Shaggy and the Forest

Chapter 7. The Journey

(Reader's pov)

  The next morning Shaggy informs the girls they leave soon to get their things together and meet him at the lake. Having gathered his stuff last night he gets his bag and heads off for the lake, Alexandria is so excited she can't stop dancing around which annoys Alixia, who is still not too happy about going but she packs her bag none the less. Alexandria was traveling light not having much stuff, Alixia the same but they shared what they did have. After a few minutes they get ready, Alexandria darts out the door unable to wait Alixia behind her but moving slower, Alexandria dances around singing her heart out with a big smile on her face, watching her Alixia can't help but smile and start to hum with her, soon they come to the lake to see Shaggy taking a swim.

(Shaggy's pov)

  The water feels nice as it flows over his body, the low temperature of the water mixed with the fall weather was beautiful the water so clear he could see the bottom, not common in many lakes but he is not complaining. Swimming around in laps at a small canal in the lake he sees the girls approach, he swims for the bank where he left his clothes and bag. As he arrives at the bank the girls reach the bank where he is, "Are you two all set?" He asks looking at their bags seeming light, "Looks like your running light." He watches as Alixia shrugs, "Just packed some food," she smiles and hugs him, he holds her for a moment then reaches down, grabbing his clothes he gets dressed he grabs his bag throwing it over his shoulder. "Ok let's head out." He ruffles Alexandria's hair seeing her glare at him, he laughs and starts heading South East hoping to make it to the first and only town for awhile by tonight.

  As they tread on through the forest he keeps up his guard not wanting a repeat of that day so many weeks ago, he tries to keep up a conversation but he can tell somethings bothering Alixia, "Are you alright?" he asks letting Alexandria get ahead of them but not too far. Watching her nod he knows she is lying but does not press it he know she will talk when she is ready, he looks up seeing the sun almost straight in the sky, "It's almost noon we should pick up the pace," he states before beginning to walk faster, "I'll race you!" He hears Alexandria yell back at them, watching her take off he laughs looking at Alixia and tightening his strap on his bag swinging it on his back before taking off after Alexandria in a full run on all fours.

After a few hours they stop to rest under a large tree hollowed out to make out a small cave providing plenty of shade, he rests against the back of the tree looking up into the hollow inside seeing only darkness, Alixia sits next to him and pulls out food handing it to him and Alexandria, he feels his stomach growl in anticipation for the juicy meat in his hands and he digs in.

(Alexandria's pov)

  She devours the meat starving from the running and rests back against the tree she sighs contently as she looks out the entrance of the tree, she can see birds fly by, she can see small critters running in the distance but she wishes she could just smell something, the smell of flowers, the scent of fresh air, the smell of the meat, she looks over to see Alixia deep in thought wishing she knew what was wrong but she knows Alixia won't talk about it. Getting up she goes outside and looks up she watches a storm cloud heading for them from the south, "We have a storm coming do we wait or head on?" She asks as she looks back at Shaggy, as he thinks about it she looks at Alixia who has a concerned look on her face. "It doesn't look too bad." She says seeing them both not convinced, storms in the fall could be deadly rain as big as marbles hail even bigger, the chance of flooding high as the rain won't stop for hours and that's on a good day. Watching Shaggy stand up she knew the answer, its time to run.