UTOPIA ✔

Chapter 2 - Walker

- 1 -

- 3 days later

Kenji's injury had put them still. Eric continued surveying the area. He always came back with very little supply and sometimes empty-handed. The crate's supply was almost gone. There was not enough food to last another day. Four days' worth food, a week worth water, first aid kit and a small Inflatable boat. Why an Inflatable boat is what everyone thought.

They decided to move to a different location and took everything left inside the crate. The further they walked, the deeper the forest got. All they could see were trees covering their vision. They took breaks every 30 minute or so for Charlotte to rest. With this pace they were hardly able to cover much land.

'Let's take a break here. Charlotte's at her limit' Eric said.

The heat never slowed down during the day and the nights were the complete opposite. Sometimes their mind played tricks on them. Maybe they were still lost from inside not knowing whether they'll live to see another day. Seems farfetched however for them it was true.

Charlotte sat with her back relaxed on the tree trunk. Eric sat next to her handing her the water bottle. 'Thank you' she sighed in exhaustion.

She took a deep breath and drank almost half the bottle. Her expression worried Eric. Even though she smiled towards him, there was something else that she was thinking about.

'Don't be so harsh on yourself' Eric Said.

'About what?'

'Whatever that's making you make that expression' Eric said. Charlotte wanted to say something but she stopped. 'It's all right to feel sad. When you're sad, you should experience that sorrowfully. It's not too late to move on after that' Eric blurted out.

'What..?'

'I'm sorry to blurt out like that' Eric apologized. 'But I've been looking back for a long time now and those memories still haunt me and scare me. The scars are still fresh but if I don't move on now, then there is no reason for me to move on ever. And, it's good to share some things with someone' Eric recounted.

'Yeah. Thank you...' she smiled.

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The sun was about to set. The little light that was piercing through the gaps was slowly diminishing and darkness was taking over. The cold wind was picking up, making the branches brush against each other; creating a rustling sound. They called it a day.

'Sorry Charlotte, but can I borrow Eric for a sec?' Kenji asked and Charlotte nodded a yes. Ishita stood up and sat beside Charlotte.

Kenji and Eric covered certain distance without talking. They collected dry wood for campfire to last all night and leaves to create a soft surface for everyone to sleep. They had their last remaining meal and sat beside the camp fire.

Nights are always calmer than day and the only soothing thing was the moonlight piercing the darkness. It was eerie and silent; the crackling sound of the burning woods echoed in the air. It made them calm.

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'Are you married Kenji?' Charlotte asked.

'No, I'm not' Kenji replied without hesitation.

'Then anyone you love?' she asked again with a bit of curiosity.

'I had a fiancé' Kenji answered.

'Had?!'

'She passed away' Kenji looked down and then at Charlotte.

'I'm sorry. I shouldn't had-'

'That's okay' Kenji said. 'Her name was Naomi. She is still with me' he put his hand on his chest, 'Right here' he said and looked back at Charlotte. 'I don't see a ring on your finger. Aren't you married?' Kenji asked.