I led the three kids into the village from there, which was entirely undefended. I made it into the town square before the first kid bolted, running right into his mother’s arms with no small amount of wailing. The other kid drifted away in the same fashion and soon the narrow streets were lined with sobbing villagers and shouts were ringing out all over the place.

I tried to set the little girl I was still holding down onto the street so she could scamper off too, but she clamped down on my neck, and I didn’t want to hurt her by yanking her free.

Ezzie said.

{Lizzie Holden} (Level 2 Humanoid) (NPC)

HP: 100/100

Ezzie said.

I walked down the road, the girl in tow. One of the reunited families watched me pass, their eyes wet with tears.

I said.

I checked the nearest kid I’d saved.

{Village Child} (Level 2 Humanoid) (Mindless)

HP: 50/50

I said. Was that why she’d felt somehow different from the rest? I’d assumed it was just my memories of Flynn that made her seem more real than the others.

her if she was alive, she’d say yes, and she’d definitely be confused as to how you could possibly not know that. Do keep in mind that you’re asking a soulless piece of shit about sentience, so your mileage may vary.>

I ignored the jibe. How many deaths had this little girl gone through, then? How many times had she been torn apart in that dark, damp cave? How many of those deaths was Ezzie responsible for, let alone the greater population of Pilots?

That last bit reminded me of something, and I was eager to change the subject, to think about literally anything else.

Ezzie said.

I said, not really following that last bit.

As Ezzie had said, the Mayor’s home was nothing special: just a slightly larger hut that seemed better taken care of than most. We started through the grassy front yard, and a curvy woman came running out of the house, screaming at the top of her lungs.

The little girl kicked and wriggled in my arms, trying to get free, so I set her down and she met what could only have been her mother halfway.

Her father—a short man in worn leather clothing—joined them in the front yard a few moments later. He motioned me over, and as soon as I was within arm’s reach he grabbed me by both of my shoulders.

“You don’t understand what this means to us,” he said. “I…we heard that she’d been taken, and we’d hoped, but.” He swallowed, hard. He had his daughter’s eyes: blue, watery, bright. “We don’t have much here, but small towns don’t forget a favor like this. Thank you, stranger.” He released me and turned back to his daughter.

Quest complete: Safe Passage!

You have been awarded 200 Experience and 200 Renown.

Congratulations! You have been awarded a Personal Estate!

Hidden Objective Complete: Finish both {Safe Passage} and {Faster Now!} without losing a single child.

You have been awarded an additional 200 Experience!

The villagers of Hillcrest have sent a {Mystery Box} to your Personal Estate!

The Mayor of Hillcrest has sent a {Building Token} to your Personal Estate!