Gretel

4

The next day was not much warmer, nor was survival any easier. Fall had stripped much of the woods bare, leaving very little opportunity for any food. Lost and with no sense of direction, the two small children had no choice but to wander. They set off at first light the next morning, for neither of them wanted to stay in the cold dark wood any longer than they had to. 

Navigating the woods was difficult, especially at this time of year. Leaves and twigs awkwardly cushioned the path, making it difficult to tread. Both of the small little humans tripped or stumbled constantly, giving them tons of scratches and bruises to add to the experience. Despite the discomfort, both simply picked themselves up and kept moving. Gretel had cried the first few times this happened, but she had soon learned to put on a brave face. 

Given the dire situation they were in, it wasn't easy.

Things got worse as the day went on. The days of course were getting shorter, and this meant less light to travel by. By late afternoon, things had gotten so difficult, they were forced to stop and make camp. Both did their part, and soon with a campfire blazing, they had some relief from the elements. The orange flame was like a drop of water in a thousand years without rain for them. The warmth was so welcomed that both could almost forget their aching bellies. Could almost ignore their hunger, the endless gnawing sensation in their stomachs. 

"Do you think we are any closer to getting out of the woods, Hansel?" Gretel asked, her hands hovering over the fire in an attempt to warm her hands.

Hansel was exasperated. "You know I don't know any better than I do." Careful to mind his sister's fingers, he added another twig to the fire. 

"And you know I like speculating." she retorted evenly. "Besides, if we ever want to even have the hope of getting out of this place we ought to have some idea of where we're going."

"Sure, Gretel. Only we have no way of doing that, so talking about it isn't helpful." He pointed out matter of factly as he added more kindling.

"But how can we figure it out if we don't discuss it?"

He thought long and hard, his little jaw set in a harsh frown as he mulled it over. "I don't know." he conceded finally. "All I do know is that I don't like the look of your ankle." He looked down at the makeshift splint peaking out from the tattered shreds of her now ruined dress. "The sooner we get out of here, the better." 

"I agree. We should go to bed soon and get up at first light." Gretel shivered and hugged herself, wishing not for the first time that it was summer.  

Hansel nodded. "I'll get started on the lean-to." Without another word, he took their gathered branches, vines, and leaves together. Making short work of them, the shelter was up in minutes, the last day of so forcing him to perfect the process. That finished, he turned back to his sister "Do you want me to help you over to the shelter?"

"Yes please." 

Hansel carefully strode over to her side and Gretal lifted her arm so he could wrap an arm around her. Getting to her feet with help, Gretel hopped over to the structure. The wind brushed past them about halfway to the structure, makeing it shake ominously and despite her confidence in her brother's abilities, she worried it would not hold for the night. Looking to see his face, she could tell the thought had crossed his mind too. Her brother helped her into the structure and once settling himself, used the surrounding leaves to cover themselves and keep warm. Like the previous night it was pretty uncomfortable, but at least they would be warm. 

They repeated the same painful process for the next three days. 

It was the fifth day that the lack of food started to weaken them. Neither could wake themself and it wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that they were forced to conciousness by a loud racket. Gretel was the first to notice. It was a horrible, persistant, cawing noise. Normally this would have curdled the small girls blood, as everyone knows that Ravens and Crows are omens of death and decay. Yet in her weakened state all she could manage to do was groan. Her eyes fluttered her lashes flittering like little butterflies, but she was not awake enough to open them.