Carter
Waking up to the silent movements of lewis to see the last light of the day begin to disappear, getting ready for the night doesn't take long. Check both guns for any obvious marks, check canned food hasn't been snatched by a radroach, go down into the basement and hope the purifier hasn't given up, check stash and count how much is left all while lewis checks traps and the perimeter of the abandoned school.
Just a couple more weeks before the next caravan comes through.
"Im packed lets go its been quiet so there might not be much to grab but at least it wont be dangerous" lewis said coming through the door.
"Just did a recount we should have enough to move on once the caravan comes through"
Lewis looked over my shoulder to where he hid the growing stash.
"Its only because the mutants go back to their mountain after running down the raiders otherwise we would be like last year" being reminded about that long long winter is not something i enjoy but we learned and we survived.
Carefully following lewis as i swung my backpack on avoiding all the traps and tripping hazards left around. My eyesight perfect enough to pick out anything shiny no matter how dark it was definitely helped but following lewis is better.
Stepping outside that last bits of sunlight peaking through. A decaying landscape never getting better. The overgrown suburb providing shelter to people animals and mutants. Most places are so decrypt to use trees rust and time eroding what was once there. Stepping past the broken glass the fallen lamp posts littered about is routine now. avoiding the grass field. Never know what kind of mutant is hiding best to stick to the roads. Lewis slipping on the goggles we traded for a couple years ago.
"We should find some cloth or something those look to be getting too small for you" i whisper to lewis.
"Its fine for now besides that whats the route for today?"
Giving it a bit more thought then usual "why don't we check the raiders base before making our way east not too many people go to the eastside but hopefully all the recent gunfire has scared off some of the mutant animals." seemed like a good idea not to mention the most dangerous have already started moving back into their irradiated holes.
"Good enough for me you brought along the binoculars right?"
"Of course probably let me check when we reach the spot" ignoring the look lewis is giving i jog ahead making my way past the remains of a rusted fence. Nature reclaiming the land has made more obstacles but im used to avoiding the roots and broken up concrete. Looking downhill the lights from the local raider base shine. Silently dropping down with my bag opening one flap instantly spotting the binoculars. "See i told you" peering down at the base easily spotting the barricade surrounding a large open space with one large building at its center noting all the regular defenses. Turrets, towers manned by raiders cars and metal sheets scavenged from all the nearby buildings to make the best a raider can.
"They got more automated turrets and the big guy is showing his face around much more then before" i pass it on to lewis letting him do his own check through his goggles.
"Seems like the super mutants have really pushed them far not too surprised. They even added more crushed cars around their barrier probably got hidden mines around the entire block"
"Think they are sending anymore patrols out?" he knows much more about people then me thats for sure.
"If not then soon hopefully we can find any hidden stash some of those fuckers left around" the disgust in his voice is always visible when talking about raiders.
"That sounds like a plan for tomorrow then tonight were going east the sign of deathclaws around have finally disappeared and we can make a move for that taller building around the edge of the city" directing his attention to one of the few sky scrapers left standing. The building on the edge of making its final descent hopefully not today.
Finally making our way down the hill into the valley. The skyline of downtown casting deep shadows. Brick buildings that have fallen onto themselves. Steel towers tilting ever closer to the ground. Vines trees and bushes marking practically every corner of each building. avoiding any intersections cutting through ruined buildings slowly so that lewis had the chance to mark on his map where we have been. He has kept that map ever since we we got it from a rare Watch that came down from his tower. Slipping around one house that seemed in great condition compared to the rest. checking the drawers finding a few empty tin cans couple with some water (probably dirty considering the dirt floating around inside it). I did helpfully point out to an annoyed lewis who was obviously using his skills to get into what seems to be a locked room.
"Stop being a dumbass and help me check this room" i of course keep my smirk as i crossed over to him. Said room appears to be in decent condition considering the years the most notable find is a small radio on the nightstand. Keeping my pistol at the ready checking the corners and under the bed for any surprise ghoul waiting to ruin a day. Placing the radio in the big flap of my backpack is easy enough. Checking the drawers rewards a decent 9mm pistol and a silver medallion. Could be a medal i have no clue but its shiny so worth something.
"The clothes underneath the bed could fit either of us and would be much better then the scrap we have" facing lewis i see him holding up a nice looking black suit which i obviously will not be wearing."You can have that ill take jeans or a good sweater"
"Heh no sweaters just suits and dress pants which you should use"
The inner debate of glaring at lewis or the pants could go on longer but theres better things to do i guess.Outside the window and the decaying curtains night has arrived in full the only visible lights are the stars and the distant glow of bell. They say before the bombs the shine of the towering buildings shone every day and every night. Now all thats left is a good crater of radiation ghouls mutants and the towers on their sides.
"Stop daydreaming and put these on" i salute lewis quickly sliding out of the frayed shorts. The pants chosen for me are a nice silver gray muted by the constant haze of ash.
"Think this will stop the super mutants from attacking?" because obviously if im too hot then they cant kill me.
"The world will cheer when you finally decide to wear something resembling fashion"
Ignoring that since i spot another suitcase in the closet this one seems to be more sturdy then the other.
Its locked
"Help"
"Alright scoot over i got it"
Deciding that i have better things to do i check the safe that was behind it. The lock might just be rusted enough to open aaaand. Nope. lewis of course noticed."Ill get to it after this is a good haul so we can wait."
Welp time to sit here and fiddle with the radio. Seems to be decent common enough good glass and the metal inside should be good they make these water tight. Wiring is iffy seems to have surged through the whole thing but was too well made to explode.
Lewis finally got that suitcase open and moved onto the safe. Lets see snow clothes same size as the suits. Ooo a good pair of ice skating shoes the blades unblemished by time. The metal is enough to reflect the stars from the window. Maybe i should attached it to my forearms can be used as a block or if im desperate enough an attack. Better to stick with the gun but this could be great. Get some leather straps maybe some decent metal weld the blades onto the arm bracer and bam something new.
Turns out i spent much longer staring at the blades then i care to admit because lewis has already opened the safe.
"Lots of old money 2 boxes of 9mm some gold jewelry some other paper but its too dark for me to read an stop many letters. Oh and a couple pictures come and look'"
Staring at what looks like a white women standing at the top of a mountain wearing the same winter clothing i have in my lap. The sky blue and clear in the far distance you can see hints of clouds looking closer you can even see his breath as he gives the camera double thumbs up. Seems like she enjoyed wearing mens clothes or me and lewis are small. Heh no chance.
"I say we keep it might sell for a couple caps to the right buyer"
"The geiger ghouls would pay a decent amount they would love to use it as some inspiration for the next show they do in emerald city" lewis agreeing to my suggestion.
Finally packing it all up rolling the clothes into our bags and tightly compressing them to make room for more loot we continue the trek east towards the sky scraper.
"Such a fitting name sky scraper like baseball you have bases and balls got it all in the name and sky scrapers well they make the wind blow around them scraping the sky and the clouds"
Lewis tilting his head giving it some thought before nodding along. I jog ahead chuckling a little cant be too loud.
I stop noticing something different my eyes catching sight of more color then necessary. Seems the otters went through here the carcass of a radstag the flies a thick cloud and the only thing that gave away its location. Too distant to have caught the smell not with the wind blowing things to the east up the mountains."Dead radstagg probably the otter pack seems like they are appreciating the lack of deathclaws too"
"Yes but unlike them we cant kill a lone deathclaw"
"If we spot any sign of a lingering deathclaw we fuck off i know this, you know this but there hasnt been any sign so lets just grab what we can."
Now just across the street is the building the only thing between us and sweet loot is of course 4 supermutants fighting 6 massive mutant otters. We both decide best decision is to hide in the closest building.
"This is super creepy why did they have these" gesturing at the dilapidated kids playground that surrounds the building we both are huddled in.
"I know less then you but hopefully either the supermutants are too creeped out to come near or that the otters decide the mutants are enough meat for today"
"You brought along any of the explosive traps?" hoping that would slow down something.
"2 ill go work my magic you keep an eye on things". Deciding the best way to keep a lookout was definitely at a different window i peek around.
2 supermutants lay on the ground swarmed by the otters. Who themselves seem unbothered by the guns beings used but avoiding the massive club the biggest mutant is swinging around. One otter makes a sudden lunge for the smallest supermutant who successfully blocked the attack with his arm. The cost being he now has one arm. The fight quickly being moved away from us as the supermutants move back retreating. The big supermutant who i will name leader uses both hands to smash one otter into paste which leaves it to 4 otters vs 2 mutants. Leader looks at runt who is the smallest of the supermutant and nods. It takes couple seconds to realize whats about to happen. "Lewis!! Take cover!"
that runt fucker just pulled out a mini nuke.
The light blindes first then the sound leaves you rolling around on the floor for a split second before the heat hits and you're left either dead or wishing you were. First thing i can see is the stars ever present ever beautiful. Next i see lewis on the ground hands around his head in the corner of my eye. Finally i see the sky scraper descending blocking out the light of the moon. I could make out the exact details of furniture falling out one side. The glass windows long since been gone. The steel frame buckling even as the weight continues to transition. The tiny reflections off of the remaining pieces of glass still stuck showing off the belt of light in the sky.
Lewis has crawled over next to me seems like this will be a story to live through or a good way to die. Small fires have started around us the ever present haze of ash growing thicker by the second. The sound of a dying beast of steel will forever haunt the last moments.
Wiping my face to remove the ash and dust realizing not only am i still alive but i can feel lewis breathing next to me and its night. "Fuck"
"Nngh"
"We need to get up" i stand up trying to pull him with me. Looking around what once was a building with a roof was now 4 walls kind of. The walls were more suggestions with how collapsed they are. Luckily the force of the explosion blew the roof away instead of having it collapse on to us. Outside theres still an angry red permeating everything around. The building seemed to have fallen towards the explosion after the nuke blew out the closest supports. Where the crater probably formed is now blocked by the massive steel frame thats left from the time left in the wasteland. Rust doing more damage then anything else. Quickly pulling up a bandana mask to cover my mouth continue to evaluate anything from whats happened too shocked to move away. Fire still rages but the dust seems to have choked most out of existence. Its been years and years generation upon generation and yet still those supermutants can find those nukes their biology specialized to go into most likely places to house them and also the most irradiated places. Now this too will be a small location where no human can stay no regular human can withstand for long.
Nearly jumping out my skin as lewis hugs me form behind. "Fucking hell what the fuck damnhooo" return the hug holding back the rush of tears i can feel. We survived another day we learned from another mistake. Holding each other for just a couple more minutes.
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"Ok ok ok, what happened?" lewis asked exasperated both of us still in complete shock.
"Runt supermutant had a mini nuke decided to use it instead of becoming otter dung" i look back at the site blood still showing despite the blanket of red dust and gray ash. The bodies themselves burnt to a crisp. The fight ended far from where it started. Just far enough for us to survive.
"Shit the supermutants should have stayed in thier fucking mountain what are we going to do now?"
There could be another patrol for supermutants just right around the corner. But that building has opened up a space that might not have been touched since the bombs. I don't mind the rads and we have rad-away to keep each other healthy.
"We should do a quick check of that buildings basement if it looks like its already been ran through we dip if not then why not see what we can find" lewis looks skeptical really skeptical.
"20 minutes tops"
"Lets get started then" i stop first just to apt down my body make sure nothing is sticking out before dashing down the street making my way along side the building. Glancing behind me just to make sure lewis is following. Have to doge around the spikes of steel beams splintered from the crash. The rust marking everything proof that time takes everything. The geiger counter starts ticking louder and louder forcing me to start making my way around to the other side of the ruins facing away from the street. Crouching underneath fallen bits of concrete and steel i spot the crumbling flooring. Checking my rad level quick i take the rope off my backpack and tie it around the sturdiest looking column left.
"Slow down you know i cant take this as well as you."
"Don't worry just making things ready for when you finally show up" i move aside so that he can inspect my work. He is much better at knots then i am so better just leave it to the professionals.
I loop the rope through the dress pants allowing me to easily rappel down to the basement.
Its the most cleanest place i have ever seen. I doubt most people have ever seen a place this clean not since the eruption of mt rainier or especially the bombs. Quickly scanning for an obvious ceiling turrets or any other sign of power. Nothing seems to be sticking out the white walls gray flooring the blue and green highlights and detailing around the doors and outlets. The sound of lewis dropping down behind me and his almost silent gasp catches my attention. His flashlight shining through the dust falling through the hole. Its spotlight catching the white outer layer of the basement.
"So we should explore"
"Sure sure" i have won and now time for treasure. Making my way down the hall peeking into the open doors spotting small rooms with desks and computers. Its practically worth everything stashed back at base. The worth of what appears to be working computers is more then anything lewis has ever sold.
"We cant take any they are too heavy and would take too long to separate from the desks"I look back glaring at lewis ruining my dreams.
"Fine moving on" each room seems to be the same almost bare. Finding a nuka cola on one desk still unopened is enough of a prize so far. Lewis took it into his bag not trusting me to keep it from shattering. Finally reaching a stairwell down lewis concedes and we continue our way. Hopefully there is a second exit thats safer then the one we used.
"Shit do you think we should have taken the rope?"
"Too late now and theres no way to know if theres another exit"
Expecting the second level basement to be the same we both stand shocked when instead we pass through what was once a high level security check with a long walkway. "What do you think they did here?" hoping lewis might figure out more from the clues.
"No fucking clue" lewis disapointing me
"Sigh"
"Don't audibly sigh because i'm not all knowing"
"I expect great things from you brother" which got me a good whack in the shoulder.
Now out of the checkpoint we reach a pile of skeletons.
Lewis shines his light around the ground looking for something."Bullet casings seems like security decided no one was leaving" i look over at lewis who has picked up a few brass cylinders.
"All knowing"
"Fuck off its a guess"
Pushing past the labcoats and skeletons the hallway opens up to laboratory upon laboratory atleast its what i think one would look like all the science equipment generally thrown about. Glass casses shattered most of everything in some way broken or damaged.
"Look first aid station im going to check see if it still has anything" i follow lewises finger to a red cart in one of the side labs . shrugging i continue down the hall. There i spot what looks like a massive steel door slightly open. The complete silence of the entire floor finally getting past the new ringing in my ears. An involuntary shiver going across my spine. I check behind me just to make sure lewis is still there. I watch him for a bit crouched next to the cart looking through all the drawers. Turning back to the what might be a vault. Heard stories of the technology stored inside the legendary vaults they say the original council of emerald city were from a vault. I step closer seeing whats keeping the door open. Another skeleton this one in armor holding up a rifle. One spent casing a hole in his skull.
Looking inside theres a single fusion reactor with a fusion core inside. In front of it a glass case holding what appears to be a handheld computer or something you can strap to your arm. The reactor seems to be off with no lights on inside. Afraid to set an alarm off i stay clear of the glass case and head back to lewis.
"Lewis theres a vault and a fusion core back there""Sweeet theres a bunch of stimpaks rad-x and rad-away here. Not to mention all these different pain killers"
Seems like this is a jackpot or whatever those horse riders say. I help pack all the medication into our bags making sure theres nothing that will crack open. The silence of the entire floor creeping ever closer.
"Alright lets fully explore this floor i have a feeling there isn't one more level" lewis makes some good points especially considering that vault in the back. I take a step back just to breathe in the clean air bringing down my mask. Its stale.
"HA good job" glaring at him as i feel like coughing out a lung for a quick second. Pulling my mask back up i admire the clean glass contrasted to the absolute mess every lab seems to be in. going through corridor after corridor of labs we reach what looks to be a large office."Executive researcher"
"Yes lewis i can read too"
"Sometimes"
Ignoring that i make my way into the room taking it in. a large desk with 3 separate computers papers thrown everywhere. The walls covered in writings and in the far back opened just enough to be noticed is another hallway. Checking around the room finding a security key and some tapes with no writing on them. I stash them for later maybe i can pay someone to play it for me. The desk is completely wooden and massive. Probably was expensive. Behind on a whiteboard are different pictures showing the item i saw in the glass case. So if it wasn't obvious already then the thing is important.
"Nano technology"
"Wonder if we can take it"
Moving around the desk i open the door to the hallway spotting a final skeleton its fingers still touching the buttons to what looks like a door.
"Thats the exit" lewis gives me a look that defines 'oh really' he seems to do it so well. I drag him back to the vault going at a light job keeping in mind how long we have already been down here.
"That looks like a vault poor security guy think the armor would fit me?"
"Hmmm maybe the helmet yes and the leg bracers" i help him take the bracers off seeing if they could be fitted to him. Seems like the straps will have to be replaced but i bet it would be good armor much better then the no armor we currently have. Stepping aside i bring lewis into the vault with its single exhibit.
"That has to be trapped"
I nod along.
Bringing out the key i took from the office searching for anything it could fit into. Lewis by my side his flashlight making weird colors going through what i thought was glass. With no warning the key flies form my hand latching itself onto the pillar which is holding the case with surprising quickness dissolved and disappeared into metal. With a hiss the case lowered around the rising device.
"Energy at 100% metal capacity at 32% all systems are green"
The sudden automatic female voice made both of us jump back weapons ready. Slowly lowering our guns we watch as the transparent material disappears into the pillar. The device held out seemingly ready to be taken.
"The TAYLOR Nano prototype is ready for testing dr."
The voice sounded again coming from the pillar.
"So should i pick it up or do you want to?" i ask looking at lewis.
"Im not touching it." so i walk over and grab it holding it gently.
All at once the back reactor turns on the lights start activating and theres a sudden whirring machine noise all around. With no thought besides survival we sprint out of the vault running down the halls hoping a swarm fo protectrons don't pop out the walls.
"It might be risky but i say the door past the researchers office" i say between breaths running faster then before. Red lights now popping out the walls blaring loud noises.
"It might be that i have my insides blown around from earlier but i agree"
"ALERT ALERT LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF RADIATION HAS BEEN DETECTED ALERT ALERT"
"Fuck keep running" dont need to be told twice i make my way into the office jumping over the desk to a straight shot through the hallway right to what look like working buttons. Hard to tell with all the loud noises and bright lights around. I watch as lewis presses the same button the skeleton was pushing the backpack dragging me to the floor. I step inside as the door automatically opens only to stare shocked into what must be a fancy closet. We both step inside looking round.
"Maybe these buttons would work?" i look around until i finally notice what he mentioned. Between the weird mirror ceiling and the green blue walls of the closet my eyes were a bit busy and my mind still trying to figure a way out. I watch as lewis hesitantly pushes 1 of the 3 buttons.
The door closes and now im holding back a scream as i feel the ground moving. "Im the one who pushes buttons and yet this might be the second worst button to push" lewis looking dazed confused and ready to bolt.
Seconds later the door opens again. This time to hints of sunrise.Hesitantly stepping out watching the outside for any movement into what appears to be a concrete building filled with scrapped cars just outside i can see where we entered.
"I am all knowing" i punch his shoulder. Now that i have seen what the building is supposed to look like i can see hints of what was once there from the slight color highlights around doors or the gray and white paint on most surfaces. Atleast from the outside. Wherever we have been transported to its no longer in the base of what once was the tall skyscraper. Checking over the straps on my backpack then doing the same to lewis.
"Everything is good lets make our way back" he nods. Stepping outside the building the sunrise finally showing its beauty the ash mostly back to its normal level. Radiation has gone down enough for even lewis to pass by if he is quick enough. I stop by what was once a window peaking around for any signs of supermutants. The nearby buildings close to falling apart from the explosion. What seems to be a large amount of shipping containers seems to have been haphazardly tossed around. The large wide building across the street seems to have weathered it well enough.
"I say we cut across the creek go to the intersection thats slightly flooded to cut across the woods avoid most of the deeper city" its a suggestion an option.
Lewis looking back from his own lookout gives a nod before going back to searching for signs. Making our way to the north side of the compound into what looks like a well developed marsh thats probably filled with boat flies and those mutant otters. "Lets stick close to the road dont think either of us want to go too deep in there"
Sneaking our way around the ruins the fire still clinging on in some places but the moisture ash and dust seems to have prevented any wildfire. Carefully stepping on the burnt plant life. Slowing down to let lewis take front. Hes always been better at sneaking around so i just have to follow his footsteps. The sounds of the birds waking up the buzz of the insects thats been absent since the explosion coming back with a wave. Little guys were always more resistant to nukes.
It takes close to an hour to make it the 2,000 feet. Now to cross the creek. Lewis helpfully points out an old truck thats stuck in the water. We can easily use it to cross just will be a bit of a jump to get to the other side. Never a good idea to stay long in the water never know what wildlife is around. Taking care of any of the more sharper edges to the truck i climb on top. Looking around the landscape. Distant things flying around the seemingly lifeless skeletonized trees like skyscrapers among a city of greener wider buildings. The morning fog coming in preventing me from seeing too far.
Lewis tosses his bag before making this own jump from the hood of the car sinking into marsh easily landing outside of the water. Lining up to jump right next to where he is already slipping my backpack off. Underhand toss right into his arms. Now for the jump. The squelch my feet make as they land into the mud is as bad as the smell my legs now give off from being so deep in the mud.
Quickly stepping towards the visible pavement. Most of the road underwater or being swallowed by the surrounding marsh or forest.
According to the map we just had to make it up the hill and we will avoid the more dangerous or more active parts of downtown. Doing a quick search of all the cars permanently stuck seeing nothing but the usual rusted metal, broken glass and skeletons. Lewis looks back.
"Hey you never know im lucky enough right?" he snorts and we keep going. Now to make it through the woods good thing both of us know our way well enough to not get lost. Might be we can check some of the old traps on the way back at this rate.
Climbing past one tree wich has fallen down using its branches to pull past the small cliff. Lewis already at the top keeping watch. Only thing keeping either of us alive is the lack of yao guai. Making it to the top i can overgrown ruins of what was once a nice neighborhood. Peering through the windows of one house a tree growing through the roof and another bursting through what looks like a porch. The quick sight of a molerat tail gets me pulling out my gun.
"Molerats probably a nest in one of these houses be careful" lewis careful steps next to me his gun out as well.
"Do we avoid or take them out now?" we have the medicine to heal from a few fights now no matter how diseased these molerats are. On the other hand its best to bring back the haul we already have.
"Lets not get greedy we will avoid you take the lead" lewis keeps his gun out making his way around the houses staying in the middle of whats left of the road. Keeping my gun to the ground listening for any digging sounds and prepared for any other ambush. Can easily pick out the sound of them moving around everytime we come close to any of the houses.
Walking up the hill following the curve of the street the overgrowth slowing down soon its open skies and no more molerats. The decrepit suburb a welcome sight after the day we both have. My legs complaining very loudly my stomach agreeing. I doubt lewis is doing any better. Good thing we have some molerat meat left over from 2 days ago. Mmmmm ill make it into a good soup have some decent spices from what appears to be an old school community garden. Mint loves to grow no matter the condition. Some basil and thyme mom did love teaching us to cook every chance she got.
Up ahead the military checkpoint in the same position it was hundreds of years ago blown apart by a mob. The APC pushed onto its side into a ditch skeletons all around. Weathered signs still say.
'Food and emergency supplies provided by Vault Tec and Nuka Cola'
In smaller lettering below
'For those that can work only'
Seems like people didnt appreciate being held over like that. Too bad the entire place has already been picked clean. Was one of the places i would have chosen for a base but lewis is right. Too many people know about it and would also agree that it makes a great base location. Better to stick with second or third choices.
Following lewis as he checks his traps is always fun seeing where he put them and how he made them always mystified me i could never really work it out like he could. Most of the traps have been chewed through some other carnivore getting an easy meal. Nearing the next trap hearing distressed sounds is good news for todays meal. Molerat is just not as tasty as rabbit and not as tasty as anything i enjoy having more then i have to. Lewis makes quick work snapping its neck and replacing the trap in a new spot.
Its the final stretch home now. Avoiding the small trip wire left around doing my best not to disturb any of the debris that probably hides something lewis put there. Avoiding the grass fields again dragging my ass up the stairs took a lot of convincing for my legs to listen.
"Fuck"
"You can say that again holy shit next time we should just run especially when it concerns supermutants"
"Yes well we got a lot of loot" i say slipping my backpack off setting it down next to my sleeping spot. A bunch of old furs stacked atop each other. Never selling any foxes we caught was such a good idea. Fighting with my eyes to stay awake was made easier with the thought of making dinner.
"Ill clean the rabbit you prep the fire and pot" tending to the old ash marked spot on the floor is easy after enough practice. Choosing 5 sort of straight pieces of wood setting them up above enough kindling. grabbing the iron pot pouring some water in from the plastic container i set up. Attach the pot to the pole set it above the wood. Lighter to start the fire.
With the water boiling i slip in some herbs slowly stirring the water. Lewis is already prepping the rabbit slicing it up into easy bits. Some potatoes and wild carrots. Mom taught us both how to find them. Easy to distinguish and common in suburb back yards. Now the meat this soup should last the next couple days.
"Been a couple weeks since i got the rabbit before whatever keeps stealing my catch"
"Probably a smart fox kept following your scent to feed itself" i pat him on the shoulder as we wait for the food to finnish.
Now full i put the fire out covering it with a bucket of ash saved just for the occasion. Lewis is working on the backpacks tying them up and putting up the hanging tin cans. It doesn't take long for me to fully wrap myself up.
"Goodnight"
"Goodnight"