chapter 4:A new dawn

The first light of dawn filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow over the apartment. The night has been long and tense, filled with the distant sounds of chaos and the occasional rumble of destruction. While the others had eventually fallen into a restless sleep on the makeshift bed of blankets and pillows, Noah had stayed awake, his panther ears alert to any sounds, his eyes scanning the room and the door for any signs of danger.

As the morning light grew stronger, the others began to stir. Jason was the first to wake, his cheetah ears twitching as he slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes. Sarah followed, her mouse ears flicking nervously as she stretched, trying to work out the stiffness in her limbs. But Noah remained still, his arms wrapped securely around Alex, who was nestled against him.

Alex began to wake, his fox ears twitching as he shifted slightly in Noah's arms. He felt the warmth of Noah's body, the strength of his embrace. And it brought him a sense of comfort and safety. As he opened his eyes, he saw Noah looking down at him, his expression gentle but alert.

"Morning," Noah said, his voice soft but filled with a quiet intensity. His panther ears swiveling slightly, catching the sounds of the others waking up.

Alex smiled, feeling the warmth spread through him at Noah's protectiveness. "Hey. Did you get any sleep?"

Noah shook his head, his expression softening. "I was keeping watch. But I'm fine. How are you feeling?"

Alex stretched, feeling the soreness in his muscles. "A little sore, but okay. Thanks for... well, for everything."

Noah's arms tightened around him slightly. A protective gesture. "Always," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

As the others gathered around, the conversation turned to their plans for the day. "We need to figure out how to get to that hardware store," Jason said, his mind already working on the logistics.

Sarah nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I have a small pickup truck. If we can find it, it would help us transport whatever supplies we find."

Alex's eyes widened with hope. "That would be perfect. Do you know where it is?"

Sarah thought for a moment. "It's parked a few blocks away, near the coffee shop. If it's still there, it could be our ticket to getting the supplies we need."

Noah nodded, his expression serious. "We should plan our route carefully. We don't know what we'll encounter out there."

Jason agreed, his expression focused. "We should avoid main streets and stick to side roads as much as possible. And we need to be ready for anything."

Sarah pulled out a map, spreading it out on the floor. "Let's map out the safest route. We can mark out potential trouble spots and plan accordingly."

As they discussed their plans, Alex got up, feeling the need to contribute. He remembered the box of granola bars he had stashed in the cupboard, a small but valuable resource. He moved towards the kitchen, his movements still a bit stiff.

Noah, ever watchful, was right behind him, his presence a constant shadow. As Alex reached for the cupboard, Noah stepped in front of him, not wanting him to have to stretch or strain. He grabbed the box of granola bars from the shelf, his expression gentle.

"Here, let me get that for you," Noah said, his voice soft.

Alex smiled, a little flustered but grateful. "Thanks."

Noah handed him a granola bar, taking one for himself as well. They rejoined the others, and the group ate their meager breakfast, savoring the small meal. It wasn't much, but it was something, and they knew they needed to keep their strength up.

"We should save the rest for later," Noah said, setting the box aside. "We didn't eat anything last night, and we don't know when we'll have a chance to get more food."

The others nodded, understanding the need to ration their supplies. As they finished their granola bars, they felt a renewed sense of determination. They had a plan, and they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the group continued to plan their route and discuss their supplies, Alex felt a growing sense of frustration. He began to look around the apartment, hoping to find anything useful to take with them. But the more he searched, the more he realized how difficult it would be to carry much with them. They had limited space and couldn't afford to be weighed down by unnecessary items.

"Anything useful?" Jason asked, glancing over as Alex rummaged through the closet.

Alex sighed, his frustration mounting. "Not really. There's just not much we can take with us. Everything's either too big or too heavy."

Noah watched him, his expression sympathetic. "We can only carry so much. We'll have to prioritize what we need most."

Alex nodded, knowing Noah was right, but the feeling of helplessness was hard to shake. As he moved to the kitchen, his mind racing with possibilities, he noticed something strange out of the corner of his eye. A small, black hole- like void had appeared next to him, shimmering with otherworldly energy.

Startled, Alex jumped back, his heart racing. But he stared at the void, he realized with a mix of fear and curiosity that he seemed to be the one causing it. He reached out tentatively, his hand hovering over the void.

"Guys, you might want to see this," Alex called out, his voice a mix of awe and trepidation.

The others turned, their expressions shifting from confusion to surprise as they saw the void. "What is that?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide.

Alex shook his head, his mind racing. "I... I think I made it. I don't know how, but it's like... it's connected to me somehow."

Curiosity getting the better of him, Alex picked up a nearby spoon and slowly poked it into the void. The spoon disappeared, as if swallowed by the darkness, and Alex's heart skipped a beat. But then, he felt a strange sensation, as if the spoon was still there, just out of reach.

"Whoa," Jason said, stepping closer. "That's... that's incredible."

Noah watched, his expression a mix of concern and interest. "Be careful, Alex, we don't know what it is or what it can do."

Alex nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "I think... I think it's some kind of portal. Or storage space. I can feel the spoon, like it's still there."

Sarah's eyes widened with realization. "It's like a bag of holding. In those fantasy books, you know? A place where you can store things without them taking up space."

Alex's eyes lit up with hope. "That's it! It's a way for us to carry supplies without being weighed down."

The group began to experiment, testing the voids capabilities. They found that it could indeed hold items, and Alex could retrieve them at will. But they were curious about its limits, especially when it came to food.

"Do you think it works on food?" Sarah asked, her expression thoughtful. " if it does, we could store perishables without worrying about them spoiling."

Alex nodded, considering the idea. "We should test it. Maybe we can put a piece of fruit in and see what happens."

They placed a banana into the void, and Alex retrieved it moments later. The banana was intact, as fresh as when it went in. "It works!" Alex exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.

The group felt a new sense of hope and determination. "This changes everything," Jason said, his mind racing with possibilities. "We can store food, supplies, and everything we need."

Noah nodded, his expression serious but hopeful. "And it will make building the tree house that much easier. We can store tools, materials, and anything else we need without straining ourselves."

The group began to plan, their minds filled with ideas and possibilities. With the void, they could carry more, do more, and face whatever challenges lay ahead with greater confidence.

As the group continued to discuss their plans, Alex's mind raced with the possibilities of the black void he had somehow created. It was a game-changer, a way for them to carry more supplies and essentials without being weighed down. The initial shock of its appearance had given way to a sense of wonder and excitement.

"Let's test its limits," Alex said, his voice filled with determination. He began to go around the apartment, placing items into the void. He started with smaller things, cans of food, bottles of water, a first-aid kit. Each item disappeared into the void, and Alex could feel them there, ready for him to retrieve at will.

Encouraged by the void's seemingly limitless capacity, Alex decided to take things a step further. "We should take the blankets and pillows too." He suggested. "They'll be really helpful once we get the tree house built."

The group agreed, and Alex began to gather the blankets and pillows, placing them in the void. The void expanded slightly to accommodate the larger items, showing no sign of strain.

Curious, Alex decided to test the void's limits even further. "I wonder how big of something I can put into it," he mused aloud. He looked around the apartment his eyes landing on the couch. It was large, but if the void could handle it, it would be a significant discovery.

"Guys, I'm going to try putting the couch in," Alex announced, his voice a mix of excitement and trepidation.

The others watched, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. "Be careful, Alex," Noah said, his voice filled with caution.

Alex nodded, then focused on the couch. He placed his hand on it, willing the void to expand and take it in. To his amazement, the void swallowed the couch whole. The process was seamless, but as the last of the couch disappeared, Alex felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

"Whoa," he said, staggering slightly. The room spun for a moment, and he reached out to steady himself.

Noah was at his side in an instant, his arms supporting him. "Alex, are you okay?" He asked, his voice filled with concern.

Alex nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, just... a little dizzy. I think it's from processing all the information of what's inside the void. It's like my mind is trying to keep track of everything I've put in there."

The others gathered around their expressions worried. "Maybe you should take it easy," Sarah suggested. "We don't want you over exerting yourself."

Noah nodded, his expression serious. "She's right, Alex, we need you at your best. Let's take a break and figure out what to do next."

Alex took another deep breath, feeling the dizziness begin to subside. "Okay, you're right. I just got a little carried away. The void itself isn't overloaded, but I think my brain is trying to handle too much information at once."

After a short break, the group began to gather their things, preparing to leave the apartment. They knew they needed to get an early start if they wanted to at least get a platform built on the tree before nightfall. Staying safe and off the ground was a priority, and they couldn't afford to waste any time.

"We should take everything we can," Jason said, looking around the apartment. "We might not have a chance to come back."

Sarah nodded, her expression determined. "And with the void, we can carry more than we thought possible."

Noah helped Alex to his feet, making sure he was steady. "You okay to move?" He asked, his voice filled with concern.

Alex nodded, feeling more stable now. "Yeah, I'm good. Let's get going."

The group made their way to the door, each carrying a few essential items. Alex focused on the void, ensuring it was ready to hold whatever they needed. As they stepped out into the hallway, they moved quietly, their footsteps muffled by the carpeted floor.

The city outside was eerily quiet, a ghost town devoid of the usual hustle and bustle. They walked slowly, sticking to the shadows and listening for anything signs of danger. The route they had chosen was careful and deliberate, avoiding main streets and sticking to side roads as much as possible.

The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional distant sound of destruction. The group stayed close together, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any threats.

"Do you think anyone else is out there?" Sarah whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jason shooks his head, his expression grim. "I don't know. But we haven't seen anyone since the shockwave hit."

As they worked their way down the street, they kept their eyes peeled for Sarah's truck. It was their best chance of getting to the redwoods quickly, and they hoped it was still intact and functional.

"There it is," Sarah said, pointing to a small pickup truck parked at the curb. It was battered, but it looked like it could still run.

The group approached the truck cautiously, their hearts pounding with a mix of hope and fear. Sarah pulled out her keys, her hands shaking slightly as she unlocked the door. She climbed into the drivers seat, inserting the key into the ignition.

"Come on, come on," she whispered, turning the key. The engine sputtered for a moment, the roared to life. Sarah let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

"It works," she said, looking back at the others with a triumphant smile.

Noah helped Alex into the back seat, then climbed in beside him. Jason took the passenger seat, his expression a mix of relief and determination.

"Let's get out of here," Jason said, his voice firm.

Sarah nodded, putting the truck into gear and pulling away from the curb. They drove slowly, navigating the debris strewn streets with care. The city was a maze of destruction, but they managed to avoid the worst of it. Sticking to the paths they had planned.

As they made their way through the city, they spotted a large hardware store. Its parking lot was littered with debris, but the building itself seemed relatively intact.

"This could be our chance to get the supplies we need," Jason said, pointing to the store.

Sarah nodded, pulling into the parking lot. "Let's make it quick."

The group climbed out of the truck, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. The store was eerily quiet, the shelves stocked with goods. They moved quickly, grabbing everything they could, wood, nails, tools, and everything else they thought might be useful.

Alex focused on the void, placing stacks of wood and piles of tools into it. The void expanded to accommodate the large quantities, but Alex began to feel the familiar wave of dizziness wash over him.

"Alex, are you okay?" Noah asked, noticing his unsteady stance.

Alex nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, just... a little dizzy. The void is handling it, but my brain is struggling to keep up."

Noah nodded, his expression filled with concern. "Let's get you back to the truck. We have enough supplies now."

Noah gently picked Alex up, carrying him back to the truck. He placed him in the back seat, ensuring he was comfortable.

"Thanks, Noah," Alex said, giving him a weak smile.

Noah smiled back, his expression gentle. "Anytime."

With the truck loaded with supplies,the group set off towards the redwood forest. The drive was long, but the sight of the towering trees filled them with a sense of hope and determination.

As they arrived at the forest, they felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had the supplies they needed, and they were ready to start building their tree house, a sanctuary in the midst of chaos.

The truck rumbled to a stop at the edge of the redwood forest, the towering trees casting long shadows over the group as they climbed out. The air was cool and filled with the scent of pine, a stark contrast to the chaos of they had left behind in the city. Despite the beauty surrounding them, the weight of their situation was still heavy on their minds.

Noah immediately went to Alex's side, helping him out of the truck and gently seating him down next to a large redwood tree. "Stay here and rest," Noah said, his voice firm but gentle. "You need to recover from the dizziness."

Alex, nodded, grateful for Noah's care. "Thanks, Noah. I'll be okay. Just need a minute."

As Alex rested, the others gathered around, their eyes scanning the forest and the trees that would soon become their sanctuary. Jason pulled out the map they had been using, studying it intently.

"We need to figure out how to get close to the top of these trees," Jason said, his voice filled with determination. "We need a stable platform to build on, and it has to be high enough to keep us safe."

Sarah nodded, her eyes tracing the height of the trees. "We could use ropes and harnesses to climb up. I saw some in the hardware store."

Jason considered the idea, nodding slowly. "That's a good start. But we'll still need to secure a platform somehow. We can't just tie it to the branches."

Noah, who had been listening, spoke up. "What if we use the trees themselves as support? We can build around them, using their strength to hold up the platform."

Jason's eyes lit up with the idea. "That's it! We can build around frame that wraps around the trunk and branches, securing it in place. It would be stable and strong."

The group began to discuss the logistics, their minds racing with ideas and possibilities. They knew they had to be smart and resourceful if they were going to build a safe and secure tree house.

With their plan in place, the group set to work. They cleared the area around the base of the tree, removing debris and making room for their construction. While they had initially considered using smaller branches and twigs for additional support, they quickly realized that the solid wood beams and platforms they had stored in the void, along with their ample supply of nails and hammers, would be more then sufficient.

"We don't need the twigs and branches," Jason said, looking at the materials they had gathered. "We have everything we need in the void."

Sarah nodded, agreeing with his assessment. "You're right. The wood and tools we brought are more than enough."

The group decided to rely solely on the materials they had stored in the void, knowing they had enough to build a sturdy and secure platform without the need for additional reinforcements from the forest.

With their materials ready, the group began to climb the trees, using the ropes and harnesses they had brought. Sarah went first, her movements agile and confident. Jason followed, his cheetah agility helping him navigate the climb.

Noah helped Alex into the harness, ensuring it was secure before they began their ascent. "I've got you," Noah said, his voice reassuring. "Just take it slow."

Alex nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as they climbed. The height was dizzying, but the view was breathtaking. As they reached the top, they joined Sarah and Jason, who were already laying out the first pieces of wood from the void.

"We should start by securing the main beams," Jason said, pulling out a long piece of wood from the void. "They'll form the base of the platform."

Sarah nodded, helping him position the beam. "And then we can add the crossbeams for support."

Noah and Alex worked on securing the beams. Hammering nails into place. "How's this?" Noah asked, checking the stability of the frame.

Jason tested it, nodding with approval. "It's solid. Good job."

As they continued, the platform began to take shape. It was a large, rectangular structure, designed to wrap around the trunk and branches of the tree. The frame was strong and stable, the wood secured tightly in place.

"We need to make sure it's level," Sarah said, checking the alignment of the beams. "We don't want it to be uneven."

Jason nodded, adjusting the position of one of the beams. "There, that's better."

The group continued to work diligently, their movements coordinated and efficient as they constructed the platform high up in the redwood trees. The main beams were now securely in place, forming the sturdy base of their new sanctuary. Jason and Sarah were busy adding crossbeams, ensuring that the structure was both stable and level, while Noah and Alex focused on securing the wood with nails.

"How's it looking?" Jason called out, stepping back to inspect their progress.

Sarah nodded, her expression filled with determination. "It's coming along great. Just a few more beams to secure, and we'll be ready to add the flooring."

Noah hammered another nail into place his movements strong and precise. "I think we're making good time," he said glancing over at Alex.

Alex, who had been working along side Noah, paused for a moment to catch his breath. He felt a sense of pride at what they accomplished so far, but he also knew they needed to keep their energy up. An idea struck him, and he smiled to himself.

"Hey, while you guys keep building, I'm going to set up the portable stove," Alex said, pulling it out from the void. "I found it at the hardware store, and I think it's time we had something warm to eat."

Noah looked over, his expression softening with approval. "Good idea, Alex. We could all use a break and something to eat."

Alex set up the portable stove on a flat section of the platform, making sure it was stable before lighting it. He retrieved a pot and some canned soup from the void, setting them on the stove to heat. The aroma of the soup began to fill the air, a comforting scent amidst the cool forest breeze.

As Alex worked, Noah kept a close eye on him, his protective instincts never far from the surface. He watched as Alex moved around the stove, making sure he was safe and steady. "Need any help?" Noah asked, stepping closer.

Alex smiled, appreciating Noah's concern. "I'm good, thanks. Just need to stir the soup and let it heat up."

Noah nodded, but he didn't move away. He stayed close, ready to step in if needed. His presence was comforting, and Alex felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the stove.

The soup began to bubble gently, and Alex ladled it into bowls, handing the out to the others. Jason and Sarah took their bowls gratefully, their expressions filled with relief and gratitude.

"This is perfect," Sarah said, taking a sip. "Thanks, Alex."

Jason nodded, his mouth full of soup. "Yeah, thanks. We needed this."

Noah took his bowl, sitting down next to Alex. "Nice work," he said, giving Alex a warm smile.

They are in silence for a few moments, the only sound the gentle rustle of the leafs and the distant call of birds. The soup warm and filling, a much needed boost of energy for the work that lay ahead.

As they finished, the group felt a renewed sense of determination. With the break over, the group returned to work, their focus now on laying the flooring. They had stored the wooded planks in the void, and Alex retrieved them, handing them to Jason and Sarah as they worked.

"Let's start from the edges and work our way in, Jason suggested, laying the first plank in place.

Sarah nodded, helping him align the plank. "Make sure it's snug against the beams."

Noah and Alex joined in, each of them taking a section of the platform. They worked quickly, nailing the planks into place, their movements synchronized and efficient.

At they continued, the platform began to take shape, the flooring providing a solid and secure surface. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the forest, and the group knew they had to hurry to finish before it got dark.

"Almost there," Jason said, stepping back to admire their work. "Just a few more planks."

The group pressed on, their determination driving them forward. They knew completing the platform was crucial, not just for their safety, but for their morale as well.

Finally, the last plank was in place, and the group stepped back, looking at the finished platform with a sense of accomplishment.

"We did it," Sarah said, her voice filled with relief and pride.

Jason nodded, his expression one of satisfaction. "Now we have a safe place to rest."

Noah put an arm around Alex, pulling him close. "And it's all thanks to you, Alex. You made this possible."

Alex smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. He knew they still had a lot of work to do, but for now, they had a solid foundation to build on.