Hope

Emerging from the frame of the serene forest, the scene opened up to a lively market place, set within the wide sidewalks. 

There were stalls, dozens of them, surrounded by many patrons, showing off various goods—many of which they never thought they'd see again.

There were scores and scores of people shopping around. Each one, without exception, looked neat and clean, and all of them with wide smiles on their faces. 

To be honest, it was such a stark contrast to what they've gone through the past few days that they half-thought it was an illusion. 

The guard saw them staring and explained, very patiently. 

"The Marketplace is still under construction, so the stalls are basically set up along the road. We don't have cars here yet anyway." 

Their eyes twitched.

That was not the point of why they were in a daze, okay?!

Food!!!!

Legitimate food!!!!!!