In the midst of this, Anna, the physician and alchemist of the shelter, hastened to test the water's safety. But before she could act, Lucky, her faithful dog, had already lapped up the water.
"Wait!"
Her eyes widened in alarm, and she called out to him, but it was too late; Lucky had quenched his thirst. She watched anxiously, counting the minutes. Five passed, and Lucky remained unaffected.
"Thank goodness," she sighed in relief. "Still, a second test is in order," she murmured.
Anna collected a sample of the water in a clean vial, holding it up to the light. She added a few drops of a reagent from her kit and watched for a color change, indicative of contamination. The water remained clear, a positive sign. She then placed a strip of testing paper into the vial; it too, showed no signs of impurities.
Of course, this 'paper' was something she made from a special leaf.
Satisfied, Anna declared, "The water is safe for consumption."
The news spread quickly, and a collective cheer rose from the crowd, echoing the newfound hope that flowed with the river.
'This must be Shane's work... Did they actually reroute the water? I wonder how they did that...' Anna thought for a moment, but in any case, the method was not important to her. Such matter would be handle by the lord of this territory after all.
***
Mr. Wadsworth, the embodiment of decorum and diligence, shared in the collective joy over the safe drinking water before returning to his duties, to meet the prisoners.
With a tray laden with sustenance, he approached Max's quarters while a Super Soldier was at his side for security.
"Good morning, Max," Mr. Wadsworth greeted, his voice calm and reassuring as he set down the food.
"I trust the accommodations are to your satisfaction?"
Max, whose presence was as formidable as his talent, nodded grudgingly.
The fate of the two prisoners now lay in their own hands...
For now, it was enough to give them hope of getting freed instead of instilling in them the fear of being imprisoned and enslaved forever.
With this method, Mr. Wadsworth knew that they wouldn't cross the line and remain silent and observant of the situation instead.
He may not have been a prison guard before, but he had dealt with numerous kinds of people and knew how he should address them.
***
Meanwhile, Alexa, the chef of the shelter, watched the clear water dance in the sunlight, a vision of life and the possibility of their shelter's growth.
She had always dreamed of a garden where she could grow her own herbs and vegetables, and now, with the new water source, that dream could become a reality.
She began to plan.
First, she would need to test the soil of the area she wanted to use, ensuring it was fertile enough for planting.
Then, she would select the seeds—basil, thyme, rosemary, and more. The thought of fresh tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce made her heart race with excitement.
With the help of Eliot, the engineer, she sketched out an irrigation system that would bring water from the river to the garden.
They discussed the layout, considering sunlight and shade, and how they could protect the plants from any lingering threats.
"This is cool! I think Shane and the others did this while they were exploring outside..." She commented as they were making the plan.
"I think so too... I wonder what they're doing right now." Eliot nodded.
As the plans took shape, Alexa's kitchen buzzed with anticipation. Fresh ingredients meant new recipes, healthier meals, and a touch of normalcy in their chaotic world.