Gia''s sadness was quickly turned to apprehension as the sound of hooves and a wagon could be heard from outside. Renno jumped quickly to look out the window. He waved off her apprehension and said, "It is just my aunt. She is here to help with my mom, like I had mentioned. It looks like she has two of my cousins with her." He could tell by the look on her face she was still ready to bolt. "You can sit in my room while I get them settled if you like," he said as he pointed in the direction of his room. She went in that direction as he went outside to greet his aunt and cousins.


    "Hello Aunt Mayza, " Renno yelled in greeting as his aunt and cousins pulled their wagon next to the house.


    "It has been a very long time, Renno! Just look at you!" his aunt smiled brightly at him. "You are twice as tall as last I saw you, and you have grown so handsome. Look at him, Dorsa, Glen." She waved for his cousins to see him. Renno felt a bit embarrassed. Mayza''s expression darkened, "And how is my sister. You said in your letter that is was very bad."


    "Yes, Mayza, she can hardly move anymore. She barely knows who I am, and when she does it is fleeting. I did not know what else to do but ask you for help, especially since you have helped people after they fell to the Wilds."


    "That I have, Renno, and it burns your heart to the center no matter who they are. We have brought herbs which should help ease her a bit, and I have a wagon full of food." She smiled at him even though her eyes still showed her worry for her sister.


    Renno wanted to tell her that they had plenty of food because he had continued to do his best in the fields, but he kept thinking about what Gia had told him about the fertilizer. "Thank you, Mayza, please come inside. Hello, cousins." He said looking to all three of them and then motioning to the door.


    After they all came in and settled themselves on different chairs, Mayza asked Renno, "How often is she herself? You said she has been in bed for a year?" She paused, Renno nodded. "I wish you had sent word sooner, but we shall do everything we can."


    "She fades in and out a lot. She probably knows herself less than half of the time, now." Renno replied. "I know it was not smart of me, but I really thought she would get better with some rest. I feel so guilty."


    Gia was listening from his room and she felt guilty as well, which made her step out and blurt, "It is not your fault, though. You should not feel guilty, Renno!" Looking around the room after her quick speech and slow thinking, she realized she was in a room with three people she did not know.


    Mayza looked over at her and smiled. "She is right, nephew. This is not your fault. I am sure you did everything your heart told you to do to help her, and that is more than most would do."


    "Thank you Mayza, but the feeling is still there and will always be a lump in my heart. Mom deserves better than this." Renno bowed his head.


    Gia felt a bit nervous because Mayza was still looking right at her. "Please introduce me to your friend, Renno." Mayza said, still smiling.


    Renno and Gia stared at each other. "This is, uhm..." Renno broke off, realizing that Gia probably did not want her name advertised since she was being hunted. They both blurted out made up names at the same time.


    "Fela" Gia said.


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    "Kendi" Renno said.


    They both were silent for a couple moments after. Mayza burst out laughing. When she caught her breath, she said, "Gia, dear, I know who you are. I changed your diapers on occasion. I do not know why you are here, but if I was to guess based on your vehement outburst to Renno not being at fault for his mother, I would say you know just how evil your father and his men are." Gia looked angered for a moment because someone insulted her father, but she sullied her anger realizing that Mayza was correct. Seeing her reaction, Mayza continued, "I was there when this all became as bad as it is now. Your mother and I were great friends. I left twelve years ago when you were still young." Mayza shuddered. "I have been helping cure those that I could and easing the pain of those I could not since then. Your father would be after me as well, if he could figure out who was subverting his efforts. Yes, the soldiers questioned me on the way here, so I was not surprised to see you, just surprised at who you were. Why are you here, my little Gigi?"


    Gia''s jaw dropped. She remembered who Mayza was now. It was like a forgotten memory coming back breaking walls down on its way in. Her mother''s friend had always called her Gigi. She was filled with anxiety and a warmed heart at the same time. She had loved this woman when she was young! "I called you Auntie..." she dropped off, looking down in reflection. She looked up with a firm resolve and said, "I am on my way to stop all of this."


    The room was quiet for a bit whilst everyone''s thoughts settled.


    Mayza looked around the quiet room, then back at Gia. "How do you plan on stopping this and what do you know about the Wilds?"


    Gia, more firm in her resolve, calmly said, "The Wilds is a poison that only affects certain families and is in the food everyone eats because of the fertilizer. The Ministry of Science is killing people, calling normal people monsters, and it is pure evil. I know who is number one on their list and I am going to find him and help him. I also know where they think he is hiding. I am going to find him and help him."


    "That''s... that''s your whole plan?" Mayza asked, sounding a bit amused. "Who is this man?"


    Gia, looking a bit annoyed, said, "Kestrin of the Mountain."


    Mayza turned from amused to shocked in the blink of an eye. "Kestrin lives? They said he was dead when I was still with the Ministry. If he lives, you must go now and take Renno with you." She looked at Renno''s now shocked face. "You do as Kestrin asks and we might have a chance. I''ll send you with safe food. Do not eat any more poisoned food. We need you healthy, nephew."


    "But..." Renno looked from his aunt to Gia, who now looked almost energized.


    "Don''t you worry, I am here to take care of my sister," Gia said, now looking proudly down at her nephew. "You and Gigi might just save us all. We''ll get your food packed onto the little cart." Gia looked at her children, who rose and walked outside with her.


    Renno sat there bewildered, unable to find a coherent thought. How had this day gone from plucking vegetables from the field to escorting a girl he did not know on some journey to save people from the Wilds? He had never been further than the closest town and now he was going to who-knows-where. The anxiety of it all felt like great weight on his chest and he felt like he could not breathe. Gia was asking him something, but he could not make out the words. He stood up and walked to his room and started numbly putting clothes in a bag.


    Gia now sat alone in an unfamiliar room vacated by all the unfamiliar people. She did not mean to get Renno wrapped up in this. She wondered how, out of all the places she could have been, she wound up at this farm where her mother''s friend just happened to arrive. It felt like it could be a good sign or a bad sign, but she really hoped that it was the former. Feeling too awkward alone in the room, she walked toward the noises of Renno putting clothes in a bag.


    She walked in and sat on his bed next to the bag he was filling. "I am sorry I got you involved." She said, knowing it was only half true. She did feel sorry that this quest, her quest, was thrown upon him, but she was also incredibly happy that she would not be alone.


    Renno looked at her for a moment. When his body finally allowed him to speak, he said, "You did not come here to pull me in, and I am still really unaware of what is going on, but if this can help my mother and others like her, then it is worth doing. No one should see their family suffer like this." He paused, cinching his bag, then resumed, "But I am sorry for ignoring you in there. I was overwhelmed."