"SAAAAAAAAAM!"

"MARCO!" Sam's voice yelled out and Marco could hear a groan before she continued, " I promise, I hear you. Just give me a few moments to wake up, then we'll start. "

     Marco jumped up and down in excitement, today was Sam's day off and after months and months of planning. She promised to take him to see Rosa! Marco could still remember running in fear from the bully, trying to lose him in the crowd of people, and being cornered in a cave. He was walking towards Marco with a wooden pole and swinging it lazily side to side. Marco shaking with fear, crouched to the floor and brought his knees up to his chin. Praying that someone would save him.

     Right as the bully was standing over Marco, he heard a growl and low bark coming from behind the bully. Lifting his eyes, Marco peered around the bully to see his dog a few feet away with her hair bristled straight up. Rosa was crouched low to the floor and let out another warning bark, drool sliding down her jaw. The bully turned to face Rosa and lifted the pole above his head. He took a couple of steps to Rosa and yelled at her to go away.

     Rosa tucked her tail under her belly and flattened out her ears, she was a cross between a german shepherd and a wolf. Bigger than most dogs, she was strong and Marco's best friend. Marco called out to Rosa and she walked over to the side of the cave, trying to reach Marco while keeping an eye on the bully. The bully, moved to the opposite side of the cave to let her pass with his pole still in the air. She let out a low growl before she passed and put one paw in front of the other. Just as she was passing by, the bully suddenly swung down his pole and hit Rosa on the back. Rosa let out high pitch yelp and Marco let out a scream as well.

     Rosa flashed her teeth and lept at the bully, latching her teeth on his arm and pushing him down to the ground. The bully soon let out a scream of his own that didn't stop, and Marco yelled for Rosa to come, fearing for her and the bully's life. She immediately let go of the bully's arm and trotted over to Marco to comfort him. Blood smeared on her lips as she nuzzled his form. Meanwhile, the bully still screaming, got up, and ran out of the cave cradling his bleeding arm. Marco hugged Rosa close as she straightened up and brought Marco to his knees.

     Marco stood and together they walked home. Later that night his parents came into his room and leashed Rosa. Dragging her out of his bed as Marco begged them not to take her away...

     A tear escaped Marco's eye as the memory came to an end. He missed Rosa, and the bully wasn't punished at all. It was seven months since the incident happened. After running away, and being brought back by a friend. Marco still was angry but now, today, he would see his Rosa. Sam opened the door to her shack and she walked out wearing baggy capris and a tank top. Her purple bandana keeping her blond hair tucked in.

     Marco stared up at her and her smile as she crouched down by him. "Marco," she said softly "Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry Sam. Bad memories."

     Marco watched as her smile turned lopsided. "Let's make some better ones, yeah?" As she offered her hand.

"Yeah." He replied

Meanwhile: Training Grounds Sulla

     Robin could feel the sweat pouring down her back as she leaned up against a wall. Her gun held up against her chest, she was trying to catch her breath after running through this maze. Her goal, to find Annie and shoot her before she got shot herself. It was a training exercise with rubber rounds instead of bullets, but they still packed a punch. They were together in a maze floor comprised of walls that reached up to the ceiling and very dim light. Annie usually won this game, typically with a swift shot to the back of Robin's head. But not this time, this time I'm going to shoot her right in her smug face!

     "You're breathing too loud, dumbass." Annie's cheerful voice rang from Robin's left. Robin's breath caught in her throat as she looked in that direction and was met with a wall that separated her from Annie.

     "I could hear you a mile away," She exaggerated, "Sounds like you need to work on your cardio more."

     Robin could hear the mockery dripping from her voice and used it to give herself a bit of a jumpstart in energy. Extending her gun out in front of her, she quickly rounded the next corner and briskly walked down the straightway. Making sure to check her corners and blind spots, remembering her breathing exercises, she quieted the amount of sound she was making. Coming to a stop, she listened for any movement and slowly walked up to the next corner. Keeping as close as she could the wall, her instincts told her that this was the one. Annie was around this corner. Robin lowered herself to a crouch, If Annie was waiting for her to round that corner. She was going to be aiming high, and Robin would be low enough to force Annie to re-aim. Giving Robin the extra few moments to shoot the first shot.

     Holding her breath, Robin pivoted on her left toe getting ready to pull the trigger. Lo and behold, there was the blonde bitch laying on her stomach with a smirk on her face as she pulled the trigger before Robin. Robin heard the pop of the gun before she could feel and knew she lost this round as well. A hard impact hit her forehead through her face shield and it knocked back on her butt. DAMMIT, She thought as her head was spinning, she heard Annie laugh and get up. Standing above Robin, she looked down condescendingly, " I win. But good try, you're too predictable and always on the offensive. Have fun with that headache." Annie giggled and walked away.

     Robin let out a groan and laid there for a moment before getting up and walking to the exit of the floor. There was Don and a few other men waiting for her.

"Fours hours and twenty- three minutes, that's an hour longer than you guys usually take," Don said trying to be positive.

"She still kicked my ass." Robin said with a sigh as she handed back the gear.

"Next time you'll get her. Want to get together after this?"

"Sure," she replied

     Robin let out a smile and walked off the floor to head to the locker room to get cleaned up. Walking out there was Don with his more casual wear on and a smile on his face. Reaching him, Don pulled her into an embrace and they kissed. Looking up at his face, he smiled and said, "We've got to work on your stealth."

"UGH! Enough already, we can do that tomorrow. Right now, all I want to think about is spending the night with you and counting down the days till we get Sam back."

"Soon!" Don stressed, "We already have a plan in motion, now we just have to wait and get you better at combat if you're wanting to take on the ghost."

     Robin nodded and together they went back to his place. Five months of planning and training and it was almost time to make their move. I hope Sam is OK, please be alive when I reach you.