Chapter 25: A New Home.

As they walked deeper into the forest, Bella suddenly stopped and thought for a moment. What if they settled here? If they went out of the forest, Simon and his crew might catch them, and they would end up dead.

Bella also thought about the responsibility she had taken on to care for the children. She couldn't just leave them vulnerable and exposed. They needed a safe haven, and the forest seemed to be the best option for now.

She turned to the girls and said, "We're going to make this forest our home for a little while, until we figure out what to do next. And I need your help."

The girls looked at each other uncertainly, but Bella continued, "We need to build a small house here to protect ourselves. Who's ready to help me?"

The girls nodded, and Bella smiled. She knew how to construct temporary houses, having grown up in a village where they lived in similar structures.

Bella looked around and found small tree branches with leaves. She started gathering them, and the girls helped as much as they could. Bella showed them how to weave the branches together to create a sturdy frame.

As they worked, the girls chatted and laughed, enjoying the sense of purpose and accomplishment. Bella smiled, watching them work together.

After hours of hard work, they finally finished their makeshift shelter. Bella stepped back and admired their handiwork. "Let's go inside and see if we can fit in," she said, grinning.

The girls rushed inside, laughing and chattering excitedly. Bella followed, ducking under the low-hanging branches. Inside, the shelter was cozy and surprisingly spacious.

The girls ran around, exploring their new home. Bella watched, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction. They had done it. They had created a safe haven in the middle of the forest.

As night began to fall, Bella gathered the girls around her. "We did a great job today," she said, smiling. "But we need to be careful. We don't know who might be out there, looking for us."

The girls nodded, their eyes wide with understanding. Bella continued, "We'll take turns keeping watch, making sure we're safe. And we'll work together to find food and water."

The girls nodded again, and Bella smiled. They were in this together, and they would face whatever challenges came their way as a team.

As they settled in for the night, Bella felt a sense of hope she hadn't felt in months. They might just make it through this after all.