What if?

Chapter 8

The dawn broke with a soft light filtering through the broken windows of the warehouse, casting a pale glow over the makeshift bed where Newt and Teresa lay. They stirred slowly, the weight of their mission pressing heavily upon them. Today would be another step in their arduous journey, another day of uncertainty and struggle.

Newt was the first to rise, stretching his stiff muscles and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He glanced at Teresa, who was already awake, staring up at the ceiling lost in thought.

"Ready to move?" he asked quietly, not wanting to startle her.

She nodded, sitting up and folding the blanket back into her pack. "Yeah. We should get going while it's still early. It'll be cooler, and we might cover more ground."

They gathered their things and left the warehouse, stepping into the harsh light of the desert city. The air was dry, and the silence around them was broken only by the distant sound of wind rustling through the ruins. As they walked, they kept their eyes peeled for any sign of danger or clues that might lead them to their destination.

The landscape was a blend of sand and crumbling concrete, the remnants of the city now overtaken by nature. Vines twisted around abandoned cars, stubbornly clinging to life.

"We need to head north," Teresa said, consulting the map.

Newt agreed, and they adjusted their course. The journey was tough, the heat of the sun beating down on them as they navigated through the debris and overgrown streets. They took turns scanning the horizon, looking for any sign of movement or life.

By midday, they reached a large, abandoned building that appeared to be an old factory. The structure was relatively intact, offering them a chance to rest and take shelter from the sun. They climbed through a broken window and found a spot in the shadowy interior to sit and share a meager meal from their dwindling supplies.

As they ate, they talked about their memories of their friends and the life they had left behind. The conversations were bittersweet, filled with both laughter and sorrow. It was a way to keep the spirits of their lost companions alive, to remind themselves of what they were fighting for.

"Do you think they'll recognize us?" Newt asked, taking a bite of his food.

Teresa smiled faintly. "They'll have to, won't they? I mean, we haven't changed that much."

Newt chuckled. "Maybe we've gotten a bit tougher."

"Definitely," Teresa agreed, her smile growing. "And we'll be tougher still by the time we find them."

After their break, they set out again, determined to reach the river before nightfall. The landscape changed subtly as they walked, the ruins becoming less dense and the sand giving way to patches of dry grass. They pushed on, the thought of fresh water and a new path forward driving them.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the land, they finally heard the faint sound of running water. It was a welcome relief, and they quickened their pace, soon arriving at the riverbank. The water was clear and cool, a stark contrast to the harsh desert they had been traversing.

They took a moment to drink and refill their bottles, the cold water revitalizing them. They decided to set up camp nearby, using the trees and underbrush for cover. As they settled in for the night, the sound of the river was a soothing lullaby, easing the tension of the day.

"We're getting closer," Teresa said softly as they lay down to sleep. "I can feel it."

Newt nodded, his eyes already heavy with exhaustion. "Yeah, we are. And we'll keep going, no matter what."

They fell asleep under the starry sky, the river's gentle murmur a promise of new hope and the possibility of a better tomorrow.

Okay so this chapter is a bit short but i didn't had many ideas for this one so yeah :) Still hope you enjoyed!

See you on the next chapter!

L'🥀