Zehara climbed down from the truck, her boots kicking up dust as she landed on the uneven ground. She turned to Uncle Shawn with a small smile. "Thank you for everything. I'm heading down to the city now, but I won't forget your kindness."
Uncle Shawn tipped his hat. "Take care, Zehara. The city's no place to let your guard down. If you ever need help, you know where to find me."
Zehara nodded, then glanced at Nicolas. "Take care, kid. And remember, the world's bigger than it seems. Don't get stuck thinking small."
Nicolas nodded, unsure of what to say. He watched as she adjusted her bag and began walking down the winding road toward the city. There was something about her confidence and purpose that left an impression on him.
As the truck rumbled back toward the farm, Uncle Shawn broke the silence. "She's got her path, and we've got ours. Come on, lad."
Back at the farm, life returned to its usual rhythm, but Nicolas couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in his mind. For days, he went through the motions—helping Uncle Shawn tend to the crops and livestock—but his mind always drifted back to the man in the mansion.
One evening, as they sat by the fire, Uncle Shawn finally broke the silence. "You've been distracted, boy. Something on your mind?"
Nicolas hesitated, then sighed. "It's him. The man who bought the necklace. I can't stop thinking about him. What if he really is my father?"
Uncle Shawn stared into the flames, his face thoughtful. "It's a lot to process, I know. But you need to be clear about one thing: what do you want to do about it?"
Nicolas looked at him, determination flickering in his eyes. "I need to find him. I need to know the truth."
Uncle Shawn nodded slowly. "Then we'll figure it out together. But remember, the city's not like here. There are rules, and breaking them comes with consequences. If you're serious about this, there's no turning back."
"I'm ready," Nicolas said firmly.
Uncle Shawn smiled faintly. "We'll see about that. Tomorrow, we'll start preparing. For now, get some rest. You'll need your strength for what's coming."
Nicolas lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling. The road ahead was uncertain and dangerous, but he couldn't stay in the dark any longer.
The journey was about to begin.
The following morning, Nicolas was jolted awake by Uncle Shawn's frantic shouts. "Nicolas! Get up, now!"
He stumbled out of bed, his heart pounding as he rushed outside. Uncle Shawn stood by the truck, his face tense.
"Get to Jay! He's in the truck, waiting. He'll drive you, and you'll take over when needed—you know the basics," Uncle Shawn barked, shoving a small bag into Nicolas's hands.
"Wait, what's going on?" Nicolas asked, panic rising. "Why can't I stay here?"
Uncle Shawn grabbed him by the shoulders, his grip firm. "Listen to me, boy. Whatever happens, do not come back here. The less you know, the safer you'll be. Trust Jay and keep moving."
Nicolas wanted to argue, to demand answers, but the look in Uncle Shawn's eyes stopped him. It was a mixture of urgency and fear, something he had never seen before.
"Go!" Uncle Shawn shouted, giving him a push toward the truck.
Jay was already in the driver's seat, revving the engine. "Get in!" he yelled.
Nicolas climbed into the passenger seat just as Jay hit the gas. The truck roared to life, kicking up dirt as it sped away from the farm. Nicolas turned to look back, but Uncle Shawn was already out of sight.
"What's happening?" Nicolas asked, his voice shaky.
Jay's jaw tightened. "Don't ask questions right now. We need to get as far away as we can."
Nicolas sat back, clutching the bag Uncle Shawn had given him. His mind raced with unanswered questions, but one thing was clear—this wasn't just about him anymore. Whatever had just happened, it had forced them into motion, and there was no turning back.
As the truck barreled down the road, Nicolas couldn't shake the feeling that his journey was only just beginning—and that Uncle Shawn had just made a sacrifice he might never understand.
As the truck sped farther from the farm, the distant roar of multiple engines became louder. Nicolas and Jay exchanged a worried glance. Turning back, Nicolas could barely make out the dust clouds rising behind the vehicles rushing toward the farm.
"They're going after Uncle Shawn," Nicolas whispered, panic creeping into his voice.
Jay clenched the wheel tightly, his jaw set. "We can't go back. He told us not to, no matter what. Don't forget his words."
"But—" Nicolas began, but Jay's sharp tone cut him off.
"No! If we go back, we'll make things worse. We have to trust him."
The truck fell silent as they drove further, the noise of the pursuing vehicles fading into the distance. Both of them were heavy with worry, but Uncle Shawn's instructions left no room for argument.
As they neared the city's outskirts, Nicolas suddenly remembered something—or someone. He turned to Jay, his voice rising. "Zehara! She was heading to the city!"
Jay glanced at him, his face grim but curious. "And?"
"She knows the city better than we do," Nicolas said, leaning forward. "She could help us."
Jay hesitated, then sighed. "Alright, but finding her in this place might be like finding a needle in a haystack."
Just as he finished speaking, they saw her—standing by the road with her bag over her shoulder, waving them down.
"That's her!" Nicolas exclaimed.
Jay pulled over quickly. Zehara walked up to the truck, her face a mixture of relief and curiosity. "You two? What's going on?"
"No time to explain," Jay said, motioning for her to climb in. "Just get in. We need to keep moving."
Zehara hesitated for a moment, then threw her bag into the back and climbed into the truck's cab. "Alright, but you'd better tell me what's going on soon," she said, glancing between them.
As they drove into the city proper, Nicolas felt the tension in the truck. Jay looked like he was carrying the weight of the world, and Zehara's sharp gaze kept flicking toward him, picking up on his despair.
"What happened back there?" Zehara finally asked.
Nicolas glanced at Jay, but the older boy stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the road. "We... had to leave the farm. Uncle Shawn told us not to go back, no matter what," Nicolas said quietly.
Zehara frowned but didn't press further. "Alright. So what's the plan?"
Nicolas hesitated, then looked to Jay, hoping he had an answer. But Jay just shook his head. "We'll figure it out. For now, we just need to stay safe."
The truck rolled deeper into the city, the towering buildings and bustling streets swallowing them whole. Nicolas clutched the bag Uncle Shawn had given him, wondering what lay ahead—and what they had left behind.