Beau sat on a high standing stone mound at the outskirts of the city, looking through the trees down to the city below, or what was left of it. The various slave camps being controlled by the ETs were visible by the unique markings. Each camp was built in an octagonal shape, a blue burning substance flaring in the middle, lasting all day and all night but exuding no smoke. Beau's breath simmered in the air in front of him, his dark eyes surveying what was playing out below. He pulled up the collar of his thick coat up around his neck to keep the early morning chill from reaching his skin. 

"Beau!" A small voice cried out. "Hey Beau!" The little voice cried out again, getting closer. A young boy raced up the hill that led to the stone mound, a letter clutched in his small hand. His body was covered in what appeared to be an adults jacket, over-sized scarf and beanie cap. His little face was barely visible through the mound of clothing covering his body to keep him warm. His cheeks poking through the high-collared jacket were flushed pink. He stopped right at the lowest rock of the mound and bent over, resting his forearms on his knees as he gasped for breath from running up the hill. 

Beau turned around to look at who was calling his name and smiled when he saw Alex, waiting patiently for him to catch his breath. Alex coughed, inhaled deeply, then straightened himself up right, readjusting the jacket to sit better on his small shoulders. The boy pulled the beanie back from his brow to better see Beau, his green eyes looking up to him, a wide smile lighting up his face. 

"Beau! I have something for you!" His voice was full of excitement and wonder. Children were always innocent and full of fun but to see a child in their current despondent times be filled with such excitement made Beau a bit curious. Alex raised his arm upwards, his hand clutching a wide brown envelope, and swaying it from side to side. "It's for you Beau!" Alex said, now jumping up and down on his toes.

Beau met Alex's smile with a grin and turned full around. With his hands at the back of the stone, his feet angled to balance himself, he leaned back and slid down the rock mound, swiftly moving down the side until his feet slammed hard but squarely on the dirt floor below. Beau straightened himself up, jerking his coat, and walked the last few steps to meet Alex. "Thanks buddy" Beau said, clapping his hand against Alex's back as he took the letter. "Let's read it together, shall we?" Beau, standing at 6"0, crouched down next to Alex to let him in on the fun. The letter looked official but Beau didn't think it mattered if a 10 year old saw it or not. Alex was too excited about the mystery letter to not be let in on the secret. 

Beau read the letter to himself, angling the paper to allow Alex to read it as well at his own pace. He found it interesting as he kept no connection with what was left of the human military. He was a rogue runner, helping free human slaves and rebuilding rebel camps like the one he was currently staying with, teaching them to fend for themselves until moving on to another group. Helping others kept his mind off of his own misery of knowing his captured daughter Rain was still out there somewhere, and raiding ET camps gave him a first hand look as to possible places Rain could be kept. So far he has yet to see her or hear of her. Every group he helps he shares his story. In return for his help the group sends him any information they can about where Rain might be, either by various pieces of ET information or sightings that have all unfortunately turned out to be for another young girl; Rain eludes him still but he believes she is still alive and with he ETs somewhere. 

This invitation, which sounded more like a demand than a request, seemed to be another great step towards getting closer to Rain. It seemed to be more believable that Rain would be held in a main camp site for the Others rather than any small human slave camp. Besides, he's pretty sure he has been to them all in the great area, freeing many people but seeing not one trace of his taken daughter. 

Beau's jaw clenched in thought as he stared at the letter. After a moment when Alex realized he was no longer waiting for Alex to finish reading, he looked to Beau and placed his hand on his knee. "Does this mean you're leaving?" he asked him. Beau broke away from his thoughts to look at the young boy, meeting his worried gaze. He pulled his frown in to a small smile, placing his hand along the boys side neck. "Yeah buddy" he said, pulling Alex in for a hug. He held the boy to his chest, Alex wrapping his arms around his torso tightly. After a moment Beau pulled back. He never got too close to any of the camps he helped set up but Alex and his mom had become dear friends in the last week they had been together since their escape to freedom. Alex had no father, Beau had a missing daughter, and his connection with him was stronger than words. 

Beau cupped Alex's small face in his gloved hands, meeting his eyes with a stern look. "You take care of your mother now, alright? You're a strong young man and she needs you to stay that way for her in my absence." Alex whimpered in protest, his eyes glossing with tears. He pulled out from under his jacket Beau's side satchel that carried everything he owned and traveled with. Beau looked at it, opened it up from the top to look inside at the contents, then looked back to Alex with a smile. "Thanks kido." Alex had packed everything for him, knowing he would go. With a last hug, Beau stood up, arching his back and inhaling the crisp morning air deeply. "Maybe I'll see you again. Maybe not." Beau told Alex. Alex nodded bravely and responded back with the phrase Beau taught him so well. "No expectations, only hope and fortitude." Beau nodded, his smile strong despite how much it hurt to say goodbye. He turned and headed towards the meeting point written on the letter. He was not far and would arrive from the woods, taking the path off of the main land to stay out of sight. He would be there very soon.