As they walked deeper into the forest, Laura noticed how eerily quiet everything had become.
"Al… Do you really think we'll find food out here?" she asked in a small voice.
"We have to," Alvaro replied firmly. "And this time, no compromises."
Laura could only nod, silently promising herself not to cause any more problems. She knew that despite Alvaro's harsh attitude and annoying remarks, he was doing everything he could to keep them both alive.
***
When they got close enough, Alvaro raised his makeshift spear and hurled it swiftly.
The spear sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, and—
"Gotcha!" Alvaro exclaimed as the weapon hit its target dead-on.
Laura gave a small jump, barely believing it. "You actually did it! I didn't think you would!"
Alvaro walked over to the motionless rabbit, pulled the spear free, and returned to Laura. "You underestimated me," he said with a faint smirk.
Laura stared at the rabbit with a mix of awe and horror. "So... we're really going to eat this?"
"If not, what do you want to eat? Leaves?" Alvaro wiped the blood off his spear. "I'll start prepping a spot to cook it. You gather some firewood."
Laura sighed deeply. "Fine. But if I get bitten by a bug or something, I'm blaming you."
"At least it's not a tiger or a snake," Alvaro replied, making Laura scowl at him.
"Are we going to eat and sleep here?" she asked.
"No. It's not safe here. I heard a stream nearby. We'll set up closer to it, somewhere hidden enough to stay overnight," he explained. "Besides, we need water."
Laura nodded, though anxiety still lingered. "Okay, I'll look for firewood. But don't go too far, okay? I'm scared we'll get separated."
Alvaro gave a brief nod, eyes scanning their surroundings. "Stay close. Don't let your guard down."
Laura went off to gather firewood, her heart pounding slightly with unease. She picked up small branches and thicker sticks, trying to keep her mind focused. The sounds of nature surrounded her wind rustling through leaves and the soft murmur of water in the distance.
When she returned with her arms full of wood, she found Alvaro setting up a place to cook the rabbit. The fire was already crackling.
"Are you sure you can cook it like that?" she asked, a bit unsure.
"When you don't have a choice, you improvise," Alvaro answered, his voice steady and practical.
"Let's hope it's enough," Laura murmured, placing the wood around the fire to keep the flames strong.
"I hear the stream. I'm going to wash my face and drink," Laura said, rising from where she'd been sitting.
"Wait—" Alvaro grabbed her arm.
Laura looked at him, confused. "What is it?"
"Be careful. Look around. We don't know what's out there, or what might be watching us," he warned.
For a moment, their eyes locked.
"Okay," Laura replied quickly, turning her face away.
She walked slowly toward the sound of rushing water. The stream's murmur grew louder with each step. She moved carefully, watching for anything unusual around her. Alvaro's warning echoed in her mind.
At the edge of the stream, Laura crouched down and dipped her hands into the water. The cold touch was refreshing after the long, hot walk. She washed her face gently, letting the flowing water rinse away her exhaustion.
Suddenly, a rustling noise came from the nearby bushes. She froze, her eyes searching for the source. Her heartbeat spiked, dark thoughts creeping in.
"Laura, come back... now," Alvaro's voice called out firmly, not too loud but full of urgency. She turned toward him. He stood with his spear raised, eyes locked on the bushes.
Laura stood quickly. But before she could move, the sound came again, closer this time. From the shrubs, a large snake slithered out, its shiny body moving fast toward her.
"Alvaro!" Laura screamed in panic.
Alvaro rushed toward her. "Don't move!" he yelled. "Stay still!"
Laura froze, her body trembling as the snake hissed, its sharp eyes locked onto her.
With a swift and precise motion, Alvaro hurled his spear. It pierced the snake's body perfectly. The creature writhed violently before falling limp.
Laura almost collapsed from relief. "You saved me… again," she whispered shakily.
Alvaro exhaled deeply and stepped closer to ensure the snake was dead. "Do I need to remind you again to stay alert?" He said, half-annoyed, though his eyes held concern.
"I didn't think… I just wanted to wash my face," Laura muttered, ashamed.
Alvaro retrieved his bloodied spear and looked at her seriously. "Out here, one small mistake could cost your life. Don't let your guard down again."
"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful," she whispered, her eyes full of guilt and admiration.
"Good. Now let's head back before something else shows up," he said, walking ahead of her.
"You're just going to leave the snake there?" Laura asked hesitantly. "I mean… should we try to eat it instead?"
Alvaro looked over his shoulder with a raised brow. "Have you ever eaten snake before?"
"Well… no," Laura admitted.
"Then leave it. Let the river take it. The rabbit's enough," he replied, and Laura nodded in agreement.
***
They sat around the fire as the rabbit slowly roasted on a makeshift spit.
Soon, the smell of roasted meat filled the air, and Laura's stomach growled.
"This already smells better than the snacks we've been living on," Laura said with a small smile, trying to ease the lingering tension.
Alvaro glanced at her and nodded. "At least we'll eat well tonight."
Even though the food helped a little, Laura knew the danger was far from over. They were still in the middle of a forest filled with threats. But for that night, at least, they could feel a bit safe and full.
As the night deepened, the fire's warmth and glow brought a sense of calm. Laura held a piece of cooked rabbit in her hand, blowing on it before taking a bite.
"Hmm, not bad," she said while chewing. "I didn't expect you to be this good at cooking meat."
Alvaro, watching the fire quietly, shrugged. "When you're forced to survive, you learn a lot. Even how to cook in the wild."
Laura looked at him curiously. "You seem like someone who's used to tough situations. Have you ever been stuck like this before?"
"Not exactly like this," Alvaro replied, his tone flat. "But life teaches you how to survive even when you don't get a choice."
Laura didn't press further. Something in his voice told her he didn't want to talk about it. She turned back to her food and focused on each bite.
When they finished eating, Alvaro added more wood to the fire. "We'll take turns keeping watch tonight. Who knows what could come while we're asleep?"
Laura nodded, though the thought made her nervous. "I'll take first watch. You've done more than enough today; you should rest."
Alvaro looked at her for a moment before nodding. "Good. Glad you're being reasonable. But if you get tired or hear anything strange, wake me up. Don't try to handle it alone."
Laura smiled weakly. "I'm not you, Alvaro. I know my limits."
She sat near the fire, hugging her knees and watching the flames flicker. Alvaro lay down close by, still alert despite trying to rest. The sounds of crickets and the river became their lullaby, a quiet reminder that they were still far from home.
Laura reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled photo—wet, torn, but still showing the faces clearly.
Her expression softened. She gently brushed her fingers over the image. "I hope you're okay… I hope you're looking for me."
Alvaro, half-asleep, stirred. Her quiet voice had carried in the silence.
"What are you talking about?" he mumbled groggily, making Laura jump. She quickly tucked the photo back into her pocket.
"Nothing," she replied quickly, lowering her gaze.
Alvaro slowly sat up, leaning against a tree, eyeing her suspiciously. "You're a terrible liar, Laura. Was that someone important to you?"
She hesitated, debating whether to share or stay silent. After a pause, she sighed. "It's my family. I don't know if they even know I'm alive. It hurts, thinking they might believe I'm… gone."
Alvaro's gaze softened. "I'm sure they haven't given up. They probably believe you're still out here, just like you're still fighting."
Laura shrugged, her smile tinged with sadness. "Maybe. Sometimes it feels like hope is slipping away… just like I'm losing faith that we'll ever get out of here."
Alvaro looked at her seriously. "As long as we're breathing, there's always hope. That's not just a saying. Surviving means believing you have a reason to keep going."
She looked at him, a small spark returning to her eyes. "You're right. But… if we don't make it, I just want them to know I tried. I want them to know I missed them."
"They'll know," Alvaro said softly. "But first, we have to make sure we get out of here. That's our job now."
Laura turned her eyes back to the fire, feeling a bit more at peace. Even though the forest was still dark and dangerous, something inside her felt stronger.
Somehow, Alvaro gave her the hope she thought she'd lost.
***