The truck rolled through the broken road, leaving the blood-stained clearing behind. It weaved between the towering trees and shrubs.
The uneven ground made the journey bumpy, but tolerable. Dappled sunlight streamed through the vast, green canopy, illuminating the dim forest floor.
The engine's low hum filled the space between Ashrik and the elderly lady, but neither of them spoke. She sat quietly beside her grandson's wrapped body, one hand resting on his shoulder as if he might wake up at any moment.
Ashrik glanced occasionally at the old grandmother through the rearview mirror. His eyes narrowed slightly, understanding that she was deep in grief. His own heart clenched at the thought of it.
One could easily lose his life in this era. Even the strongest might meet the same fate soon.
The forest slowly thinned, revealing the outside world. The sun had slanted closer to the horizon, dyeing the sky in pale gold. Moonrise should arrive soon.
