ITT: We're Animals in a Post-Apocalyptic Town

"Yeah," says Peter. "I wouldn't be surprised if they had something to do with him..."

The small bird peeks out from its tree. Seeing that it's now safe to do so, it flies out and lands on one of the lower branches.

(Wanda notices the bird landing back near them.) You know, that really is a cool little bird. No wonder you wanted to see it so bad. (Wanda remarks to Rena.)

Rena is already taking pictures of the bird.

"This is it, no doubt about it!" she says excitedly. "There haven't been any confirmed sightings in decades! Ooh, this will be the news story of the year!"

"Hey, look!" says Peter. He points to a spot further up on the branch, where a nest can be seen. Several baby birds poke their heads out from inside it, looking around curiously.

Edited by Bluethorn on May 19th 2020 at 1:52:42 PM

"Aww, poor things," says Jack. "I'm glad that other bird didn't hurt them."

"Looks like everything turned out pretty well, didn't it?" says Peter, taking in the view of the jungle below the cliff and the beach far away. It all looks beautiful from up here.

"Maybe this is a sign that the future has good things in store for Crystal Shores. I'd love to see this place become a vacation resort again someday."

"Yeah... I just hope they don't tear this place apart to build things, though. It's so beautiful."

I wouldn't mind coming back here again either. (Wanda remarks.)

With their mission on the island complete, the group heads back the way they came, through the cave and the jungle, towards the beach. By the time they reach the shore, the sun is already setting. The Sapphire bobs gently up and down on the spot where they anchored it up ahead.

"Phew!" says Peter. "I'm glad we made it out of the jungle before it got too dark. Ready to go home, guys?"

"Yeah," says Jack. "We've discovered a lot here. I wonder if Professor Diggs or someone else will know more about the things we've seen..."

Krista simply nods, ready to head back.

The trip back is uneventful, and the group arrives back at Gunther's boat rental shop some time after nightfall. Peter anchors the boat at the pier and hops off.

Well, now what?

I'm ready to get some sleep. Is there a good inn nearby? (Wanda asks.)

"It looks like there's an inn not too far from here," says Peter, looking at his map of the surrounding areas. "It's much closer than the town, so it would probably be a good idea to stay the night there and finish heading back tomorrow."

"That sounds good," says Jack. "I'm exhausted."

Yeah, I'm ready to sssleep for daysss at thisss point...

I'm all for that. Let's go.

Day Three

The group spends a quiet night at the little inn by the side of the road near town, and arrives back in the town square by morning. Rena hands everyone their share of the payment for the job.

"Thank you so much, everyone!" she says. "I've got to get these pictures to the station right away. Make sure not to miss tomorrow's paper!"

We won't!

"Yeah, thank you!" says Jack.

No problem! (Wanda says to Rena.) Thanks a ton!

"It's great to be back home," says Peter as Rena leaves for the news station. "So what are you guys going to do now?"

Dunno. Maybe we jussst get back to sssome form of normal life until sssomeone elssse callsss usss?

"I think I'll go back to the workshop for now," says Jack. "I should see how Anton is doing."

Think I'll go home and take a long rest. See if I can't get better at what I do while I'm there. (Wanda says.)