Walker of the Woods

Chapter 6: The shelter in the forest

The group had found a brief respite in the clearing, resting their weary bodies under the watchful eye of Gavin, who kept vigil over them as they slept fitfully. The morning sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled light on their faces, a temporary calm amidst the chaos of their predicament.

As they stirred awake, their minds groggy with fatigue and their bodies stiff from uneasy sleep, a sudden voice shattered the peaceful morning.

"Not so fast," a deep voice rumbled from the edge of the clearing.

Startled, Gavin reached for his gun, his heart racing with adrenaline. Emerging from the shadows was a rugged man with weathered features and piercing eyes—a stark contrast to the wilderness that surrounded them. He wore a tattered camouflage jacket and carried a worn backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Who are you?" Gavin demanded, his voice tense with caution.

The man stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Name's Frank," he replied gruffly, his gaze sweeping over the group with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

Gavin eyed him warily, his grip tightening on his gun. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice edged with suspicion.

Frank raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not here to cause trouble," he assured them, his voice rough but sincere. "I've been watching you—a group of city folk stumbling through the woods like lost puppies."

Lucy stepped forward, her brow furrowed with concern. "Do you live out here?" she asked, her voice cautious but curious.

Frank nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Gavin's gun. "My people and I, we've made a home here," he explained cryptically. "This forest is dangerous—more than you know."

Antonio glanced around nervously, his hand hovering near his knife. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with unease.

Frank's gaze hardened, his jaw clenched with determination. "There are things out here," he began, his voice low but urgent. "Things you wouldn't believe. My people and I, we've learned to survive—to stay hidden."

Anthony stepped forward, his expression serious. "We need help," he stated bluntly, his voice tinged with desperation. "We're trying to get out of here—find a way back to civilization."

Frank studied them for a long moment, weighing their words with a silent intensity. Finally, he nodded curtly. "Follow me," he said gruffly, turning on his heel and striding back into the forest without waiting for a reply.

Gavin exchanged a wary glance with the others before motioning for them to follow. They trailed after Frank cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush as they ventured deeper into the heart of the forest.

After what felt like an eternity of winding paths and hidden trails, they arrived at a clearing unlike any they had seen before. Nestled within the trees was a dilapidated building, its walls covered in ivy and its windows cracked with age.

"This is our home," Frank announced gruffly, gesturing towards the building with a sense of pride. "Welcome to the shelter."

The group exchanged uncertain glances, their eyes sweeping over the abandoned laboratory with a mix of awe and apprehension. The air around them seemed charged with a strange energy, the building whispering secrets of its own.

They went out back where the main village was it was a small and quaint little village with 10 houses, a store of some kind and a couple of libraries it seemed. Frank led them through the town until they reached a house that was bigger than the rest where a woman awaited them.

"This is Marianne," Frank introduced, his voice softer than before. "My wife."

Marianne smiled warmly at them, her eyes kind but watchful. "Welcome," she greeted softly, her voice carrying a hint of weariness. "You must be tired and hungry. Please, sit."

They gathered around a makeshift table, the air thick with tension despite Marianne's gentle demeanor. Frank and Marianne served them a simple meal of canned beans and bread, their movements efficient and practiced.

As they ate, conversation flowed tentatively among them. Gavin kept a wary eye on Frank and Marianne, his mind racing with unanswered questions and the lingering doubt of their intentions.

"You said there are dangers out here," Yoslyn ventured cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper. "What did you mean?"

Frank glanced at Marianne, a flicker of hesitation crossing his rugged features before he spoke. "There are creatures," he began slowly, his voice tinged with unease. "Things that shouldn't exist. They hunt in the darkness, feeding on anything they can find."

Richard scoffed dismissively, his bravado masking his fear. "You expect us to believe that?" he challenged, his voice sharp with skepticism.

Frank's gaze hardened, his jaw tightening with resolve. "Believe what you want," he replied bluntly, his tone brooking no argument. "But you've seen it with your own eyes—heard the roars in the night."

Gavin's thoughts drifted to Jacob, his friend lost to the horrors of the forest. "What about Jacob?" he asked quietly, his voice tinged with grief. "We left him behind."

Frank's expression softened slightly, sympathy flickering in his eyes. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said solemnly, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken understanding. "But you did what you had to do to survive."

Gavin nodded numbly, the weight of guilt heavy on his shoulders. "We need to find a way out of here," he stated firmly, his voice steadying with resolve. "We can't stay."

Antonio glanced around the room, his eyes flickering over the dusty shelves and faded posters that lined the walls. "Do you have a way to contact the outside world?" he asked, his voice practical.

Frank hesitated for a moment, exchanging a meaningful glance with Marianne. Without a word, he passed his cellular phone to Marianne under the table, a subtle gesture that went unnoticed by the group.

"We have no cell reception out here," Frank admitted reluctantly, his gaze flickering between them. "But we can help you find a way."

As they finished their meal, a sense of weariness settled over the group. Marianne cleared away the empty plates with quiet efficiency, her movements graceful despite the weight of their situation.

Gavin glanced at Yoslyn, concern etched in his features. "We need to rest," he urged quietly, his voice filled with fatigue. "We'll figure out our next move in the morning."

With a collective nod, they settled in makeshift beds scattered around the central room, their bodies weary but their minds restless with the uncertainty of their situation.

As darkness fell outside the shelter, the forest whispered secrets that echoed through the night. Gavin lay awake, his thoughts drifting to Jacob and the horrors they had faced together. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were still being watched, that unseen eyes were tracking their every move.

The night passed slowly, the shelter filled with the uneasy silence of restless sleep. Gavin kept watch, his senses alert for any sign of danger as the hours slipped by like shadows on the wall.

In the dim light of early morning, Gavin roused the group from their fitful slumber. They gathered around the central room, their faces drawn with weariness but their resolve unwavering.

"We need to find a way out of here," Gavin stated firmly, his voice cutting through the quiet of the morning. "Frank, Marianne—how can you help us?"

Frank exchanged a glance with Marianne, his expression grave. "There's a path," he began slowly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But it's dangerous."

Antonio stepped forward, his gaze steady. "We don't have a choice," he stated bluntly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We need to leave this place."

Frank nodded solemnly, his jaw tightening with resolveination.

"We're going to make it through this," Gavin  assured Yoslyn quietly, his voice steady with conviction.

Yoslyn nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Together," she echoed softly, her voice filled with gratitude.

They sat in silence, their thoughts turning to the friends they had lost and the dangers that still lurked in the forest.

"We're gonna go outside for a bit." Said Anthony. "Come on guys let's go"

The entire group exited Franks house and into the front yard.