Evolution (Completed) ✔

18: Following the Leader

Miles hopped on a socked foot, pulling his shoe out of a thick, spongey moss. Ben stood beside him, turning and peering around in every direction. For as far as they could see everything was the same, packed with thick trees. Though trees produce oxygen, the leafy forest seemed to suffocate them. Tyrell pulled at his shirt collar and took a deep breath,

" Not too much further now." He stated as Miles pulled on his shoe.

Blood from Tyrell's hands rubbed off on tree bark as he trekked on. Small beams of light trickled through the gaps in the trees, but weren't strong enough to make it to the forest floor. Miles could see the outlines of his friend's faces but not the colour of their eyes.

Miles slid over a fallen tree, landing on Tyrell's heels. The taller one ducked and crouched when needed, moving slow. Miles grunted as Ben flew over the tree, crashing into his back.

" Sorry." Ben murmured into his ear.

Miles desperately tried to wipe the black tree sap off his hands, gagging at the smell. Tyrell lowered down on to his hands and knees once more, the trees and branches only left a small tunnel as a path. Miles groaned, plopping on to his knees and crawling in tow of his friend's shoes.

Miles' hands squashed in the mud and moss, disturbing the habitats of crepuscular insects. Behind him, Ben screamed and stood on his knees, brushing a spider off his shoulder. They emerged on the other side, Tyrell helped Miles on to his feet. They stood and waited for Ben, the boy cussed and moaned as he crawled.

Tyrell tapped Miles on the shoulder, the two made eye contact,

" How are you holding up, Digs?" His slack face reeked of concern.

Miles bit his tongue, thinking up a thousand lies before spitting the truth,

" Confused, angry..."

Miles had stopped crying halfway through the bush, that was a good thing. His brothers clammy face floated in and out of his vision whenever his mind got too quiet. That's why he kept himself busy now, observing his surroundings and using his strength whenever he needed too.

Ben emerged from the tunnel and stood up, panting.

" I really don't think your brother ratted us out, if that's what you're thinking." He pitched in.

" What else could have happened?" Miles sighed, his tired eyes drooped.

" Did he leave anything --- a note?" Ben winced the last part.

Slowly, Miles nodded his head. The piece of paper tucked in his waistband weighed his torso down like a weight.

" Then I guess we'll find out." Ben moved around a mouldy tree stump, Tyrell took up the lead again and the three started walking.

The trees towered above them about twenty feet, like soundproof glass they blocked noise from outside. They hadn't heard the planes in over twenty minutes.

Miles tapped Tyrell on the shoulder this time,

" What about you, how are you?"

Tyrell bit his lip, staring upwards with the light reflecting off his iris',

" There's so much more I wanted to say to her, y'know?"

Miles knew that feeling all too well, there was a lot more he wanted to say to Aidyn too.  He wanted to ask more about their dad, maybe see the secret Christmas cards Aidyn received. Miles cussed, ducking over a low tree branch. Another sort of tunnel lay ahead, the branches got lower and lower to the ground with each step.