capitulo 3

Day: Inexplicable...

Month: Inexplicable...

Year: Inexplicable...

Location: Forest, theme park, giant tent underground.

In the dark, cold, and icy atmosphere, but warmed by the fire, with small glimpses of the sky, accompanied by a group of people...

Axel: "Adrian! Buddy, could you gather more firewood?" said a tall figure.

Adrián: "Sure, no problem!"

Zaid: "This is bad! We're running out of supplies in the middle of nowhere!"

Aldo: "Calm down, we'll find supplies. Acting impulsively won't help. We'll find something at the next stop."

Are we running out of supplies? I joined this group to help those who ended up here without a direction. They accepted me on the condition that I share my supplies. They proposed we work together with the same goal. I've been with them for a while, but I never thought our resources would run out this quickly, thought Adrián.

Adrián moves away and gets lost among the trees in search of firewood.

Aldo: "Let's see, we could leave at dawn. To the north, there are some small lights, right? At this pace, it would take us at least three days to get there, max."

Zaid: "Are you kidding?! We'll never make it! At this rate, we'll run out of food, and to top it off, there are hardly any animals here!"

"I know we can't die, but this is too much."

Axel: "So what do you suggest? Should we split up, or what?"

Zaid: "No... that would be a fatal mistake. We all know those things prefer isolated and vulnerable prey."

I feel my palm touching the rough, thin wood, scraping my hands. I hold it with my forearm and bring it closer to my ribs.

I'm sorry, Heithen. I don't think I can keep my promise… You wanted me to escape, you gave your life for me, but why? Why this rotten world? Your last wish was for me to escape…

I'm not afraid! Maybe there's still hope in this place. I must find it!

Adrián decides to return to his group, leaving the dark forest behind.

Adrián: "Guys, I've brought the firewood!"

Axel: "Thanks, now we can eat in peace."

Zaid: "About time! Why did you take so long, buddy? We thought we were out of firewood."

Adrián: "Yeah, I know. It's just that I didn't have anything to chop the wood."

Zaid: "That bag is full of weapons." He points to the bag near Axel.

Adrián: "Yeah, I brought my weapon, but it's not very sharp. Guys, what about the supplies?"

Aldo: "Well... about that, we're running low. If we keep going at this rate, we won't get far. We thought it'd be better to head out tomorrow morning so we can get there sooner."

Adrián: "Where to?"

Aldo: "North," he points, "towards those small lights."

Axel: "Maybe we won't starve, but by the time we get there, we'll be dead inside. The best thing is to conserve energy, that's why we ration food."

Zaid: "I bet we won't even make it. We'll be so weak, those damn creatures will catch us."

I just nod as I look at the others.

Adrián, there's not much we can do for now. The best thing is to conserve energy. Maybe we'll be lucky later. I hope so. I understand what my companions must be feeling. We have to keep working together; it's the only way, I thought...

But I also don't want to just stand here doing nothing! Maybe someone else is going through the same thing I went through, maybe something worse. Surely many others are.

What should I do?

The next day arrives, and the group is still asleep.

Adrián: "Wake up, we need to leave! Get up!"

The group: "Adrián, stop messing around!"

Adrián: "The sooner, the better."

The group gets up and starts moving, just like they said.

How are they moving so fast? Maybe it's because of my short legs, thought Adrián.

Axel: "Damn it! How much farther? We've been walking for hours, I feel a throbbing pain in my legs."

Zaid: "That's nothing. It's the thirst that's killing me. I can barely feel my dry lips."

Adrián approaches them, "Here, I know it's not much, but I hope it helps with the thirst. It's the last I have."

Zaid: "Thanks, buddy! You're the best, I owe you one." His eyes shine.

The others drink until they can't anymore and then hand the bottle back to Adrián.

I can't stand up anymore. I have to keep going! Another day has passed, my mouth feels rough and dry, and my breathing is almost obstructed.

I won't back down! I won't do it. That's for the weak, thought Adrián. But it's also important to know when to back down. Still, I won't do it!

Their feet throb, but they keep moving. They are too close to their destination, luckily, the sun has come up.

Axel: "Guys, look! The entrance! It looks a bit blurry? The wood creaks... It must have been there for a long time."

Aldo: "It looks abandoned. Do you think this was the right decision?"

Aldo: "It's strange. Why? At night, there are lights and flashes of many colors in the distance."

Zaid: "Who cares? Axel, give me the tool. We've come too far to turn back. If we run into something strange, we'll handle it," he laughs.

I approach and touch the material of the big door with my palm. It's rough, full of sawdust, but it has shiny chains. How is that possible? Everything seems to take its time, but the chains look like they were just put there, thought Adrián. It reminds me of that time...

Adrián: "That creaking is awful!"

Adrián's companions open the giant door.

Aldo: "Don't let your guard down! If any threat appears, don't hesitate to shoot. We've faced many things. You know those creatures prefer those who are alone. Don't separate unless necessary, alright?" Aldo moves forward, still pointing his rifle around.

Adrián watches as his group moves forward.

I didn't know about this. How many times was I in danger? Why didn't anyone tell me? Why didn't anyone ask me? thought Adrián.