After what felt like an endless series of transfers-buses, then a rickety tuk-tuk, then another van-they finally made it to their destination.

    Alessia was grateful she hadn’t let herself go during her four years at university. She wiped the sweat from her brow and nced at herpanions, most of whom were struggling to catch their breath. Seeing there was still half a mountain trail left to climb, she offered a silent three-second moment of sympathy for them.

    She’d known the ce was remote, but not this remote.

    They’d switched vehicles three or four times, bumping along country roads and squeezing into tiny cabs, and just when it seemed they’d finally arrived, someone announced they still had to hike uphill.

    Most of the group had grown up pampered in the city, unused to this kind of hardship. The initial excitement had already worn thin, reced by weary resignation before they’d even reached the halfway point.

    “Come on, everyone, just a little further and we can finally rest,” their advisor called out. He was clearly exhausted too, but tried his best to sound encouraging.

    At this point, turning back wasn’t an option. Everyone just gritted their teeth and pressed on.

    “Sir, I think someone’sing down!” Alessia’s voice drew everyone’s

    attention.

    The group looked up to see, on the narrow mountain path, a gaggle of kids running down toward them.

    As they inchingly made their way forward, the children darted past them with the sure-footed agility of mountain goats, making the city-dwellers both nervous and a little envious.

    In the blink of an eye, they were surrounded by the children. Before

    anyone could ask a question, a thin man in his fifties appeared behind

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    them.

    “Mr. Chase, I presume?”

    “And you must be Mayor Warren?”

    Their advisor quickly stepped forward, and the two men shook hands.

    “You folks must be exhausted after such a long journey,” the mayor said kindly, his gentle smile putting everyone a little at ease. The group, suddenly bashful, waved off the concern, looking every bit the innocent, well-intentioned visitors they were.

    “These young men and women havee all this way to teach you,” Mayor Warren told the children gathered behind him, his voice patient. “Remember to be on your best behavior, all right? They’vee a long way just for you.”

    The children responded in unison, curiosity shining in their eyes as they sized up the neers.

    Alessia identally met the gaze of one little girl, whose shy demeanor reminded her of her own first meeting with Ivan Morton.

    Smiling gently, Alessia offered a friendly wave. To her surprise, the girl darted right up to her.

    “Miss, can I help you?”

    She was nine, though malnutrition had left her small and thin-she looked no older than six or seven, her hair brittle and sticking out in tufts. Her voice was barely above a whisper, and she couldn’t meet Alessia’s eyes, clutching the hem of her shirt nervously as if bracing for rejection.

    “Of course. Could you help me carry this?” Alessia replied, handing over her small backpack.

    The girl’s skin was tanned from days spent outside, a stark contrast to Alessia’s ownplexion. At Alessia’s words, her eyes lit up, wide and sparkling with surprise.

    She nodded enthusiastically-almost as if she feared Alessia might

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    change her mind-then quickly took the bag, her smile shy but sincere. The anxiety Alessia had seen a moment ago melted away.

    Alessia affectionately ruffled her hair, making the little girl blush all over again. The other children watched, a little envious but too shy to step forward, quietly retreating behind the mayor.

    “It’s gettingte,” Mayor Warren said, ncing at the sun. “Let’s push on-there’s a hearty meal waiting for all the teachers at the vige. We’re almost there, just a little more effort.”

    Of course, everyone knew the vige’s circumstances and didn’t expect anything extravagant, but they yed along, encouraging each other as they trudged up the path. One of the guys cracked a joke, and just like that, the mood lightened,ughter echoing up the mountain trail.