3rd person:
It had been several weeks since Zero and Stanley had escaped from Camp Green Lake. The two boys were now trekking through the hot, dry desert, hoping to find a way back to civilization. Zero, who had never been outside of the camp before, was struggling to keep up with Stanley's pace. His legs ached and his feet were sore, but he refused to complain.
Stanley had taken Zero under his wing since they had first met at the camp. He had noticed that Zero was different from the other boys, quieter and more reserved. Stanley had taken it upon himself to show Zero the ropes, teaching him how to dig, how to survive in the harsh desert environment, and offering him protection from the other boys.
Now, as they walked across the endless expanse of sand, Stanley couldn't help but feel responsible for Zero. He had promised him a better life, a life without digging holes for hours on end, and he was determined to keep that promise.
"Are you okay, Zero?" Stanley asked, turning to his friend.
Zero nodded, though the beads of sweat on his forehead suggested otherwise.
"You don't have to act tough, you know," Stanley said, giving him a reassuring smile. "We're in this together."
Zero nodded again, still unsure of what to say.
As they continued to walk, the sun beating down on them mercilessly, Stanley couldn't help but think back to the day they had escaped from the camp. It had been a risky move, but it was their only chance at freedom.
Flashback:
Stanley and Zero had been digging holes in the blazing sun when a storm suddenly rolled in. Thunder boomed overhead and lightning struck dangerously close to the boys. Suddenly, they heard a loud cracking sound, and before they knew it, a hole had opened up beneath them. They fell through the hole and landed in a dark, damp cave.
Stanley's first thought was that they were in trouble. They were lost, and they had no idea where they were or how to get out. But then he noticed something peculiar - the walls of the cave were covered in hieroglyphics.
Zero, who had been lagging behind, finally caught up with Stanley. Together, they examined the walls of the cave, trying to decipher the strange markings.
"Look, there's a map," Stanley said, pointing at a particularly elaborate section of the wall.
The two boys made their way through the labyrinthine cave, following the map etched into the walls. It was a treacherous trek, with steep drops and narrow passages, but they persisted.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they emerged from the cave into the bright sunlight. They found themselves in the middle of a vast, sprawling desert. At first, they were confused and disoriented. But as they began to walk, they realized that they were free.
End of flashback.
"Stanley," Zero said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Yeah?" Stanley replied.
"Thank you."
Stanley smiled. "For what?"
"For getting me out of there," Zero said, his voice soft but earnest. "For being my friend."
Stanley placed a hand on Zero's shoulder. "Of course, Zero. You're my friend too. And I'm never going to let anything bad happen to you again."
They walked on in silence, the miles stretching out before them. The sun began to set, and the air grew cooler. Finally, they came upon a highway.
"We did it," Stanley said, grinning from ear to ear.
"We made it," Zero replied, a smile of his own spreading across his face.
They stuck out their thumbs and waited for a passing car to stop. After a few false alarms, a pickup truck pulled over to the side of the road.
"Where are you boys headed?" the driver asked.
"Anywhere," Stanley said, climbing into the truck bed. "Just as long as it's not Camp Green Lake."
The driver chuckled. "I hear that. Hop in."
As they rode away, Stanley and Zero looked back at the desert stretching out behind them. It was a treacherous place, full of danger and uncertainty. But they had made it out alive - together. And that was all that mattered.
