After Dustin returned to the castle, he avoided alerting anyone and wrote two letters instead. He left one letter in Rufus' study and the other in Austin's bedroom.

Dustin considered it his unspoken farewell. He wasn't great at expressing sentimentalities, and at times, leaving in silence was the better choice.

As dusk settled, Dustin headed straight for the southwestern desert, riding in Grace's car. The largest desert was known as the Deadlands.

It had earned its name due to its harsh and