The crew journeyed on, their silhouetted figures moving in a straight line beneath the full moon's silvery glow. They shuddered against the cool midnight breeze sweeping across the clearing, feet dragging through the sandy desert. Rowynn kept to the front, the others trailing behind.
Kymani yawned loudly. "How long till we get there?" he asked, sounding more tired with every step.
"I'm not sure," Valtor replied, slightly facing him. "But we can't stop until we reach the border."
Rowynn paused, crouching to her knees as she exhaled deeply, trying to summon more strength. She glanced up when a sharp squawking rang out overhead.
The rest of the team followed her gaze. A flock of birds was circling above them, invisible in the darkness until their wings flickered through the moonlight. Unable to see clearly, the birds swooped low, flapping and bumping into the group. Feathers brushed their faces, wings smacked shoulders, and chaos instantly erupted.
The youths bolted forward, yelping and stumbling over one another, suddenly forgetting the ache and stiffness in their legs.
After they'd run far enough to escape the surprise attack, Kymani collapsed onto the sand, bending forward as he gasped for air.
Orea rushed to his side, with Rowynn close behind. "Kymani, are you okay?" she asked, her tone rising.
"No!" he snapped, face scrunched in dramatic complaint. He grabbed her arm as though he were dying. "I'm tired, Orea. My legs must've gone fully limp by now."
"Okay, relax," she said calmly. Zara only shook her head at his antics and walked past.
"And you're squeezing my arm too hard," Orea added. Kymani finally let go.
Orea turned to Rowynn, motioning for a bottle of water. The younger girl handed it over.
"Drink this," Orea said, passing the bottle to Kymani before rising and moving toward Valtor, who had already continued ahead.
Catching up with him, she slowed, panting. "Valtor, everyone's tired. I don't think we can walk any further."
Valtor turned, a small smile tugging at his lips. "We don't need to."
"Why… are we there yet?" she asked, glancing ahead into the darkness, seeing nothing.
"Do you see that wall over there?" he asked.
"I can't see anything," she replied sharply.
He drew her closer, placing her in front of him, then rested his palm gently over her eyes like a shield. "Try squinting," he said.
Orea narrowed her gaze, focusing harder into the dark space. Slowly, a high line stretching endlessly across the horizon came into view. "I… I see it," she said, awe creeping into her voice. "That's the border?"
"I believe it is," Valtor replied calmly.
"Wow," she murmured. We're finally here… "Home," she whispered, though Valtor heard.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, drawing her close. Orea closed her eyes, sinking into the warmth of his embrace.
"We're safe now," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
Minutes later, the crew stood in a row, facing the Zaire–Vatican border. Their eyes swept across the enormous brick wall stretching endlessly before them.
"Kind of reminds me of that traumatizing metal wall in the forest," Zara muttered, earning murmurs of agreement.
"I'm just going to say what everyone's thinking," Kymani spoke after a moment. "How do we get over it?"
Lynx glanced at him. "I might have an idea."
All eyes turned toward him, impatient.
"I should be able to get us onto the wall," he said. "But you need to trust me."
Zara looked away. "I'm not sure I can do that."
"I don't see another way through," Lynx continued. "Let me help… please."
The group exchanged knowing glances at Zara.
"Fine," she relented. "What's your plan?"
Lynx formed a low, rectangular block of ice on the sand and stepped onto it. "We all need to get on," he said.
Slowly, hesitant, the crew stepped onto the icy platform.
"You might want to hold on to each other," Lynx added. The team exchanged glances, then linked their arms together.
"What now?" Valtor asked.
Lynx lowered his hands toward the block, mist curling from his palms. Slowly, the ice began to rise. The crew felt the air pressure shift as it lifted them higher and higher, their muscles trembling under the sudden altitude.
They let out awed gasps as the platform grew to the height of the brick wall, a short gap forming between the top of the ice block and the border.
Kymani peered over the edge. "That actually worked. Thanks, Lynx," he said as he carefully crossed to the border, reaching out to help the others.
"You're welcome," Lynx replied, a small satisfaction in his voice.
On the other side, the checkpoint sprawled across the horizon. Guard towers stood across the skyline, crowned with floodlights that shot harsh beams across the dark night. A row of administrative buildings and checkpoint offices huddled together beyond the wall, their windows dark, neon signs flickering faintly.
Their eyes scanned bold warning signs. Among them, a polished metal sign read: "Welcome to Zaire"
Cameras perched on poles glinting like unblinking eyes, some flags fluttered atop poles, marking the territory beyond the barrier. The air carried a faint tang of fuel and dust, mixing with the chill from the ice that still clung to the crew.
The group stood in silence, taking in the view. Suddenly, a floodlight swung toward them, blinding and harsh. They shielded their eyes instinctively.
"Hands over your heads!" a voice barked through a horn. A siren wailed instantly, sending shock through the team while they quickly obeyed the command.
Armed men in army uniforms poured from the offices, weapons raised high. Fear coursed through the crew as they exchanged nervous glances, breaths held.
"We come in peace!" Valtor yelled, raising his hands high.
"Who are you?" the amplified voice demanded.
"Refugees," Valtor replied, keeping his tone steady. "Seeking safety from the Regional Council. I'm Valtor Steel, son of Professor Malcolm Steel, renowned Nexist Professor and member of the council."
The soldiers exchanged subtle glances but held their aim steady.
"Stand down and obey every order, and you won't be harmed," the voice commanded.
Valtor glanced at his team. "Just do everything they say. We'll be fine," he whispered, tension still coiled in his chest.