Bella took her assigned research topic quite seriously. She began extensively studying materials in the library, organizing the history of West Coast small-town changes over the years.
She definitely couldn't complete this work alone—the workload was massive. So she used the project team's name to hire two classmates as assistants.
One was Heather, the busty girl constantly thinking about part-time jobs to pay off debts. The other was Barbara, the athletic powerhouse with incredible vocal mimicry abilities.
Heather majored in classical literature, Barbara in philosophy. Both were well-suited for research work. This wasn't volunteer work—they got paid. Since Stanford was footing the bill anyway, Bella was quite generous spending other people's money.
The three formed a research team. After organizing materials, they began conducting field surveys during their free time.
You couldn't just claim small towns had changed without evidence. Did populations increase or decrease? Where exactly were the changes? All this required substantial physical proof. Professor Serize encouraged his students to leave campus for on-site investigations. Bella and her team weren't going to be coddled. If the work was out there, they went.
---
"This damn weather just keeps getting hotter!" Heather wiped sweat from her brow with her sleeve.
She worked eight jobs daily and had plenty of stamina. But her "burden" was substantial too. Standing still was fine, but once she started moving—especially with any significant exertion—the comfortable feeling was something flat-chested Bella and Barbara simply couldn't understand.
At first the sight was shocking—dizzying even. But after seeing it enough, it became routine.
Barbara held herself to athlete and soldier standards. Heavy burden? She considered that a liability. Currently, her size was just right.
Bella wasn't as conflicted anymore either. According to the Golden Apple, her modest size also stemmed from Isu genetics... The Isu had triple-helix DNA structures and a highly advanced society. Children were born with abundant nutrient solutions. Women didn't need to... *that*. After genetic adjustments, the entire species gradually became smaller in that regard...
*It's not that I'm not trying—the source genes are just small!* Bella figured she had no solutions. Whatever!
On Friday afternoon, they hiked through mountains with large backpacks. All three wore tank tops, jackets, cargo pants, and hiking boots.
Barbara carried a handgun and a pair of short batons. If they encountered ignorant thugs, she'd handle them.
Bella brought neither gun nor rapier. She carried a recurve bow and quiver on her back.
Many Assassin Brotherhood members didn't use bows daily, preferring to flash hidden blades or wield axes. But actually they knew many martial skills—archery was essential.
Bella had been practicing archery recently. Combined with her enhanced vision and her own strength and speed, her arrows packed nearly as much punch as firearms.
In modern society, traveling with a bow looked somewhat odd but remained understandable. Say you're an archery enthusiast or shooting club member—easy to explain.
Relatively speaking, carrying a rapier was harder to explain. Firearms even more so.
Barbara served as muscle. Besides leading, Bella also hunted game.
And Heather cooked!
Many small towns had long been abandoned, inaccessible by vehicle. At such times, they had to trek through wilderness on foot.
Of the three, Barbara had extensive wilderness survival experience. Whether finding water or setting up camp, she handled it expertly.
She'd set up camp, Bella would shoot small animals, Heather would cook. After eating their fill, the three squeezed into the tent and... hehe...
Actually they did nothing! At most they'd examine Heather's "weapons" and ask how exactly they grew so large.
"Shh! I think I hear footsteps." As darkness deepened, Barbara suddenly grew alert.
Bella listened carefully and indeed detected footsteps. She quickly pulled on her jacket. "You're right. Tall guy, heavy footfalls. Should be a man."
The other two hurriedly dressed too. Heather had more trouble—after running around all day with her burden, she'd gone topless. But with a man approaching, she quickly armed up again.
Their tent was military-grade—high quality with ample space. Even with three people, it didn't feel cramped.
Worried the visitor might be hostile, they grabbed weapons and exited the tent.
The sky hadn't completely darkened. By the campfire's glow, they vaguely saw a tall man with a backpack approaching cautiously in their direction.
Unlike her companions' tension, Bella relaxed after getting a clear look. She released her bowstring and called out. "Hey, Sam? You're not stalking Barbara, are you?"
"It's Sam?" Barbara's eyesight wasn't as good—she couldn't see clearly. But Barbara certainly wouldn't be unfamiliar with her pursuer Sam Winchester. They had some mutual interest, though Barbara wanted to prove herself rather than live a life of dating, marriage, and domesticity.
The newcomer froze, squinting to identify them. After several seconds, he recognized their forms.
His expression turned shocked. "No, no, no! I'm not! I didn't... What are you doing here?! This wilderness is very dangerous! There's a cabin on the other side of these woods. Some USC students are staying there. Come with me—I'll protect you!"
As Sam Winchester drew closer, all three women gradually saw his face clearly. Definitely their Stanford classmate, and Barbara's pursuer. They'd met at various gatherings and were reasonably familiar.
Bella knew his father and brother even better—John Winchester and Dean Winchester...
*Danger nearby?* Bella instinctively glanced around before finally looking at Sam. Yep, definitely this guy bringing danger to them! The Winchester disaster duo—walking trouble magnets!
She didn't sense any danger capable of harming herself, but Heather and Barbara seemed tempted. Camping tents ultimately weren't as comfortable as houses.
After brief consideration, Bella agreed. They packed their things and followed Sam to the other side of the forest.
Sam also explained his purpose. "I'm looking for my sister."
"You have a sister?" Bella was first to disbelieve. *I know all three people in your family. What sister?*
Women are sensitive. Barbara caught the questioning tone in Bella's words and looked at her would-be boyfriend, thoughts racing rapidly. *Does this guy have another girlfriend? Couldn't win me over so moved to the next target?*
She examined her prospective boyfriend rather critically.
By American standards, Sam Winchester was quite handsome—good spirits, tall build, bright eyes, no bad habits. A clean-cut, upbeat guy.