Duke couldn't help but smile to himself as he stole glances at her serene face, his mood lifting with each look.
The exhaustion that had weighed him down seemed to fade away, and for the rest of the ride, he felt a warmth spreading through him until they finally reached the hidden base.
By the time they reached the hidden base, the sky was already growing dark—just in time to prepare for dinner. As soon as Dracon and the others jumped down from the truck, they stood frozen, awestruck by the sight before them.
The base, already illuminated by warm, steady lights, filled them with excitement and hope. Unlike the ruined cities and abandoned towns they had passed through, where electricity was nothing but a memory, this place was alive with power.
The presence of electricity meant more than just light—it promised warmth during the cold nights, cooling during brutal heat waves that could lead to heatstroke, and maybe even running water.
