“So where exactly are we?” I decided to start the conversation as we cleaned. Not that I really know where anything is since all I remember is the basement. Everyone was helping pack up after enjoying some food. We’re getting ready to start the next leg of the journey to their base. Mama bear looks around and shrugs.

“I’m honestly not sure where we were being held. I was out for a long time after my injury.” She peers over to the boys for answers. Just as she’s about to speak, she chuckles instead. “Sorry, I don’t remember who is who just yet. A lot has happened within the past few days.” The boys all smile and prepare to introduce themselves to our group.

We settled in close to Mama so we could listen to what they all had to say. The journey had been long, and exhaustion clung to us like the dust on our boots. The hardest part wasn’t the walk. It was figuring out who these men were. They’d risked everything to save us, but beyond their names, I barely know them. I’ve been watching them this whole time. Quiet, careful, like I used to watch the guards. Studying their rhythms. Listening.

They were so different from the men I knew in that cage. Looser. Louder. They bantered instead of barked, and there was something strange about the way they looked at us. They look at us like we are people. Not inventory. Not things to play with and discard. One of them, I think it was Micah, caught me watching once and just nodded. Like it was a good thing I was watching and listening, taking mental notes. It seemed he approved.

Brennan flopped to the ground with a dramatic groan, making me turn my attention towards him. He tossed a small rock at Jamie’s boot. Brennen’s clothes were cleaner than the others, somehow, and he had this way of stretching out like he owned the whole patch of earth. He’s not quite as tall as the others and his hair is cut much shorter. Goes with his clean look. He’s very expressive in his motions and his facial features. Even with his voice, you can tell how he’s feeling or how he wants to be portrayed easily.

“All right,” he said, already grinning. “It’s about time we do this properly.” He turned to the kids with an exaggerated flourish, like some stage actor. “For those of you too exhausted to remember our dashing faces, I—lucky for you—am Brennan. Resident trader, master of negotiations, and—most importantly—the best-looking one here.”

“That’s debatable,” Aiden said, shaking his head. He was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth. His fingers were stained green from herbs, and he smelled faintly of lavender even from here. He’s about the same height as some of them, not the shortest, not the tallest. Looks stronger than Brennen. He has olive skin and his hair is mid length, usually tied back. I always see him working with the plants around us. Picking some, boiling some, I’m curious. How does he know what’s good from what’s bad?

“You mean undeniable,” Brennan shot back, still smirking. His confidence never seems to waver.

“Unfortunate,” Micah muttered, poking at the fire with a stick. He hadn’t looked up once, his voice low and dry. “For all of us.” He seems to be a man of little words, only talks when needed. I can tell from observing him that he does the same thing I do. Watches, listens, plans. He’s the tallest one here and has dark hair and hair on his face. It’s really bushy. The rest of his hair is cut shorter, not like Brennen’s though.

Brennan clutched his chest in mock agony. “Hurtful, Micah. Truly. But,” he turned back toward us, “moving on! If you need supplies, you come to me. You need a deal made? Again, me. You need someone to sweet-talk a tough situation?” He winked at one of the smaller girls, who stifled a giggle. “You guessed it—me.” He was quite full of himself. I wish I had half the confidence of this guy.

Cory stretched out his long legs, his coveralls streaked with dirt and old oil stains. His hands were always busy—either with tools or scraps of wire—and even now he was twisting something in his fingers. He’s tall too. His hair is long, stops about where his shoulders are when it’s down. He usually has it tied up in a ponytail though. His hair is the same color as mama’s. He also has hair on his face. His doesn’t look as neat as Micah’s.

“You done talking yet?” Cory asked, face unreadable.

“Never. That’s why I’m so good at my job.” Brennan winked. The little ones giggled again. They seemed to like him. I wasn’t sure yet, he likes to talk.

Cory sighed and turned his attention to the group. “Cory. I make sure we don’t starve. Farming, food, keeping us supplied—if you like eating, you’re welcome. If you complain about what’s on your plate…” He shot Brennan a look. “You can eat dirt.”

Brennan scoffed. “Still think you’re exaggerating about that soup.”

“It was literally dirt water,” Jamie muttered.

“It had flavor,” Brennan said, wounded.

“It had rocks,” Aiden said, chuckling.

“Rocks add texture.” Brennan looked at us all seriously. “I can cook.”

Jamie snorted. He was sitting cross-legged, arms resting on his knees. You could see the strength in him, in the way he didn’t need to prove it. His skin was sun-worn, his arms tattooed with old military symbols and there are plenty of other designs, obscured by his clothes. He had dark hair too and had hair just above his top lip. Not like the full bottom half of his face, like the other two. He noticed me looking and ran a hand over one of the tattoos, nodding toward me. He doesn’t seem unkind, he seems a lot like mama. Calm, collected, stoic.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, man.” Jamie leaned forward. “Anyway, I’m Jamie. If you’re weak, I’ll make you strong. If you’re strong, I’ll make you better. If you already think you’re the best…” His eyes flicked to Brennan. “I’ll put you on your ass and prove you wrong.” The boys giggled while Brennen did not seem amused. He looked directly at me, voice a little lower. “You’ll learn quick, kid.”

Brennan waved a hand like he was swatting a fly. “We sparred one time, and you can’t let it go, man.”

“You challenged me,” Jamie said flatly.

“And technically, I won.”

“You fell on him,” Aiden added, eyes gleaming with humor.

“A tactical maneuver!” Brennan threw his hands up. “It worked.” He shrugged and popped the last piece of jerky into his mouth.

Aiden sighed and stepped forward, the firelight catching on the amber flecks in his eyes. “I’m Aiden. First aid, herbalism, keeping people patched up. You get hurt, I’ll fix you. You don’t want to get hurt?” He glanced at Jamie and Micah. “Then listen to these two. As much as it pains me to say it.”

“That’s right,” Jamie said, smug.

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Aiden sighed. Too late, clearly.

Micah, who had been quietly tending the fire the whole time, finally glanced up. “Micah. Survivalist,” he said simply. His voice was quiet, but firm. “If you don’t want to die in the wild, I’m your guy. If you don’t listen…” He shrugged. “Well. I guess we’ll be digging a hole.”

Brennan winced. “Damn, Micah. Lighten the mood a little, would ya?”

Micah raised an eyebrow and smirked. “That was me lightening the mood.” Brennen’s was gaping, so much so, I thought his chin might touch the ground. It didn’t take him long before he recovered though.

Mama Bear crossed her arms, giving them all the look. “Let’s cut the language out. There are little ones present.”

“I dunno, ma’am,” Brennan said, not quite apologetic. “It’s hard to filter out sometimes. Want to go around again? I feel like I could make my intro even better—”

Everyone turned to stare at him.

“You couldn’t,” Jamie cut in.

“I could,” Brennan insisted. “More flair this time—”

“Please don’t,” Cory muttered.

“—maybe some dramatic lighting—” Brennan was already using his hands like spotlights.

Micah didn’t even look up. “We’re in the woods, Brennan.” They all laughed while Brennen shrugged. I don’t think that could have gone any other way.

I shook my head. I’ve noticed something as I’ve been watching them. They bickered like brothers, each playing off the other, but beneath the teasing, there’s something else. There’s something solid. These men had been through hell together. They trusted each other. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle at their jabs. I wasn’t sure yet if she trusted them, but they had saved us, are helping us, taking us to their home. For now, that was enough.

Mama bear spoke up now that it seemed like they were done. “Thank you for the introductions, but no one answered the original question.” They looked at one another and shrugged, then turned back to mama. Waiting for her to ask it again. “Where are we?”

“We’re near what used Chama New Mexico. We’re making our way towards what used to be Durango Colorado.” Micah is the one that spoke up and answered. I suppose we are following his lead as we try to make it back to their home. “It’s only been two days, so we probably have at least another five or six to go with a group like this.” Mama shifted, sad.

“I’m sorry we are delaying your plans to get back.” She said as she looked at each of us. Before she could continue I stepped in.

I jumped out of my seat and made my way over. Standing in the middle of the boys. “We appreciate you saving us!” The littles followed my lead and joined me. We all yelled “THANK YOU!” in unison. I realized I hadn’t thanked them properly this entire time. Mama sat back and smiled, and I hope this feeling lasts.

“You’re welcome little lass.” Aiden began packing back up first. They moved quickly and moved together as one. None of them spoke while they worked. “Let’s keep moving!”

Brennen piped back up.“The longer we rest, the longer we’re out here!” He seemed to urge us forward. From what I can gather, he doesn’t like the outdoors very much.

Cory also chimed in, “We’ll need to start hunting and foraging soon.” All of the boys nodded in agreement.

“We can make a plan at the next stop. Maybe get to the cabin in two days,” Cory said.

“That’d be perfect for rest and cleaning. We can let the littles stay there longer before the last leg to the Borough. Maybe we split into two groups—some head back to spread info and plan, others walk with the children,” Jamie suggested. He had a point. We were slowing them down, a lot.

“That’s a good idea. Make sure the rooms are ready before the second half arrives.” They nodded in agreement once more and we continued on our way.