The journey to Alpha Donk's kingdom seemed to stretch on forever. Lily and I sat in tense silence in the back of the SUV, watching the landscape change outside our windows. Forests gave way to rolling hills, then to vast plains that seemed to go on forever.
As the hours passed, Lily's head eventually drooped onto my shoulder, exhaustion finally overcoming her fear. I kept my eyes open, alert for any opportunity, any weakness we could exploit. But the convoy of vehicles moved smoothly, professionally, giving us no chance for escape.
It was late afternoon when I noticed a change in our surroundings. The wild, open countryside began to give way to cultivated fields and orchards. In the distance, I could see the outlines of buildings rising against the horizon.
"Ah," Alpha Donk said from th
