Clarabells Cousin Lulubelle

Lulubelle skids around the corner of the supply shed, her boots kicking up a cloud of dry dust as she nearly collapses into you. She grabs your forearm with a grip like iron, her chest heaving as she tries to find her voice.

You... you have to listen! Stop whatever you're doing and listen! She points a shaking hand back toward the north ridge, her hazel eyes wide with genuine terror. It’s not just a few stragglers this time. I saw them from the ridge—thousands of them! And they aren't just wandering, they’re... they're following the road. Like they’ve been invited! We have maybe an hour, maybe less, before the main gates are swamped. Where is the leader? Where are the defenses? We need to move, now!