Last Alive?-Grethan

Chapter 42

Third POV

It's been about three weeks now, Michelle having to sleep with Ethan and Grayson the first few nights being too scared to sleep alone. Now after trying to prove she can be on her own sleeps with the family of bears by her side to keep her company.

Many nights when Ethan or Grayson got up to use the bathroom or get something to drink you could hear her talking to the three, having her own conversation when you walked by her door.

The bond between the three had grown more as they now lived with each other, no one else but each other. Everyday was nice and peaceful, no interruptions, once the food ran low Ethan and Grayson went out to hunt and gather food, coming across bushes of berries and collecting them, killing some animals here and there to heat up and eat, mostly fish in the near by lake.

They would collect water and boil it to get all the bacteria out to be safe to drink. It was a pretty easy life they were living, no worries or anything. Easy food and water, had to work some but when don't you.

Ethan and Grayson were contemplating whether to leave or not, planning out the days and whether it's better to stay put or leave up for Canada. Back at the base from before they brought up the idea and concept of Canada being a safer place and they were told they had come in contact with some others from Canada and have heard they had a base there for survivors of the war, run by military, a safe location to be at.

After a couple nights of contemplating they decided to stay until the winter was gone. It just starting they would have to wait some time before it ended. Thinking it was ok with the materials they had close by they would be ok for several months.

~•~

The snow came and went as the weeks progressed, the lake freezing over time, making it more difficult to fish and the cold harder to withstand, now collecting more firewood for warmth

Life was harder with winter becoming another obstacle in life, working in the cold, not having the right attire for the temperature being they didn't necessarily pack for it and the cabin only held little to no clothes, one being a coat that they shared from time to time when traveling out

Michelle was doing well, growing fine, her hair getting longer as the time passed, Grayson and Ethan both taking turns with her hair, practicing different braids and hairstyles, learning and doing well some days and terrible the other ones. Michelle liked to just let it down and natural, but occasionally would ask for something different

~•~

With the months escalating and the snow melting more day by day, temperature rising, trees with small leaves, the green grass coming into view, the budding of the new born flowers, the constant rain that came with the spring.

Everything looked beautiful, so much fresh green trees, the nice still cool breeze, fresh scent of nature filled the air only increasing after every rainfall

Celebrating all the holidays including Grayson's birthday was nice, differing from having a snowball fight, building snowmen to cozying up on the couch to the warm fire, telling stories

It was late at night, Michelle laid in bed, the dark night filled the sky as the fire from the fireplace lit the room slightly, sitting in front of it Gray and Ethan looked down at the map on the floor

There was a city somewhat far from the previous town they had stayed at, close to where they were now, it would be a long trip, maybe a day or two on foot, especially with Michelle being too tired to walk for too long and having to share between carrying her

They made a plan to leave in a week, gather everything they would need in the meantime, pack up and go

Canada looked promising, they not only had each other to look after and worry about, but Michelle who has already lost too much at such a young age, just like them