Dear Dad,

  We’re still in the little village that we were in yesterday. Vallitop village. I don’t know what happened, but we were all overcome by some weird sickness this morning. Miss Dari says it isn’t uncommon for those coming out of the valley.

  Something about the place does it to them. And to us, I guess. Since we were all too sick to travel today, we stayed in the village an extra day. However, Willow was saying that if this illness lasts more than another day, we should leave. She told the rest of us this in private. She doesn’t want to insult our hosts if they’re not doing anything. Still, she worries that they might be poisoning their brand-new guests to get the cult points across about the people of the valley and their way of life. But until we’re sure, we’re more or less just crashing on couches.

  I don't see how making us sick would help them get the point across, but I guess crazy cult-y people don't really have to actually make sense.

  Riley said that we should try to find a map or something for the region since we’re mostly just trusting word of mouth, and the first guy we talked to said it wouldn’t take very long. It’s taken so long, though. It’s been a month or more? And we’re still not in the city. It’s not actually that far between most cities, right? How far do we travel every day anyway?

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  Tomorrow, we’re going to try to leave again if we’re feeling a little better. That is, I don’t know how far we’ll get feeling the way we do. Reese has been throwing up since the middle of last night, so I don’t think he’s going far tomorrow, even if he feels better.

  We might be in a bit of trouble while looking for a map. We’re not exactly the kind of group who can afford a map around here.

  Apparently, maps are super duper expensive, and we have no money. We never have any money. We’re usually lucky that people are generally willing to help us. I don’t know the plan after we get to the city. We've been talking about where we might go, how there might be someone who just happens to be able to help us get home, But I think that won’t be the case. I mean, it seems like every time we turn around, someone is tricking us into working for them or kidnapping someone or something else, that is, you know, just not us getting home. And really, we can’t afford to get stuck somewhere. That would be terrible, and what if they want us to pay? How are we supposed to get jobs here? People keep using us for free labor and then send us off with supplies and stiff but no money?

  Dear Jack’s dad,

  Jack fell asleep while writing this letter. I’m just finishing it up and also saying hi myself. I doubt any of these will get to you, but thanks for raising a good kid. He’s really been a good person to have traveling with us, and he’s been really helpful and good for our morale. He’s right to worry about what will happen when we get to the city, but for his sake, I hope it’ll blow right over, and he’ll be back to you soon.

  Love from Jack and warm feelings from Reese.

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