DeadZone

Chapter Three: Long Road Ahead

The blinding light of the sun shines through the transparent tarp that laid above their tent. As the light slipped through the cracks of Kent's eyelids, he awoke. He made a sound that sounded like a mix between a yawn and a groan. Outside of the tent, he could hear fire crackling. He slowly stood up off of the ground, his body was aching all over. He slowly walked outside, once he stepped out of the tent, he did a large stretch. Outside, he saw Kathleen. She was sitting down next to the fire pit. There was a fire burning within it. She was holding a stick with to strips of meat on them.

"Breakfast?" Asked Kathleen.

"Depends. What are you cooking?" Asked Kent.

"Squirrel." Replied Kathleen.

"It's no bacon. But at least it's breakfast." Shrugged Kent.

"Yeah, at least it's breakfast." Replied Kathleen.

"Where did you get this anyways?" Asked Kent.

"I got up pretty early. I was bored, so I went hunting." Explained Kathleen.

"Knowing the skill of hunting is useful. Good job." Replied Kent.

"Thanks." Chuckled Kathleen.

"Anyways, they should be done soon." Said Kathleen.

"Alright. I'm going to take a look at the map. We have a long road ahead, so it would be good to know what to expect." Explained Kent.

"Good Idea." Replied Kathleen.

Kent walked back inside the tent, reached into his bag and pulled out the map. He then walked back outside and sat next to Kathleen.

"So, if we head north from this road, and if we're not interrupted by anything, we could make the trip today. The trading post in Petoskey, right?" Asked Kent.

"Yeah, that's it." Replied Kathleen.

"Alright. We should leave as soon as we finish eating. For now, I'll get ready to leave." Said Kent.

"Okay. I'll let you know when the foods ready." Replied Kathleen.

"Thanks." Said Kent.

Kathleen smiled in response. Kent then stuffed the map into his back pocket and walked inside the tent. He sorted out his bag and organized it. Once he was done, he did the same for Kathleen's bag, organized each pocket and pouch.

"Kent, it's ready!" Exclaimed Kathleen.

Kent walked back outside, and sat down next to her.

"That was quick." Said Kent.

"Yeah, I think I should've mentioned that they were going to be ready shortly." Said Kathleen.

"It's alright. I organized our bags though, so that it's easier to carry more things inside of them." Mentioned Kent.

"Thanks." Replied Kathleen.

"No worries." Said Kent.

Kathleen took the two pieces of meat off the stick, and handed Kent one of them. The both of them started to eat quickly, as they needed to get going soon. Kathleen had finished before Kent, so she stood up, walked into the tent to grab her bag, and came back outside.

"I can bring the sleeping bags with us." Suggested Kent.

"Great." Replied Kathleen.

Kent had now finished eating. He walked inside the tent and rolled up both of the sleeping bags, he stuffed both of them into his bag. Kent then slung the rifle over his shoulder, and walked outside to meet Kathleen.