THE LAST OF US Part 3 Fanfic (EN)

4. Dark Forest

The night was thick, few clouds hovered in the dim moonlight. The clustered stars indicated the direction to go through the darkness of the forest. The treetops were high and the branches well leafed, making it difficult to see the sky. Three small fires glowed in the dark, surrounded by seated soldiers roasting pieces of a deer. Near one of the fires, Lev and Stiven were talking.

"And why three fires instead of one?" Steve asked.

"We are 25 people, a fire to fit that many would be huge. It would get a lot of attention."

"Smart brat, you."

"That's how we avoided the Wolves even when we were in large groups."

"These Seraphites really knew their way around the forest, didn't they?"

"Our Prophet said we should let go of the ancient world. I grew up using only things nature gives us," he said as he twirled a large piece of ham stuck above the fire.

"Is that why you prefer the bow over weapons?"

"Not just for that. Guns are noisy, show my location. I'm not very strong in hand-to-hand combat."

"For now, boy," Stiven took one of Lev's arms. "Soon, these arms will be as big as Abby's. I'm sorry for whoever gets in your way haha."

Two silhouettes were approaching the fire. A large one, carrying a piece of wood on her shoulders with two gallons of water on ropes; and another smaller one, with another gallon in her arms. Closer by, Stiven and Lev recognized Abby and Bianca. Abby twisted her wet hair like she wasn't carrying 100 pounds on her back.

"She's a show-off, see?" Stiven teased. "Why did it take so long?"

"We were taking a bath in the river" said Bianca putting her gallon on the floor. She wore blue sweatpants, a gray tank top and a blouse tied around her waist. Her black Chanel hair still a little wet.

"Some of us still cherish personal hygiene." Abby became sarcastic.

"If you had at least invited us, we'd all be fragrant and wet by now." Stiven winked at Abby, but she just stuck out her middle finger and started pulling the wood off her shoulder.

"Oh my! Is this the ham of the deer you hunted this afternoon, Lev?" Bianca was salivating, staring at the advantageous piece of meat.

"Yeah, yeah. They're roasting the ribs in the next fire" the boy replied unimpressed.

"You really are amazing. We hadn't had a decent meal for weeks. Then you go and hunt a deer so big it's enough for the whole squad!" Bianca hugged Lev, then sat down beside him and started to pick food for herself.

"Doesn't fill his ego much. Then I have to listen to him bragging." She took the last gallon off her back with a sigh.

"I don't brag!"

"Don't mind her, Lev. She's just like that because she's been unable to hunt anything for three days." Stiven chuckled out of the corner of his mouth. Abby frowned and threw one of the gallons at him, knocking him off the log he was sitting on.

"At least I can handle a gallon," she snapped. Lev and Bianca burst out laughing. A strange noise mingled with the laughter.

"Wait!" Lev ordered, his gaze squinted into the middle of the forest. "I heard something!"

"It must be just the wind" Stiven said with difficulty as he rose from the fall.

"I know wind noise!" He replied with concentration.

"Relax, Lev, we haven't found any infected for two days. You did the rounds yourself this morning." Abby sat up and picked up a piece of meat. Lev didn't answer, just kept staring into space. He jerked his head back and drew his bow and arrow, aiming at a bush.