After walking for what felt like forever across the endless barren land, the team finally spotted a small settlement on the horizon. At the end of the dusty road, they saw a wooden sign swaying slightly. Written clearly on the sign:
"Welcome to Dustvale Town"
Jason looked at the sign with a faint smile.
"I guess we're getting close to the target," he said.
Further down the road stood a town that looked like it had been pulled straight out of the Wild West. Old wooden buildings, dirt roads, people wearing leather hats… Everything looked so realistic that the whole team stared around in shock.
Millie: "These… these people look almost real!"
Albert: "Not almost… I'd say completely real."
As they debated this, the townsfolk had already noticed them. Within seconds, they were surrounded by curious stares. From the front of the crowd, an old man with a cane stepped forward and asked sternly:
Old Man: "Who are you?"
The team exchanged uncertain looks, unsure what to say, when Sunny jumped in.
"We… uh… were attacked by bandits on the road. We have nowhere to go. We travel as a family."
Sunny quickly made up an improvised family story:
"This is my sister Millie…" Then pointing to Duncan "And this is my sister's son."
Millie and Duncan turned to her at the same time, their faces full of shock.
Their looks screamed "What?!" but Sunny continued:
"Albert is our cousin… And the boy's father is…"
At that moment Marcus and Jason both stepped forward at once,
"Me!" they said together.
The crowd went silent, nobody understanding what just happened. Marcus and Jason exchanged glares, silently battling for the role.
Sunny narrowed her eyes and pinched Marcus on the arm.
"You misunderstood," she said quickly, turning back to the crowd.
"This is Marcus… the boy's uncle. He calls him father because he sees him that way. Isn't that right, Marcus?"
Seeing Sunny's threatening glare, Marcus cleared his throat.
"Yes… that's right," he muttered awkwardly.
The old man nodded. "I see. So you've been through hard times."
Hearing this, the townsfolk pitied the "family" and accepted them.
From within the crowd, a middle-aged man with the look of an official stepped forward.
"Did you have any professions before? In our town, you can continue those jobs to make a living."
The team, knowing they needed to stay here, quickly began to think.
Marcus jumped forward without hesitation:
"I was a cowboy!" he declared proudly.
Jason raised an eyebrow. "A cowboy?"
Marcus nodded. "Exactly!"
One of the townsfolk chuckled. "Perfect! Then your first task will be taking care of our stables."
Marcus's face fell instantly. "Stables?.." he muttered, realizing this wasn't what he imagined.
Jason bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"I was a sheriff," he said. A few townsfolk looked at him with surprise, while Marcus leaned toward Millie and whispered, "Weren't cowboys sheriffs too?"
After thinking a bit, Sunny smiled and jumped in.
"I was a doctor."
The team gave her strange looks. Sunny immediately defended herself:
"What? Remember my power! I'm a healer, I was born for this."
Millie nodded. "Alright, fair enough."
Albert said calmly, "I was a baker."
Millie thought for a while but nothing came to mind. Just then Duncan came up beside her and whispered, "Mothers usually take care of the children at home." Millie nodded and went with it.
At that moment, a cheerful woman stepped forward:
"You must be tired. Let me show you a place to stay."
She led the team to the largest empty house in the town. Handing Jason the key as they entered, she said:
"There are four bedrooms. Everything is provided. Rest today, tomorrow you'll begin your work. We also have a school for the children."
As the door closed, everyone let out a deep breath. Sunny flopped onto a couch.
"Well, not bad. Better than staying outside."
Marcus sprawled onto another sofa. "Yeah, but this cowboy thing… not what I thought."
Jason smiled. "What did you expect? Constant gunfights and duels?"
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "Yes, exactly that."
Albert looked around, inspecting the house. "This place really feels like a home. Almost… too realistic."
Millie nodded. "That's what worries me too. Everyone and everything here… it's as if they're truly living in this world."
Sunny leaned back with a grin. "That's why I said… we need to adapt. As long as we stay in our roles, no one will suspect anything."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly did you come up with that 'family' idea?"
Sunny chuckled. "Improvised. But admit it, I saved all of you."
Millie smiled faintly. "This time… you're right."
Duncan sat quietly in the corner, his eyes scanning the surroundings constantly.
As night approached, Sunny quickly announced:
"Ahem! I saved your lives. One room is entirely mine." She dashed upstairs.
Marcus stood up immediately after.
"I don't share rooms with anyone!" he said, claiming another room.
That left two rooms for four people: Albert, Millie, Jason, and Duncan.
Albert smiled. "Jason and I will share. Millie, you'll stay with Duncan."
Duncan wanted to protest, but couldn't manage to.
Millie nodded at Albert's suggestion, not seeing any issue...
She closed the door and stood in the middle of the room. Looking out the window, she saw the town's dirt roads lit by lanterns. A gentle breeze stirred the curtains.
Duncan sat at the edge of the bed, eyes cast downward. Millie turned to him with a smile.
"Tired, little man?"
Duncan lifted his head, a faint smile on his face.
"A little… but I'm fine."
Millie sat at the other end of the bed, placing her hands on her knees.
"You know, you never complained all day. You're very sweet. Most kids would have whined after walking so much."
Duncan gave a small nod. "I guess… I'm used to it," he said, his voice carrying a shy tone.
Millie nodded. "Still… you were brave today. The crowd, the old man, that whole 'family' story… tough stuff for someone your age."
Duncan tried to smile but said little.
Millie got up and walked to the small nightstand. She pulled out a blanket and draped it over Duncan's shoulders.
"So you don't get cold. And besides, we'll be waking up early tomorrow — you need to rest well."
Duncan lowered his head slightly in gratitude.
"Thank you… Millie."
Millie reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Alright, now get to bed. Tomorrow a new life begins."
Duncan snuggled into the blanket and closed his eyes. Millie turned off the lamp.
The only light came from the dim moonlight slipping through the window.
Within minutes, the room was filled with nothing but the steady rhythm of their breathing.
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