Into the Unknown

The wind howled through the trees as Whiskey-Jack and Muskrat, sprinted through the dense forest. Their hearts pounding in their chests, the terror of what they'd left behind forcing their legs to move, even as exhaustion consumed them.

They had crossed further than everything they ever knew long ago, beyond their family's camp, and into the unknown.

"Keep going... we have to," Whiskey-Jack thought, his mind screaming at his body to push forward.

His father's words echoed in his mind, "Find Midok or Qui." His face determined, as he tried to recalled memories from when he was younger, "If your ever in trouble, follow the North Star...there will be help"

Staring up to sky, the sun was beginning to set, searching for the North Star, as he tried to focus through their chaotic escape. The two finally slowing down, allowing him to get his bearings, his eyes darted around, searching for some kind of landmark, anything familiar. Then, ahead of them, he saw it.

The river.

It was the same river that their father had once taken him fishing too, the one that carried memories of their past. The sense of familiarity grounding him, "It isnt the same spot, but it's the only river thats ever been near us".

"We're still alive," he thought, with a shaky breath, trying to refill his lungs.

Turning to Muskrat, who was still stumbling along, eyes wide with fear, Whiskey-Jack's heart clenched. His little brother was in no state to keep running.

"Muskrat, hey..." his gaze meeting his brother's tired eyes. "I know it's hard, but we have to keep moving. It's what Dad would've wanted. We can't stop now."

Muskrat's body trembled, tears streaming down his face. "What... what happened in there? Our family... everything's gone. We're never going to see them again, are we?"

The words hit Whiskey-Jack hard at the realization. Both of their lives, safe with a loving family, without warning, had dissappeared. The weight of his brother's frightened words hit him hard, but he had to remain strong.

"I...I don't know," he admitted, his voice merely a whisper. "Mom... she's not even human anymore. She's become nothing more than a rolling head. And Dad...If he's out there, he'll find us. I know it."

Muskrat's eyes red with tears streaming down his face, filled with hope. "Do you really think so? He'll find us?"

Whiskey-Jack gave him a reassuring nod, despite the uncertainty in his own heart. "If he's looking for us... he'll start at Midok or Qui's. We can't give up."

They continued to take a moment to catch their breath, the severity of the situation settling in. After resting for a few minutes, Whiskey-Jack's mind caught up to him and began to focus. They needed to reach one of his father's friends, and fast.

"Muskrat, we need to move. We'll head north along the river for now. We can look for a spot to sleep for the night."

Muskrat, his energy completely drained, nodded tiredly, following Whiskey-Jack's lead. Though it was still daytime, the tension in the air was full of darkness.

As the boys continued their hike, the forest began to feel more oppressive, the shadows casting further and further every second. Then, as they walked deeper into the wilderness, they spotted it, a cave, snuggled behind a thick set of trees.

Whiskey-Jack tensed, his instincts warning him of danger. "Could there be an animal inside?" he wondered, silently analyzing the situation.

Despite the fear triggering all his instincts, his legs were shaking from exhaustion. He glanced at Muskrat, whose eyes were heavy with sleep, had made a quick decision.

"We'll camp here," he said quietly. "But we'll keep our distance. We'll hide in the bushes, don't make a sound."

Together, they set up a makeshift camp, gathering snow and branches to cover their tracks. They wrapped themselves in thinm dried animal hides, hoping the shelter would shield them from the cold winter air and whatever dangers close by.

As the night crept closer, the fatigue finally overtook them, and they fell into a deep sleep.

Later that night...A rustle in the bushes woke Whiskey-Jack, his adrenaline high once more. He quickly turned to see Muskrat curled up next to him, his small frame trembling, either from the cold or fear. It didn't matter. He was safe, for now.

The sounds outside grew louder, shifting and scratching sounds heard all around them. Whiskey-Jack's mind raced, trying to make sense of the noises. With a deep breath, he slowly pulled back a section of the branches concealing their camp, peeking out into the darkness. At first, he saw nothing but darkness. Then as his eyes adjusted, a deer could be seen in the underbrush.

"Oh... it's just a deer," Whiskey-Jack letting out a sigh of relief. But then *crack* the noise came again, and the deer froze, its ears twitching at the sudden noise.

A shiver ran down his spine. The silence stretched for a few seconds seemed like ages, until, without warning, something blurred into the night, crashing through the heavily wooded area.

The deer screamed as it was knocked off its feet, flying deeper into the forest, the black figure that had tackled it vanishing along with it.

"What... what was that?" Whiskey-Jack whispered, his voice barely audible.

Muskrat clutched at his brother's sleeve. "Was that an animal? It looked... human."

Whiskey-Jack's stomach twisted in fear. "It wasn't an animal... it was something else. Something... dangerous."

The pieces were starting to come together, but the fear was still pulling at him. Could this be one of the beings the Creator had warned them about?

His pulse quickened. There was no time to waste. "Whatever happens... I need to protect Muskrat." The thoughts of determination filling him with new strength.

The brothers lay still, barely breathing, as the night pressed in around them. Tomorrow, they would move again, searching for safety. But for now, all Whiskey-Jack could do was hold his brother close and wait for dawn to arrive.