After 202 years of people living in what we thought was just an endless desert, barely anything around, and everyone fighting and blaming each other, a few of us made it to the green lands. There were people here, but even here life was set back to the bare basics. Still, they had more than the rest of us. You’re probably wondering who I am… for those who don’t know, I’m Jack Camel, son of Rogers Camel. Two years ago, my dad, Kathy, his old friend John, and I left our tribe and started crossing what felt like an endless desert, searching for the green land. As we left, our tribe was being attacked. John got hurt and only lasted a few days. A few weeks later, we met a family—a husband, wife, and their daughter Abby. She was my age, 14 back then. We joined forces with them, and over the rest of the journey we became friends. About a year later, when the journey was almost over, my dad died. I had to take up leading the group. It was hard. I thought I couldn’t do it. A month later, Gordon died too. But a few months after that, we finally made it to the green land. It’s been about a year since we arrived. Abby’s my best friend, even though she doesn’t know it, and I’ve got feelings for her. Don’t tell her that though. We’re living with the people here. There are gardens, log houses, and fresh water. The people are nice. Martha lives in her own house. Me and Abby live in a different one—definitely not my idea, lol. We all work together. Me and Abby take care of the animals. I help build stuff. Martha cooks and is also the medic. Kathy makes stone tools and weapons. Right now, we’re in the town center—where everyone eats. I’m sitting at a table while Abby talks to Martha. I can’t help staring at her. She looks back at me with this sweet happy smile, and my stomach does that twisty thing. I smile back, then go back to pretending I’m eating. Kathy comes over and chuckles. “You just gotta go for it,” she says. I do a nervous chuckle. “Uh… go for what?” I ask, pretending I don’t know. Later that night, me and Abby head to our log house. We get to our rooms. I can’t stop thinking about what Kathy said. Maybe she’s right… maybe I should go for it. Who knows.

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