Chapter 9 – The Forest of Peril

Krikk...!

Alvaro's eyes snapped open at the sound. He turned toward Laura, curled up and fast asleep beside him.

He tensed, listening. The sound grew louder and closer. Swiftly, he shook Laura awake.

"What is it?" she asked groggily.

"Get up! There's danger," he urged, helping her to her feet.

But it was already too late. Standing before them was a large, ravenous bear.

"Al—?" Laura stared in shock and terror.

Alvaro immediately stepped in front of her, his spear firmly raised. The bear's eyes glowed with ferocity, its sharp claws scraping the earth as it prepared to strike. Its heavy breathing echoed in the still night air.

"Don't move. Stay behind me," Alvaro whispered, never taking his eyes off the bear.

Laura nodded, body shaking violently, trying to control her breath to avoid drawing attention.

The bear growled, its massive form slowly advancing toward them.

"I'll distract him," Alvaro whispered. "If you get an opening, run toward those rocks and hide."

Laura froze in alarm.

"No but now," Alvaro cut her off firmly. "Trust me."

Without waiting for a response, Alvaro grabbed a large rock and hurled it toward the bear. It roared in anger and charged aggressively.

"Go now!" he shouted, darting away to draw the bear's attention away from Laura.

Laura stood frozen for a moment, fear and concern battling within her. But her instincts eventually urged her to flee toward the rocks Alvaro had pointed out.

Meanwhile, Alvaro darted among the trees, narrowly avoiding swipes from the bear's sharp claws. "Come after me," he murmured, panting.

Within seconds, the bear reared up on its hind legs, a massive, intimidating sight. Alvaro tensed, spear raised for a final strike.

The beast lunged with full power.

"For survival," Alvaro whispered, driving the spear deep into the bear's chest with all his might.

The bear roared, its powerful thrashing shaking the forest floor. Yet it didn't collapse immediately. With its final strength, it swiped at Alvaro's shoulder.

He jumped aside, only to feel hot pain as blood oozed from the wound. Despite the agony, Alvaro stayed upright, his spear still embedded in the bear.

The bear finally collapsed with a heavy breath, blood pooling around it. Its eyes dimmed, and it lay still.

Alvaro let out a long breath, his body trembling with fatigue and pain. He turned to see Laura stepping from behind the rocks, face pale with worry.

"Alvaro!" she cried, rushing to his side.

"Stay calm... I'm fine," he replied, voice low but measured.

"You're bleeding!" Laura exclaimed, pressing a leafy bandage to his shoulder.

"I've been through worse," he replied with a faint smile, though the pain made his smile wince.

"We need to tend to your wound," she said firmly. She retrieved the medicinal leaves they'd collected earlier and began immediate first aid.

Alvaro sat leaning against a nearby tree, eyes closed. "You're tougher than you look," he murmured softly.

Laura managed a faint smile, though worry still flickered in her eyes. "You're amazing too... but don't go trying to be a solo hero next time, okay?"

"Ugh... this hurts like hell!" Alvaro winced.

"It'll stem the bleeding. Hang on," Laura said, glancing at the fallen bear.

"Are we going to leave it here?" she asked, uneasy.

"Why? Want to eat it?" Alvaro replied lightly, sweat beading his forehead.

"Eww... of course not," Laura grimaced as she settled beside him, gazing into the dark forest.

"I wonder what other surprises await us," he murmured.

In the resumed silence, they recognized they'd won a major battle, but the forest still loomed threateningly.

Alvaro stared at the bear's corpse. "It'll feed other creatures. No need to worry," he said, steadying his breath.

Laura shook her head. "I just... never expected our lives to turn out like this. Surviving in a deadly forest."

"Sometimes life throws you into places you never imagined," Alvaro replied quietly. "The important thing is we're still alive."

Laura paused, glancing at the dark forest. "I don't know what scares me more the forest or whatever future lies ahead."

Alvaro looked at the faint campfire they still kept alive. "Don't think too far ahead. Focus on your next step."

She gave a small smile, though her anxiety lingered. "You do sound like the lead in a survival movie," she teased softly.

Alvaro raised an eyebrow and chuckled despite his pain. "And you're the stubborn co-lead."

Laura snorted. "Don't underestimate me. I'll steal the show."

They fell silent again. The forest's dangers remained, but pain and fatigue seemed lighter.

"Let's rest for a while. Tomorrow, we move again," Alvaro said, voice weakening.

Laura looked at his drowsy face. "Alright, but no nightmares, okay? I don't want to deal with you sleep-talking," she joked gently.

He offered a faint smile before drifting off. Laura kept vigil, eyes alert.

In the still forest darkened by night, they found strength in each other's presence.

Laura let out a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She watched Alvaro sleeping beside her dirty, blood-stained, sweat-slicked, yet at peace.

Her gaze was drawn to him. Despite the danger, exhaustion, and injuries, Alvaro sat ready for the next challenge, a man she had come to admire, even if she refused to admit it.

"You stubborn hero," she whispered, a soft smile on her lips.

She checked the pouch with remaining medicinal leaves, it was intact and folded neatly. They were invaluable if tomorrow brought more emergencies.

A breeze rustled the damp forest leaves, joined by the chorus of chirping crickets. Laura pulled her jacket tighter against the cold.

Her eyes went back to Alvaro. "Thank you, Al," she murmured. "Without you, I might have given up."

Though the night was long and dangers still surrounded them, Laura felt a spark of hope. With Alvaro, survival was possible, because they watched each other's backs.

***

Morning light broke, and Alvaro stirred painfully. His shoulder throbbed, but the bleeding had stopped Laura's remedy worked.

"You know how to survive, huh?" he muttered, half-impressed, half-teasing.

Laura, packing their gear nearby, smiled. "Up and at 'em, hero?"

Alvaro chuckled, voice tight with pain. "If not for you, I might've bled out."

"Then consider it a little payback for dealing with that bear solo," she replied calmly. "But seriously, no more heroics, okay?"

He grinned. "Oh really? Could you have faced a bear with me?"

Laura scoffed. "Yeah, I'd run strategic retreat."

He shook his head, still smiling. "Realistic, not cowardly."

"Whatever helps you sleep," she quipped, stowing supplies.

"I just don't want you hurt," he said, softer now, eyes intent.

She paused, looking at him. "Thanks, Alvaro... but remember: we fight this together. Don't take all the risks."

His smile hinted at relief. "Deal. But if another bear shows up, we bolt together." He held out his hand.

She accepted with a grin. "Deal. And if we find medicinal plants, I call the shots."

He nodded. "Your specialty for sure."

After they checked their gear, they moved on with renewed resolve. The sun climbed, bringing hope to the still-dangerous forest.

***

"So, Mr. Hero, what's for lunch today?" Laura asked. "Rabbit twice might be ambitious, right?"

Alvaro chuckled despite the pain. "If a rabbit crosses us again, why not? But I doubt they're that stupid."

Laura sighed, scanning the woods. "Let's hope for more fruit or fish in that river."

"I'll fish if we find safe water," he replied.

"And if not?"

"We eat fruit. unless we want to join the river's menu," Alvaro joked.

Laura winced. "Yeah... pond scum might be safer than crocodiles."

"Actually, I wouldn't mind something heartier than fruit or fish," he said, trying to lift the mood.

"Like steak?" Laura teased.

"Yep, with fries."

They laughed, the forest's tension easing. With spirits lifted, they pressed on toward sustenance.

Later, Laura stopped to kick a small stone. "Steak and fries are just dreams, huh?"

Alvaro smirked. "Dreams are free."

Laura laughed. "Better than this forest survival fee we're paying."

"Life's costlier now battle scars included," Alvaro joked, touching his shoulder.

"How's the wound?" she asked.

"Still hurts, but not enough to slow me down."

"Impressive."

They reached the river at last. Laura's eyes sparkled. "Do you hear it?"

Alvaro paused, listening, then smiled. "River. Finally."

They quickened their pace toward it, cautious yet hopeful they might finally have safe water and food.

They found a clear riverbank, though the threat of submerged dangers remained. Laura crouched, testing the water. "Looks clean, but stay alert."

She filled their bottle. "Time to wash wounds too."

Alvaro breathed easier. "A bit of peace, finally."

She nodded, filling water and tending cuts. He watched the forest.

When done, Laura sat by the river, exhaling. "Today might be better, huh?"

"I hope so," he said, beside her.

"Can you catch fish?" she asked.

He raised an eyebrow. "Fish? I can try, but need bait. Not with bare hands."

Laura lit up. "I'll find bait maybe insects or worms."

"Okay," he said, preparing the spear tip. "But if it fails, we have fruit."

"True."

They teamed up, Laura hunting bait, Alvaro readying tools.

Moments later, she returned with insects. "Should do."

"Perfect," he said, ready to fish.

They waited, focused, hopeful amid lingering tension.

A shadow moved in the water. Alvaro lunged and speared a good-sized fish.

"Gotcha!" he cheered, hunched but triumphant.

Laura cheered too. "We did it!"

Relief flooded them they had real food at last.

They sat and caught their breath, delighting in their hard-won prize.

"This is our lunch," Alvaro said, admiring the fish.

"Teamwork!" Laura smiled. "Time to cook."

"I'll improvise—with hot stones," he said.

"Let's do it," she replied eagerly.

They gathered stones and cooked the fish near the fire, working expertly under pressure.

He turned a stone-cooked fish. "Might take a bit, but it'll work."

She waited with hope. "I can't wait."

Their efforts paid off: tender, smoky fish. They laughed, savoring it deeply.

"I didn't expect river fish to taste this good plain," Laura said.

"Me neither."

"My stomach's full now," she grinned as they ate.

As they finished, Alvaro stiffened. "Looks like we have company," he said, spear in hand.

Laura jumped up behind him, alarmed.

A river crocodile had emerged onto the bank behind her.

"It's bigger than I thought," Laura stammered, fear in her voice. "Is it going to make us its lunch?"

***