Chapter 4 – Forest < Road

5th October 2027 13:13

I don’t miss the sun, Pov thought, but I do miss the road…

They had been traversing the forest for two days now. The path was harsher here. For starters, the ground was not as even or as solid or as unobstructive as the road. Pov’s foot could trip because of how uneven the ground was, Pov’s foot could sink because of how some of the ground was just mud—had it rained here before?—and the grasses and rocks made walking tricky. There were also roots here and there that were jutting out.

She had to keep looking down if she didn’t want to fall. However, the problem with looking down was that she wasn’t looking forward, and that meant that she could get hit by a twig or by a tree if she wasn’t careful.

Sure, going through the forest wasn’t as hot because of the shades provided by the leaves above, but Pov wouldn’t say that it was a worthy trade.

Meanwhile, Carrie, who had been leading the way, seemed to have no problems whatsoever. Throughout this whole journey through the forest, she hadn’t seen her mess up even once. When there was a persistent twig in front of her, she would just shove them or hack it away with her knife. When there was unevenness in the steps, she would be able to balance herself just right. And although she had to carry her luggage—it was getting lighter because they were consuming the supplies but that was beside the point—she didn’t seem to be tired.

‘How do you have so much stamina?’ Pov couldn’t help but ask.

Silence. Would it kill her to engage in small talk?

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14:14

‘Do you know how much longer we’re going to arrive at our destination?’ Pov asked.

No answer. Figured.

Now that Pov thought about it, she never really knew where Carrie was heading. She knew that she had the intention of finding food that tasted good, but… she knew nothing about her destination. Pov had been following Carrie rather mindlessly, because her main concern was to not be left alone, but… now she was curious as to where they were going honestly.

No harm in asking…

‘Carrie, where are we going?’

No answer.

‘You know what?’ Pov finally lost it. ‘I had it with you and your silence! It’s as if you’re pretending that I don’t exist, you know! Keep it up and I’ll feel alone even though you’re here! And I thought you said you’re not going to let me be alone?’

‘Shut up,’ Carrie said, her voice low.

‘I can’t quite hear you.’

At that, Carrie shook her head. Didn’t bother repeating herself.

‘Carrie, don’t go back to ignoring me again!’

Then, as if her strength had left her, Carrie leaned on a tree and slid down. Dropped her luggage just like that.

‘Carrie? Carrie!’

Something was wrong. Was she feeling unwell? Pov hurried her pace and caught up to her.

As she crouched down, she saw that she was looking pale. Her breathing was ragged. And… the worst part was that… her skin and lips were dry. What had happened? She wasn’t like this the other day, but… there and then, ever since entering the forest, Carrie had been rather unwell. She had asked for smaller portion of food during their rest, and now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen her drink as often as Pov had.

‘Have you been drinking properly?’ Pov asked. Carrie didn’t answer. Was her throat too dry to talk? Was that why she had been ignoring her? Goodness… ‘You should drink!’

Pov ransacked Carrie’s luggage. There were clothes, food ingredients, toiletries, and… two big bottles of water! She opened one of them and put the lips of the bottle on Carrie’s lips.

‘Go on, drink!’

Carrie drank… two sips.

‘What? You have to drink more!’

Carrie shook her head. Then, as if those two sips were enough, she forced herself to stand up. Lifted her luggage. And continued onward.

‘You’re being reckless, you know that!’

Regardless, Carrie went on.

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14:30

Pov wondered if Carrie was in her right mind.

Surely, she was in no condition to continue the journey? Not when she was that dehydrated!

As she continued to follow her, she felt dryness in her throat. Now that she thought about it, Carrie had been sharing her water with Pov…

‘Have you…’ Pov said, ‘been drinking less because of me?’

Before they entered the forest, Carried had said that Pov was a burden. With her around, the travel time was longer; the supplies ran out faster. Sure, two big water bottles left were nice, but… at Pov’s rate of consumption (even when she was being conservative), she could chug those easily. Carrie was sacrificing her portion because she considered Pov.

‘Carrie, have you been drinking less because of me?’

Silence.

‘I know you can nod or shake your head.’

Then, after some while, Carrie nodded.

… Dammit. I am being a burden.

What could she do? To be less of a burden? Her skill was in cooking and… if she had to cut back her portion of water, she would collapse way faster than Carrie would. They were in a bad situation, weren’t they?

All because of me.

‘… Carrie, you should drink the water.’

She shook her head.

‘I’m serious. I… Listen, I told you how I’d rather die than be left alone, right? If you die first, because of me, I’ll be left alone. I don’t want that. Go and take all the portions you need and, if our hands are forced, let me die.’

Again, she shook her head.

‘I’m serious. I won’t hold it against you.’

With effort, ‘Shut up.’

The way she said that made her want to talk more. However, she wasn’t dumb enough to not understand the context. Carrie had chosen to talk despite her dry throat, and those were the words that she decided to say. Perhaps, she was telling her to trust her, that she could get them out of this situation.

‘… Careful.’

‘Huh?’

Carrie pointed at the ground. At a patch of leaves.

What was there to be careful about? Pov saw no harm. But considering that Carrie had decided to warn Pov verbally, she decided to take heed of her warning. In fact, she even tossed a rock on the patch of leaves, and… there was a small pitfall under it! It was a trap. Meant to catch small animals.

‘What? Who had set that there?’

Silence.

‘Right, you can’t talk, I forgot. Sorry. I’ll shut up.’ Right now, all she could do was to be less of a burden.

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16:27

Walking through the forest was tough, but Pov decided not to complain. Sure, she didn’t have as much stamina or physical prowess as Carrie, but as someone who was well-hydrated, she should bite her tongue and not bother Carrie who was dehydrated.

The bushes rustled. The wind, Pov thought.

However, a figure emerged from the bushes. A bald man, tattoos for hair, shirtless, carrying a handmade spear made of wood and stone. He looked hostile.

Then, other figures emerged. Just like that, Pov and Carrie were surrounded.