214

Why would you hope for that?" Vanessa said.

"You make a point," I said. "Ivan is stupid and injured. Eric is... Eric. Aki will have to carry that team."

"Whatever, those clowns can become tree fodder for all I care." Vanessa pushed a stick through the squirrels and put them next to the flames at last. I was getting pretty hungry. I sat up and took a stick from her hand, placing it to roast on my end.

"Well, let's look for a way out while searching for Aki," I said.

"Yup, we better get the fuck out of here," Vanessa sighed, and we tore into our meal.

***

Step after step, we continued walking in this god-forsaken forest. Two people lost in the middle of nowhere with no security of food or water can only talk so much. It was getting tiring now. I was glad that Vanessa was the one I was lost with. Anyone else would have been too much for me to handle.

As we went onward, we came across a comparatively open spot.