Chapter 2:
The World That Shouldn’t Exist: I’m Not a Hero, I Just Want to Go Home
It was already two days since the group manage to get out of the cave. In that short time, they discover some really peculiar things about the place where they was. Not only the wood, but even the dirt and the rocks seem to react somehow when touched by human hand.
During those days, the teenagers was the ones explaining more clear the possible situation where they end up. They also try, in different ways, to call a skill screen or awake some kind of magic. But soon they understand that this world don’t work like in the isekai stories they use to read.
When the third day arrive, the group was already running out of food and, more bad, out of water. The urgency force them to send an expedition deeper inside the forest. They couldn’t all go: Marta will not resist the way in her condition. So Joel and Liam was the ones chosen to look for that precious resources.
—Are you sure you want to come with me, Liam? It could be dangerous —say Joel while hanging José’s backpack on his shoulder.
Liam adjust his glasses, with a decided look.
—I’m sure. Also, if Marco go with you, then nobody stay to defend the others —he answer, taking a notebook from his bag—. And… I want to investigate this place too. People always call me nerd, so I hope all those hours of study are not useless.
Joel watch him in silence for some seconds before nod.
—I see. I guess I can’t stop you anyway —he murmur while tightening his shoes—. We will walk like fifteen kilometers to the south. We leave marks in the trees in case we get lost. And listen well: if something happen, you must run back and alert the others.
With that said, both of them said goodbye to the others and start the walk into the forest, leaving behind a trail of marks on the trunks, made with a sharp reddish stone. With every step, the trees seem to grow taller, like they was watching from above the intruders who dare to walk between them. The air, instead of turning fresh, turn strangely cold and dry, like if the place want to steal their breath away.
A silent discomfort settle in their bodies. None of them say it out loud, but both feel that the forest was not normal. There was something in the stillness, in the way the trunks bend a little, like they was listening.
One hour of walking pass without finding nothing, only more forest, more shadows and more silence. No sign of animals, no bird song, not even the crack of branches under invisible paws. The world seem suspended, like if they had cross a border into a place stuck in time.
Then, they hear it.
A liquid murmur, a song that break the spectral calm of the woods: water. The sound of a river shock them and fill them with joy at same time. Their hearts beat faster and they rush forward, chasing that cristal melody until suddenly the forest open and reveal a strong river, with agitated waters that shine with silver reflex under the light filtering between the branches.
Their salvation was right there. Without thinking twice, they kneel at the shore and drink greedy, not caring the risk it could mean.
—It taste delicious… —Joel sigh while washing his face, letting the frozen water give him back some strenght—. I never thought one day I would be so happy just to drink water. Feeling clean… is the best.
—You’re right… —Liam answer, relieved, letting escape a short laugh—. Two days without drinking properly, enduring the dirt… This is a miracle. We must bring the others, the way is not that long.
—Yes, true. —Joel stand up and take out two empty bottles from the backpack, filling them carefully—. We have to bring them water. Also, it look pretty clean.
Both look at each other and smile like good friends, sharing the sensation of conquering a small victory in the middle of uncertainty. Without wasting more time, they start the way back, following the marks on the trees, with light hearts and a hope renewed.
Night was falling over the forest, wrapping everything in a thick twilight. The group, exhausted, had manage to settle at the edge of the river, but now they face a new challenge: survive the darkness. Nobody knew what kind of dangers wait in that place when the sun disappear. They had no blankets, no warm clothes enough, and the food barely was enough to cheat the hunger. The only thing protecting them from the cold and the uncertainty was the trembling fire of a campfire, projecting disturbing shadows on their tired faces.
Sitting around the flames, they look at each other with a mix of distrust and silence. Two days wasn’t enough to make bonds, they barely know each other… and in that moment, each one was alone with their own fears.
Then, the silence of the night break.
The dry sound of gunshots echo between the trees, making their skin crawl. Everyone tense instantly, like preys surprised by a predator. Gunshots? How was that possible? Wasn’t supposed they was alone in this world?
Before they could react, a flare cross the skies, illuminating the darkness with a red flash that burn like a wound in the night. The glow was so intense that for a instant the shadows of the forest seem to move, like something was crawling deep inside.
—Something must be attacking the ones who throw that flare! —Marco shout, jumping to his feet immediately, fists clenched and face burning with urgency—. We have to do something!
—No! —interrupt Sofia, her voice firm but shaking, full of fear—. It’s too dangerous to call attention now. We don’t know what kind of enemy they are facing.
—But we can’t just stay doing nothing! —Liam burst out, adjusting his glasses nervously, his voice sounding reasonable and desperate at same time—. If we help them, maybe we can get food… or even guns. That could save us.
The air turn heavy. No one else speak, but the looks said everything. Joel, in particular, feel the weight of the decision. He knew getting close would be suicide, but his conscience tear him apart. How could they ignore other human beings in trouble?
In the end, the discussion stay in suspense. The gunshots stop as abruptly as they had start, and the echo of the flare fade into the darkness, swallowed by the silence of the forest. That was even more disturbing.
They didn’t reach a final decision, but in one thing they all agree: that night, they couldn’t let down their guard. They would stay awake in turns, eyes fixed on the tree line. And at dawn, they would go to investigate the place from where the flare had been launch… without knowing if they would find allies, enemies, or something much worse.
The morning arrive with an air colder than usual, sharp and humid, like the forest itself was trying to warn them not to go forward. Near the ashes of the campfire, Joel and Marco stay awake. They look at each other in silence, sharing a short and firm glance of understanding. No words was need: they knew what they must do.
They wake up the rest of the group and explain their decision. Soon after, Marco and Joel grab the firmest branches they could find and sharpen them until they became improvised spears. It wasn’t much, but better than nothing. With the weight of fear in their legs, they walk upstream, following the direction where they had see the flare rise the night before.
The path wasn’t long, but every step feel eternal, wrapped in the heavy silence of the forest. The tension of not knowing what wait at the end consume them… until finally, they saw it.
The air was full of a metallic, sour, unmistakable smell: blood.
Before their eyes stretch a scene of disaster. A body lay on the ground, lifeless, surrounded by the remains of what look like a small military camp. The tents was ripped apart, the boxes overturned, the soil marked with signs of violence. Everything had been reduce to senseless chaos.
Joel freeze, trying to understand what kind of force could end with armed men. His throat close, but he manage to speak.
—They was soldiers… —he murmur, voice tense, eyes fixed on the four destroyed tents—. What we do? —he ask, turning to Marco.
Marco kneel beside the corpse. His hands tremble while checking the uniform: the symbols was unmistakable.
—They’re Japanese… —he whisper, almost incredulous. Then, lifting his eyes to the trees, his expression turn hard. The bark was carved with scratches so deep they seem to cut through the wood—. For now, we take everything useful we can… and get as far as possible from here.
The silence become unbearable. The trees, with their impossible marks, seem to watch them, mute witnesses of what had happen there. No bear, no creature they knew, could left behind such monstrous signs.
With that said, they begin to loot what they can. Among the remains they found military rations, a handgun with a few bullets, an unassembled tent, clothes, several combat knives and some cooking tools. Everything else was broken, reduce to useless pieces.
With the loot secured, they decide to move the body. They had no way to dig, so they cover it with dry leaves and branches, an improvised silent grave in the middle of the woods. It was a rushed burial, but enough to not leave it expose to the weather… or to whatever had destroy that camp.
The return was heavy with silence. When they reunite with the others, the surprise was evident: nobody expect them to bring back weapons, food and such valuable supplies. Without wasting time, they share the rations. The group eat eagerly, enjoying every bite like a feast. For a moment, fear step aside and only relief exist.
But soon, the inevitable debate arrive.
—What we gonna do now? —ask Sofia, frowning, eyes locked on Marco and Joel—. If what you said is true, being here is too dangerous.
José, his voice trembling, speak before anyone could answer.
—I know I’m just a kid… but I think the best would be follow the river down. Maybe we can find more people if we keep going.
Before Marco could talk, Marta raise her voice. It sound calm, but heavy with melancholy.
—The boy is right… But young ones, I am only a burden for you. If something attack us, I beg you, please, leave me behind. Don’t risk your lifes for an old woman like me.
An uncomfortable silence take the group. Marco break it with firmness.
—We don’t leave anyone behind —he said with conviction, adjusting the pistol on his belt—. We came together, and together we stay. And about José’s idea… I agree. Leaving the river now would be a mistake. We still have many hours of light, so the best is to move on.
Then he hand out the knives. One to Sofia, one to Liam, and one to Joel.
—If something happen… don’t hesitate to use them.
Nobody answer, but all nodded with gravity. Without more words, they start walking downstream, ignoring that somewhere, beyond that part of the forest, horrors was waiting for them… horrors they still couldn’t even imagine.
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