Chapter seven: Together

Two weeks.

Fourteen days of hunger gnawing at their insides.

William sat slumped against the cold cave wall, his body weak, every movement slow and deliberate. His stomach had long since stopped growling—now, it was just an empty void, a dull, aching pain that refused to leave.

Max wasn't faring much better. He sat opposite to him, his breathing shallow, his normally sharp eyes dulled with exhaustion. The wound where his leg had nearly been torn off had mostly healed, but the hunger had stolen his strength. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached down to scoop a handful of water from the small pool near them.

It was the only reason they were still alive. The water source, a slow-moving trickle that led nowhere, had kept them from dying of thirst. But starvation? That was different.

"How long…" William's voice cracked. His throat was raw, his lips dry. "How long do you think we can last?"

Max exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling. "I don't know. A week? Less?"

William clenched his jaw, willing himself to stand, but his body barely responded. Everything felt heavier now, like his limbs were filled with lead. He had tried to stay hopeful, but that hope was slipping away with every passing hour.

They had searched. They had clawed at the walls, screamed for help, even tried to dig through the rubble with their bare hands. Nothing. The cave refused to let them go.

William let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Guess we're gonna die here."

Max didn't respond. He just stared at the dark ceiling, his face unreadable.

Silence settled between them, broken only by the faint sound of dripping water.

William turned his head slightly, watching Max. They had fought together, survived together. If this was the end, at least they weren't alone.

After a long moment, Max sighed. "No." His voice was quiet but firm. "We're not dying here."

William scoffed, too tired to argue. "And what do you suggest?"

Max didn't answer right away. He reached for his spear, his grip weak but determined. "We keep fighting."

William let his head rest against the cave wall. He wanted to believe him. He really did. But after two weeks with no food, no way out…

Their bodies were failing.

And the cave remained silent.