text: Now that Billie was on board with trying to rescue Liam and Joe, they’d thrown themselves into the planning wholeheartedly. It hadn’t taken them long to insist that they would need more help. Though part of Madeline wished that it could stay just *her and Billie*, she knew deep down that her friend was right. So she reluctantly agreed to go to their group’s next meeting. And that meant they had a long way to travel. The two weeks that remained until the next assembly would take place should be ample to cover the distance, even with the meandering route they’d have to take to ensure they had sufficient cover and with plenty of stops along the way, but that didn’t make Billie any less eager to get going. They made sure that Madeline was packed up and ready to leave within an hour of the decision being made. Then, the long hours of walking began. They agreed on parallel paths, trying to remain in range of each other on the walkie-talkies, but far enough away so as not to be detectable by any Poiloogs in the area. Though they tried to keep each other company from afar, it was clear that both of their minds were elsewhere. Snatches of conversation trailed off all too easily. The same topics were repeated over and over. But Madeline didn’t mind. Just the sound of Billie’s voice brought her comfort -- a perpetual reminder that she was no longer truly alone in the word. By the time they paused for lunch, they were pretty much out of the city. Given the nice weather and lack of other options, Billie suggested that they eat outside for a change. The occasional farmhouse dotted the otherwise green landscape, leaving a clear view in most directions. Madeline found her head swivelling around even more than usual, continually checking over her shoulder. The lack of obstacles obscuring the horizon gave them plenty of warning if anything might be coming, but also left them exposed. “What will we do when we get further out?” Madeline asked between mouthfuls. Billie frowned. “What do you mean?” “I mean, I haven’t really been out of the city since... well, since the Poiloogs first came. I imagine as we get further into the country it will be difficult to find places to sleep. Particularly if we want to find two buildings close enough together but also far enough apart.” “Not really,” Billie replied. “Not with some careful route planning anyway. There are plenty of small villages between here and our destination. As long as we stop in one each night we’ll be fine.” “And what about the Poiloogs? Are there fewer out here? More?” “About the same really.” “Huh,” Madeline said, taking in the information. “Surprised?” “A little. I’d always assumed it would be quieter out here. Given the lack of buildings and shops, there aren’t many resources, which means not many people. Why would the Poiloogs waste resources patrolling here?” “You’re kidding, right?” Billie asked. The incredulous grin that was spreading across their face made Madeline flush with preemptive embarrassment. “Nooo,” she said slowly. “Why do you say that? And please be nice about it!” Billie gasped, grabbing their chest as if wounded. “Am I ever anything but nice? No! Don’t answer that. I’m not sure I want to know.” They chuckled at the glare Madeline shot them before continuing, “We may not be surrounded by shops and houses with packets and tins of food. But you know what we are surrounded by?” “Farms!” Madeline groaned. “Oh my lord, I can be slow sometimes. I bet a lot of people were eager to move out here when everything kicked off.” “Oh, they were. Some of them still are. If you know what you’re doing you can survive quite well out here. It’s a shame neither of us were farmers, eh?” “I suppose so.” “Now, are you ready to get going again?” Billie asked, climbing to their feet and holding a hand out for her. “If I say no, do I get to eat more?” Billie bent to grab her hand and used it to haul her up. “Come on lazy bones! The sooner we get going the sooner we can stop for the night.” \ Just as planned, they reached a small village later that afternoon. Seeing as they only had to average a distance of around five miles a day, Billie suggested they stop there until tomorrow so that they could spend some time relaxing and recuperating. When they’d found houses to sleep in a few streets away from each other, they went to meet up at a pub on the opposite side of the village. Madeline arrive first, though only because Billie was in the process of sweeping the surrounding block. After a quick check around the building, she stepped up to the garden wall and jumped, grabbing hold of the top as firmly as she could. With a burst of effort, she hauled herself up, pressing her toes into the wall for extra help. When she was securely on top, she swung her legs over and landed nimbly on the other side before taking a seat at one of the tables in the beer garden. It wasn’t long before Billie joined her. She heard a loud exhale as a pair of hands appeared over the wall, followed shortly by her friend’s face, then body. They waved at her quickly from the top before jumping down and strolling over. “So what did you want to do in our time off?” Billie asked as they approached. “I’m guessing sparring -- or exercise of any kind -- is out of the question? For now at least.” “Forever, if I have anything to say about it,” Madeline replied. They took a seat nearby, hopping up to sit on the table and rest their feet on the bench. “Nah! I’ll wear you down. And the best thing is, you know it too. I can see the acceptance in your eyes!” “You can see no such thing,” Madeline said haughtily, folding her arms and turning her head away. But she couldn’t hold the expression long. A moment later, a stifled giggle burst out from her lips. “Alright, alright. *I’ll* admit that I actually quite like having someone to spar with if *you’ll* admit that sometimes you’re *extremely* relieved when I talk you into having a break.” “Me? Need a break? Never!” Billie exclaimed. Then, they cracked a smile. “Oh, alright then. You might be onto something there.” Madeline grinned back. “So, with that in mind, what did *you* want to do now?” “Well... what do you think about taking the time to come up with a bit more of a plan?” “A plan for the--” “The rescue, yeah. Don’t get me wrong, we’ll still ask the group for their input, but I’d like to present as complete an idea as possible to them. I think they’re more likely to go for it if we can make it sound like a realistic possibility.” “That makes sense,” Madeline said, nodding along. “So did you have any ideas? Or did you want me to start?” “Go ahead,” Billie said with a wave of their hand. “Okay, so I figure the first question we have to answer is: where are they?” It didn’t take long for the pair of them to lose themselves in questions and answers, details and ideas beginning to take shape as the sun sank lower and lower in the sky.