A long line of people followed a small woman that had a compass in her hand. She turned around and smiled at everyone.
"Just a little bit further and we can stop. When we pass that hill, we should be able to find the spot I was talking about."
Their cheers resounded between the hills and scared bunch of animals. Sandra smiled, just a little bit further and there should be the spot she thought about.
Few days ago they started traveling. Few families choose to stay by the sea. Sandra was worried about their safety so she left them a few bows and arrows.
They actually found perfect spots for their homes on higher ground. When everyone offered to help them build the home they denied it. They planned to stay here for a while but were not completely sure about staying for good or following them.
So as they traveled, Sandra made instruction to prepare path. After all, she planned to go back to the sea area later on.
After walking for a day she was sure that this place is completely the same as Earth. But the animals they met so far were not completely the same as those she had in her picture books.
Evolution? Or species from another planet? So far they had no trouble and no animal attacked them.
They all stayed by the sea for a couple of days. Nearby was a river with clear water. They used the water to drink and cook simple meals.
Yes, cook. In her Earth, cooking was something forgotten. The meals were actually bars that were eaten and filling.
One bar would be enough to fill a human for the whole day. The food shortage made the government find new ways to feed humans.
They would extract as much protein they could from the animals they have held in big buildings, the plants they had planted under protection shields and as she go and out, no animals and no plants than different km and of organisms that they found on other planets.
Bugs for proteins and strange organisms that were quite nutritious would be nurtured in those buildings. They would extract trough process all they needed and press it into food bars.
She bought about a year's worth of packages. One big package can feed her whole family for a year. Actually she bought ten years' worth but gave rest to the orphanage and the young woman that helped her family come faster.
After they got the backpacks and food from her, they choose to help her transport her things until her chosen destination and she didn't mind.
In orphanage were many strong young men that could carry things or pull the small carriage with their belongings. As the number of things seemed big, but after sharing the stuff, not much was left.
A big package of food, few bows and arrows, the two crossbows. Pots and pans in the package, some cutlery, few plates, few knives, clothes, paper, clothes, and some smaller things.
Actually, she had bought a few camping backpacks as well. She gave her mother one and her sister in law one. Two more were left for the girls. There were two more but she gifted it to the older woman and her two grandchildren with food as well.
On the first day of their camp near the sea, she chose to start fishing. She took the fishing gear and step by step did what they said in the fishing manual. But it seems she was not a good fisherman.
She could see clearly that some children had luck but she wasn't as it seems more to be a fisherwoman.
So her family just searched surroundings and found wild vegetables, fruits and such. They choose to cook vegetables in seawater as they wanted to save seasonings and it was amazingly delicious.
The smell of cooked meals made everyone try to do the same and soon small yelps and cheers could be seen and heard from all the sides.
Their travel was not so extreme as they expected. Actually the reason why they felt that way is that usually, they wore multiple tens of pounds heavy protective gear. Now they could walk freely so even the stuff in their hands or backs was not that heavy.
''Miss, we recounted the people. Including those that were left on the shore, all together trough the portal passed 136 grown-up people and 223 children. All together we are 359 people including you.'' The youth from the orphanage was happy when she gave him this task.
Sandra furrowed her eyebrows. She felt its kind of strange. Wasnt theie more people? ''I thought is more.''
The young man shook his head. ''That was because there were so many people on such a small beach. All cramped together. But even if there is more, if they choose to go alone into the wilderness without you, maybe it is better for us? We followed you as we trust you.''
On her face a small smile appeared. ''You are right. It doesn't matter if they follow me or something. From my side, I did the best. Now we can start from new and will enjoy our life in this clean place. Crystal clear water to drink, healthy vegetables to eat, clean air to breathe. And so much space for everyone. Early or later the settlements will spread as people will look for their own part of the land. I am just happy to be able to save so many.''
She was clear in one thing. Trough the gate passed definitely over two thousand people. They probably just went their own way. But that is good as well. She didn't need to think about them.
Soon trough thick green she could hear water falling and so she hurriedly walked faster. ''We are there, yes, we are there.''
In her memory, this place was one of the most beautiful she ever saw on picture before. Beautiful waterfall, large lake and river. There is a large hill to climb and that was actually her destination. Suddenly from her back, she could hear calls. ''Miss Sandra, wait!''
Her heart was beating so hard but she still stopped her tracks while seeing the first nation's elder coming closer with a big smile. ''We would like to choose our own destiny. You probably want to go uphill, right?''
She nodded. ''Yes, the air there should be perfect and even the settlement would be on the good spot. You probably choose to be somewhere in the forest.'' She pointed at the hill bit further away. ''There is perfect place. You can look at it. Just consider it at least.''
He turned his look and his eyes constricted while turning his eyesight back. He nodded in understanding. ''We will consider it. By the way. Our youths found tracks of animals and went hunting them. Thank you for bows and arrows. After we make our own, we will bring these back to you.''
''No problem. Take your time.'' She then greeted all of them with a smile and almost half of the people were gone. Everyone was happy. Not because they would leave them, no it's because they made new friends that will appear sooner or later again.
Sandra turned her body towards the hill and smiled brightly at everyone. ''Just a little bit more and we will be home!''
Everyone cheered and started with new energy the heavy path up the hill where their new home was waiting for them.