Survive

Thirteen

It oddly took Ashton and Luke a much longer time to return to camp. Which was confusing because they could have sworn they were taking the same path as before.

With Ashton leading, Luke held onto the back of his shirt lightly, trying not to tug or slow down the shorter boy. Even though Ashton was speaking, Luke was completely ignoring him.

He kept glancing behind them, seeing the flash of grey darting back and forth across the path . It would appear for a second but be gone before Luke could register what it truly looked like. But it was finally clear that most definitely had a canine like figure.

Ashton suddenly stopped walking, causing Luke to bump into him. "Luke? You hear that?" He said lowly.

The rustling of leafs came from ahead of them.  More rustljng came beside them and soon behind them. They were surrounded by whatever it was.

"Hey! Hey go away!" Ashton roared throwing his arms up in the air, trying to sound and look threatening. The noises suddenly stopped. The sound of the jungle was quiet, drawing out an eerie silence.

"Why did everything get quiet ..?" Ashton nervously asked. Luke shrugged and stepped closer to Ashton, looking around as quickly as possible, hoping to catch sight of whatever was out there before it could approach them.

Ashton wrapped an arm around Luke, pulling him protectingly closer. Their bodies brushed together, both trying to hide the fact they were scared.

They stood in silence for about few minutes but to them it felt like a long time. It didn't take long for  the beautiful chattering of thr birds to fill the jungle again. It was followed by the happy hooting and hollering of monkeys which seemed to be dancing among the tree tops all around them.

Ashtons grip on Luke loosened as both boys sighed with relief. "That was strange as shit.."

Luke giggled quietly, pressing his face into the curve of Ashtons neck. "Silly ash, shit is not strange." His words were slightly muffled from his lips brushing across the shorter boys skin.

Ashton playfully shoved Luke off with a roll of his hazel eyes. "Don't sass me, Luke. Come on.. We need to get back to cal and Mike."

Ashton turned his back to Luke and took a step forward to continue along the path they were just on, he paused with a small smile.

He causally reached behind him and took Luke's free hand, lacing their fingers together before he contiuned walking again.

Luke's small frown turned into a smile when Ashton took his hand. He felt his heart fluttering with excitement as he happily followed Ashtons lead, gripping tightly onto the larger hand.

Quietly squealing to himself , Luke hugged the fishing net and wire to himself as if it was a doll. He felt like a school girl finally getting noticed by her senpai.

By the time Ashton and Luke returned to the camp most of the day was gone. Because of that, Ashtons mood suddenly became grumpy.

When they stomped out of the forest they walked up on an odd scene. Michael was laying on his side with eyes closed, he seemed asleep but his body was trembling.

His head was laying on calums lap, an arm wrapped around one of the other boys legs. His own legs were tucked to his chest.

Calums legs were sprawled out before himself, he was leaning back with one arm pressing it's hand into the ground behind him. His gaze was casted up at the Rock ceiling that towered over him. His other hand was slowly combing its fingers through Michael's damp hair, trying to soothe the boy.