The forest seemed to be unaffected by the changes of seasons, that or time passed far slower than the children thought. Their settlement had boomed, from its humble twelve to its current 43 there was hardly any space. Other than population many other changes happened.
The cave expanded with everyone getting their own room. Pillars made from fallen trees and branches were put in place to support the ceiling in places. New bedding made of fur became available, and fruit drinks in wooden cups were possible.
All this was thanks to the boy’s sister, she had begun hunting with five others. The animals the group brought back was bigger, and there was plenty of it. Not a single part of the animal went to waste either: teeth became decorations or weapons, bones were used in construction, and a few tendons were used to make boys.
None of the children could use a bow properly, none of them having been allowed near one, but they hoped this would change. arrows were just pointed sticks with a notch in them for the tendon, but there were plenty of them.
The group had also begun on a basic map, covering only the most important features and locations. The map was mainly meant for decoration as the group gave up exploring too deep due to their size, and the stationary nature off the camp.
Even so, the boy’s sister came back one day with a discovery, something so grand she dragged the boy along. The boy was not one to refuse and giddily followed the pillar of his heart, and the camp. They went over a few rivers, and through what seemed like an eternity of trees, but when they arrived the boy understood.
It was beautiful, a tree that stood taller than any other, it’s top spreading far and wide. The light played off its green leaves, some glimmered while others let the light shine through. The wavy trunk, filled with knurls and knots gave the entire scene a sense of timelessness, like one that would withstand eternity.
the forest was soon filled with laughter as they played around that tree, but that seemed to have been the beginning of the end.
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On their way back it became apparent what they had attracted with their laughter, arrows far different from their own pierced the earth beside them. The children tried to run, but even in such a grand forest, the archer went unobscured. The second arrow missed, but the third hit the forest’s greatest treasure.
The girl collapsed on her brother, but she did not scream. the only thing left on her face was a smile and a whisper as the pain milked tears from her eyes.
“survive”
The word haunted the boy as he was hidden by his sister, her body atop of his. It must have seemed like a foolish decision to keep the boy there, but it was one that worked. The hunters did not notice until he pushed away and ran.
the hunter's joyous cries at more prey rang out and they drew their bows once more. they shot to the sides of the boy, savoring the taste of the hunt as they gave chase.
they wanted to see how far the child would run, how far their fun would last.
the boy ran, he ran and ran with all his might. his breath became ragged and gritty but even as the taste of metal rose within his throat he continued. his legs felt heavy, filled with water, but he continued.
wind cut away at his face and ice descended on his ears, but he ran. the rocks grew into daggers that ripped at his feet, but he ran. as his bloody feet raced on every bump and divot in the ground became an obstacle. the boy fell, he fell and fell but he kept running. he never looked back, even as the arrows stopped.
his eyes were on fire and his heart was about to explode. his lungs heaved and he was about to give in. but nature decided to quench his parched throat.
the boy tripped over a rock and went fell straight into a river he had yet to see. the gushing water dragged his feet along and brought \his head crashing into the river bed. the boy could now rest as blood was washed away from his skull and feet.
the out of breathe hunters caught sight of the tailed creature tumbling down the river like a leaf fluttering in the wind. the two gave a few sighs of annoyance at the sight, they had chased the child all the way only to have the kill taken out from under them.
their grumblings only lasted a short while however, there were plenty more to catch in this little paradise they found.
The boy ran and ran, he ran until bloodied footprints trailed behind him. the boy did not care if there was anyone behind him, he kept running. Fatigue washed over him, but still he ran. The boy was only stopped when he fell into the river, it seemed that the life saved would truly be lost.