After they had finished their meager meal of canned peaches, Ethan knew that the next critical task was to find a source of clean water. The rumbling in his stomach and the dryness in his throat reminded him that their survival hinged on securing this essential resource.
Ethan hesitated for a moment. Leaving Sophia alone in their newfound sanctuary was a risk he wasn't willing to take, but they had no other choice.
With a quick glance at the map he had found in the leaders hut, Ethan felt a pang of frustration. He had no idea where they were, rendering the map useless for navigation. He realized he couldn't rely on it.
Ethan decided to explore the area around the cabin, hoping to stumble upon a water source or signs of civilization. He needed something to protect himself in case he stumbles upon another community nearby, the fact that the cabin was abandoned and untouched for a long time, worried him,
He had dropped the sword back in the cannibal's community when they had surrounded him, and only carried the backpack that he picked up from their leader's hut.
Ethan took a moment to check the content of the backpack again which caught the attention of Sophia.
She asked " what happened? what's there??" she had been curious while they walked away from the camp and wondered what the leader could had stashed in there.
The though of the leader's grin as he and his friends ate everyone she knew, and it brough back the harsh reality of this world to her mind. She though that they would be safe from the city, and the forest would be a better safe haven for them, but they were wrong. She pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. Survive.
Ethan emptied the backpack contents and out came basic first-aid materials, like bandages, antiseptic, and painkillers, which could be essential for treating injuries he thought.
There were also some gloves, shirts, pants, and a knife which surprised Ethan when it fell to the ground inside its sheath. He took out the knife and inspected it. This was no ordinary hunting knife, this was a military-grade knife, with its edge razor sharp and in the tip, he noticed some sort of glass, but he did not know what it was.
he gave a pair of gloves to Sophia, and the clothes. He needed to have her protect herself while he was out so he decided to look for a weapon, hoping luck was still on his side. And it was.
Ethan's eyes scanned the rustic interior of the cabin, searching for any sign of a weapon. It was then that he noticed an old wooden box tucked away under one of the broken chairs. With cautious curiosity, he opened the box, revealing a well-preserved hunting knife.
The discovery brought a glimmer of hope to Ethan. It wasn't a sword, but the knife would still serve as a valuable tool and a means of self-defense. It felt sturdy and well-maintained, a silent testament to its former owner's craftsmanship.
He tucked the strange military knife sheath securely into his belt, ensuring easy access in case he needed it. and handed the hunting knife to Sophia, who looked at it with fear. She remembers everything that was done to her friends with these tools.
Ethan gently turned to Sophia; his eyes filled with concern. "Sophia, I think it would be best if you rested here in the cabin for a while," he said, his voice reassuring. "You need to regain your strength, and it's safer in here. I'm going to search for water, and if you feel up to it, you can look around the cabin to see if you find anything useful while I'm out. Sound good?"
Sophia nodded weakly, offering a faint smile. "I'll do my best, Ethan. Just be careful out there, okay?"
Ethan realized that their chances of survival in this harsh world were gradually improving. With the knife at his side, he felt more prepared to face the unknown. He knew that finding water was the next crucial step, but for now, he would focus on securing the cabin and ensuring their safety before embarking on the perilous journey ahead.
Ethan knew he needed to find a container for carrying water from a potential source back to the cabin. So, he began a thorough search, checking both inside and behind the cabin, hoping to come across anything that could serve as a makeshift container for water. As he explored, he kept his eyes open for any sign of a suitable vessel, his heart racing with anticipation as he rummaged through forgotten belongings left in the cabin.
Ethan had explored the cabin thoroughly but found no suitable container for water. His search had led him to the kitchen, and under the sink, he stumbled upon a few water bottles. Hopeful but cautious, he opened the cabinet doors, only to discover that they were empty, devoid of the precious liquid he so desperately sought.
He sighed in disappointment but didn't give up. He grabbed the water bottles and tucked them into his backpack, hoping that he would find a water source during his search. He also took some bandages from the first-aid kit and placed them in his backpack again, just in case.
Exiting the cabin, he turned to Sophia and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be back soon, Sophia. You rest and stay alert. I'll find us some water." With those words, he ventured out into the unknown.
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows through the dense forest. Ethan took out his useless map, unable to make heads or tails of it. As he considered his options, he noticed a series of pipes leading into the cabin. Perhaps they would lead him to a water source, he thought. He decided to follow them.
Making his way through the thick vegetation, he trod carefully, keeping an eye out for any signs of danger. The silence of the woods was eerie, interrupted only by the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds. Ethan remained vigilant as he followed the pipes, his hand resting on the hilt of his newfound knife.
After a while, he began to notice the pipes branching off in different directions, complicating his task. He continued to follow the main pipe, hoping it would lead to a water source rather than away from it. His mind was filled with thoughts of Sophia and their dire situation, motivating him to press forward.
Ethan pressed on, the pipes now leading him deeper into the forest. The terrain was rough, and he had to navigate through uneven ground and thick underbrush. His thirst was growing, and he knew that time was of the essence.
As he followed the pipes, he couldn't help but wonder about the people who had once used this cabin. Who were they, and what had brought them here? His mind raced with questions and uncertainty about their fate.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting an orange and pink glow through the trees. Ethan continued his journey, praying that he would find water soon and return to Sophia with the sustenance they so desperately needed. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, but he couldn't afford to give in to despair. He had to find water, not only for himself but to save the life of the fragile young woman waiting back at the abandoned cabin.