Darker Days

Chapter 7: Concrete Jungle

The next morning, as the first light filtered through the trees, Tommy woke up with renewed determination. His stomach was still growling from the meager meal the night before, but his focus was clear: they needed more food to sustain them for the days ahead. Frank was still stirring by the fire, and after exchanging a quiet nod with his dad, Tommy grabbed his pack and knife, ready to search the forest for something more substantial.

"Be careful," Frank said, his voice a little rough from sleep. "If you don't find much, don't worry—we'll figure something out. Just stay close."

"I will," Tommy assured him before slipping into the woods.

The early morning air was crisp and cool, and the forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves. As he moved through the trees, Tommy kept his eyes sharp, scanning for any signs of food—berries, mushrooms, or even small game. His survival instincts kicked in, and he found himself moving with purpose, knowing that every step mattered. They couldn't afford another day of going hungry.

After about an hour of searching, Tommy's luck turned. He stumbled upon a patch of wild berries, much larger than the one he had found the night before. He crouched down, inspecting them closely—these were definitely safe to eat. With a small smile of relief, he pulled out his bag and began collecting as many berries as he could, making sure to leave some behind so they could come back later if needed.

As he continued through the woods, Tommy's day got even better. A little further ahead, near a clearing, he spotted something moving—a small rabbit, darting through the underbrush. His heart raced. He had brought one of the traps he'd set up before, and after positioning it carefully near the rabbit's path, he waited. After what felt like an eternity but was probably only minutes, the rabbit moved closer, unaware of the trap. When it was finally caught, Tommy moved swiftly, retrieving it and packing it carefully into his bag. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give them a proper meal.

On his way back to camp, Tommy found a few more edible mushrooms and some nuts scattered under a tree. He packed them into the bag, feeling more confident now that they had enough food for at least a couple of days. The relief that washed over him was immense. This was more than they had hoped for, and it would give them the strength they needed to keep pushing forward.

When he returned to camp, Frank was waiting, having already packed up their makeshift shelter and readied their supplies for the day's journey. When he saw Tommy's bag, filled with food, his face broke into a rare smile.

"You did good, Tommy," Frank said, pride evident in his voice. "This will keep us going for a while."

Tommy smiled back, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I got lucky. Found some berries, mushrooms, and caught a rabbit. We'll eat well tonight."

Frank nodded, clearly relieved. "Let's get moving, then. We'll cook the rabbit when we stop for the night. For now, we push forward."

With the food packed, and the fire doused, they set off again, their pace steady and determined. The weight of hunger had been lifted for now, and that gave them the strength they needed to keep going.

The forest was dense, but they moved efficiently, sticking to the back roads and avoiding any signs of towns or other people. The landscape around them changed as they traveled—rolling hills, dense woods, and occasionally a glimpse of distant farmland. Every step took them further north, closer to the border, closer to the hope of safety.

As they walked, Tommy couldn't help but think about their journey. They had already survived so much, and while the road ahead was still uncertain, he felt more confident with each day that they could make it. With every mile they covered, they left behind the horrors of their old world and moved toward something new—something that might offer a future.