As Anna's group continued to walk in silence, she heard a familiar voice call out.
"Ducky?! Spike?! Are you kids around here?!" she heard Mrs. Swimmer call from the direction of some nearby woods.
"That is Mama! It is, it is!" Ducky squeaked.
"Sounds like she's lookin' for y'all. A'ight, we'll go on ahead to your nest then," Anna said as she detoured the children in the direction of Mrs. Swimmer's voice. As she did that, Anna looked back at Mr. Threehorn.
I don't think he's in the mood to be troubled by guests anyway, Anna thought to herself.
"Mama!" Ducky called out.
"Ducky?! Is that you?!" Mrs. Swimmer called back.
"Yes it is, and I have Spike and Anna with me, yep yep yep!" Ducky replied just before they finally ran into Mrs. Swimmer.
"My babies!" Mrs. Swimmer said as she scooped up Ducky and embraced her before she bent down and embraced Spike. "Where have you two been? You followed the grownups into the Mysterious Beyond, didn't you? How many times do I have to say to not do that?"
"It's okay, M'am," Anna spoke up. "I mean, sure they didn't listen, but I'm glad of that. I don't think my friends and I would be alive if it weren't for the children helpin' us out."
"That's true, I guess. The children are much smarter and braver than they appear. And thank you so much for bringing them back safely," Mrs. Swimmer replied before she embraced Anna.
"Uh...sure, no problem," Anna replied, feeling a little awkward at first.
"Did you all get your friend back safely?" Mrs. Swimmer asked.
"Yeah, but not without a price unfortunately," Anna replied. When asked about who had perished, Anna decribed the lost dinosaurs to Mrs. Swimmer. She knew some of them but none were close friends, yet she still felt sad for those who had been lost.
"I'm very sorry to hear that, but unfortunately this happens often during searches. Well, it's getting late. Come on, kids. It's time to get back to the nest and your siblings," Mrs. Swimmer said. "You're more than welcome to join us, Anna."
"Thanks. I appreciate it," Anna replied gratefully as the group walked toward the nest. Upon arrival, Ducky and Spike's siblings all got excited and were happy to see their brother and sister. It surprised Anna when all the little swimmers were happy to see her as well.
"Aww, y'all are such sweet lil' cuties," Anna chuckled as she gently patted each little swimmer on the back.
"Okay, kids. Time to go to sleep," Mrs. Swimmer said before the children all cured up in their nest. As Mrs. Swimmer took her place near the children, Anna found the same spot she had found earlier and curled up. She did her best to fall asleep but was unable to due to recent events.