The Long 7 Days

The group moved silently along the creek, their senses heightened by the events of the previous night. The rising sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled light across the forest floor. Despite the calming sounds of running water and chirping birds, a lingering unease hung over them like a shadow.

Alex took point, his knife in hand, eyes scanning the terrain for any sign of movement. Eve followed close behind, her bow ready, while Jack brought up the rear, his rifle clutched tightly as if it were a lifeline. None of them spoke, their attention focused on the surrounding woods.

The blood trail from the creature they had fought the night before was still faintly visible, leading deeper into the forest. Alex had decided against following it directly. They needed to put distance between themselves and whatever else might be lurking nearby. Still, he couldn't help glancing at the trail occasionally, his mind racing with questions.

"What do you think that thing was?" Jack's voice broke the silence, though it was barely above a whisper.

Alex didn't respond immediately. He glanced over his shoulder at Jack, noting the tension in his posture and the sweat beading on his brow. The kid was scared—and for good reason.

"Doesn't matter right now," Alex said finally, his tone curt. "What matters is staying alive."

Jack frowned but didn't press further. Eve glanced at Alex but said nothing, her expression as unreadable as ever. She had been quieter than usual since the encounter, her sharp focus tinged with something Alex hadn't seen before: doubt.

By midday, the forest began to thin, giving way to a series of rolling hills. The creek meandered through the landscape, its clear waters glinting in the sunlight. Alex stopped at the base of a hill, raising a hand to signal the others to halt.

"We'll take a break here," he said, his voice low. "Eve, scout the area. Jack, refill the canteens."

Eve nodded, slinging her bow over her shoulder as she moved toward a rocky outcrop overlooking the creek. Jack hesitated for a moment, then shuffled toward the water, his movements stiff and uneasy. Alex watched them both for a moment before crouching to inspect the ground.

The soil here was looser, the grasses sparse. It wasn't ideal for tracking, but Alex knew they couldn't afford to let their guard down. He examined the area, looking for any signs of recent activity. The only tracks he found were animal—deer, mostly, along with a few smaller prints likely left by raccoons or foxes.

"Clear," Eve called softly from the outcrop, her voice carrying just enough for Alex to hear. He nodded, standing and stretching his stiff limbs.

Jack returned with the refilled canteens, handing one to Alex and another to Eve when she rejoined them. He looked exhausted, his face pale and drawn. Alex took the canteen, drinking deeply before passing it back.

"We'll keep moving for a few more hours," Alex said, his tone brooking no argument. "There's more open ground here, but that works both ways. We'll see anything coming before it gets too close."

Jack gave a weak nod, not bothering to hide his relief when Alex didn't suggest splitting up or scouting further. Eve simply adjusted the quiver on her back, her sharp gaze scanning the horizon.

As the day wore on, the group covered several more miles. The landscape continued to shift, the dense forest giving way to open meadows dotted with clusters of trees. Alex felt a slight sense of relief—at least here, they wouldn't be ambushed as easily. Still, the openness brought its own dangers. They were more exposed, and any movement would be visible for miles.

The tension among the group had eased slightly, but Alex knew it was only temporary. The encounter with the beast had shaken all of them, and the reality of their situation was beginning to sink in. They were alone out here, with no reinforcements, no safe haven, and no guarantees.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Alex called for another stop. They found a small grove near the edge of a meadow, the trees providing some cover without completely obstructing their view of the surrounding area. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing.

"We'll make camp here," Alex said, dropping his pack and stretching his sore shoulders. "Jack, get the fire going. Eve, see if you can find any fresh tracks—something edible."

Eve nodded and disappeared into the trees, her movements silent and efficient. Jack, meanwhile, set to work gathering wood, his hands trembling slightly as he arranged the kindling. Alex watched him for a moment before kneeling to help.

"You're doing fine," Alex said, his voice softer than usual. "Just stay focused."

Jack looked at him, surprised by the reassurance. He nodded, his expression a mix of gratitude and lingering fear.

Night fell quickly, the temperature dropping with it. The fire crackled in the center of their camp, casting flickering shadows on the surrounding trees. Eve returned just as the last light faded, a pair of rabbits slung over her shoulder. She tossed them to Alex without a word, then sat by the fire, sharpening her arrows.

Alex set to work cleaning and preparing the rabbits, his movements efficient. The smell of roasting meat soon filled the air, a small comfort in the otherwise grim atmosphere. Jack sat close to the fire, his rifle resting on his lap, while Eve remained on the edge of the light, her eyes scanning the darkness.

"We need a plan," Jack said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was steadier now, though still tinged with uncertainty. "We can't just keep wandering around out here."

Alex didn't look up from his work. "We're not wandering. We're putting distance between us and whatever that thing was."

"But what happens when it catches up?" Jack pressed, his tone rising. "Or if there's more of them? We can't keep running forever."

Eve glanced at Alex, her expression unreadable. Alex finished skewering the meat and set it over the fire, finally looking at Jack.

"You're right," Alex said, his voice calm but firm. "We can't run forever. But we also can't fight something we don't understand. Right now, survival is the priority. If we live long enough to figure out what's going on, then we'll deal with it."

Jack opened his mouth to argue but seemed to think better of it. He nodded reluctantly, turning his attention back to the fire.

The group ate in silence, the tension between them palpable. Afterward, Alex took the first watch, sitting on the edge of the camp with his knife in hand. The night was quiet, the stars shining brightly overhead. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous night, but Alex couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

His thoughts drifted as he stared into the darkness. He thought about the creature, about its glowing eyes and unnatural resilience. It wasn't like anything he had encountered before. And if there was one, there could be more.

The hours passed slowly, the stillness of the night broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of an owl. When it was finally Eve's turn to take watch, Alex woke her with a light tap on the shoulder.

"Nothing so far," he said quietly as she sat up, her bow already in her hand.

She nodded, her eyes sharp and alert despite the late hour. "Get some rest. You'll need it."

Alex lay down near the fire, his knife still within reach. He closed his eyes, but sleep didn't come easily. His mind was too busy, racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

One thing was certain: the world had changed, and so had the rules. And if they were going to survive, they would need to adapt—or die trying.