Refugere Mortem, Unus Annus

Chapter 3: November 19, 2020

     It had been nearly a week... Annus kept count. Thursday, and as though like a curse placed upon them, Unus and Annus were still stuck in the forest. It was mind boggling to them. They'd been going in the right direction back where they first came in... right? They'd been so sure of it, walking with the idea that they'd see buildings by dark and yet... Nothing looked the same anymore. Trees much larger than before, rivers and stone they don't even recall seeing on their way in, a larger abundance in the wildlife and plantations. It was so strange and neither knew what to do.

     So they kept moving, every day till the night, their suit jackets ditched from their shoulders and wrapped round their waists to hopefully keep the perspiration from building up. They had bathed themselves in a river twice now and had urinated behind bushes more times than they kept count.  Dehydration was beginning to become an evident problem, as well as the lack of safe foods to ingest. The berries were scarce and hunting animals was out of the question with lack of materials and such low stamina. 

     Now, Thursday, November 19, 2020, Unus and Annus had been walking for hours without rest, and were no closer to finding human civilization. It was clear on their sweat covered bodies, tired eyes, and dry mouths that they were fighting the clock here and needed to get out of this forest pronto. 

     "Annus. Wh-what are we going to do?" Unus whined, tired, hungry and frightened. 

     He feared at this rate, they would die in these forests alone, without a soul to know what they'd gone through stuck here for several days and nights.

     "How have we become so lost? The both of us followed the same path back but... I have no idea where we even are now! W-we'll become bear food. ...no, I refuse such a fate. Annus, if we encounter a bear, we fight it to the death!" Unus pumped his fist up half heartedly, regretting the action.

     Annus spoke very little during these days while Unus took over for the both of them with how much he spoke, the two using different means to cope with their circumstances. It seemed Unus was on the verge of a mental breakdown at this point, muttering to himself and even letting little pitiful chuckles out. It was getting dark. It seemed a good a time as any to stop and rest.

     "If you see a bear, Unus, I implore you not to engage it and find cover," Annus sighed, finally answering him.

     "Come now. We'll rest here for tonight," Annus suggested, sitting at the base of a large tree, the dead phone still in his pocket.

     Unus sat down right beside him and groaned. Annus was once again lost in his own thoughts, trying to think of a plan on what to do tomorrow when he heard Unus sniffle beside him. 

     "Annus... I don't want to die here... not like this. W-we've had much better deaths, haven't we, heh," Unus rasped.

     Annus' hearted twisted in the cage of his ribs at how pitiful his brother looked. The skip had left his step and it seemed twisted. This forest had been getting to the both of them.

     He caressed the younger's cheek and promised, "We'll find a way out of here, alive. We'll be alright, Unus. I promise."

     Unus rasped once more, "Annus... if I die-"

     "No! ...you won't die, Unus. We're going to be fine. Just a little longer and we'll make it out of this place. No one is dying," Annus pressed.

     The water wasn't always safe to drink, even if they found some, and neither was the food. They were both rather malnourished from this horrendously trying week and Annus had to admit, despite them both going through the very same situation, Unus didn't look so well. He was clearly exhausted, as the both of them had been hiking through the rough terrain for a week with little rest till the darkness of night. Annus had been pushing Unus to keep going even when their legs were on the verge of giving up. He was always certain, just beyond the line of trees his eyes could see, was the end... was freedom. And each time, he was mistaken. Each time, a little more hope left Unus' eyes. Each time, a little more fear entered Annus' heart.

     "Please, Unus," Annus embraced him and kept him warm against the harsh cold of the night. "Just a little more."

     Unus half heartedly nodded and slithered his tired arms onto Annus' back, falling asleep.

     Annus wished and begged whomever was listening to his internal pleas, that they'd find a home. 

     That Unus would be okay. 

     That they'd get out of this damned forest alive.

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     Author's Note: Chapter 3 done! Wowie it's getting serious, haha! But any who, if you have any questions, comments, critiques, and more, leave a comment! I always love seeing em, and as always, have a lovely day!