Welcome To Trench

Chapter Twenty | New Places, New People

btw my insta is @ heyitzcas in case anyone wants to follow me :) also eVERYBODY SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER JOSEPH !!!!!

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Thick and heavy boots hit the damp, grassy floor of steep hills. Rain fell, the sun shined, then rain fell again. Minutes turned into hours, and hours turned into days. You had lost all track of time.

Not only did you struggle to opt whether it was a Monday or a Thursday, but the hunger that strangled your stomach in a tight cluster of knots made your fingertips cold and your knees tired. A variety of unhealthy snacks joined the group on their journey, but it was a collective decision that saving as much food as possible was the way to go. Even if it meant the faint sound of growling rose from everyone's stomach on occasion. You had grown used to the noise at this point. It was an aggravating beat. One that made your throat feel dry.

It was still far too early in the morning. Every day, Josh would awaken the group at the crack of dawn. Jumping to your feet and heading south as soon as eyelids fluttered open became your new daily routine. The grogginess that currently ached in your heels was enough proof to show you weren't yet fully adjusted to the daily procedure. You silently wondered if anyone was.

The dazed look in Ben's eyes matched yours. A dose of restlessness kept the two of you on edge, both severely tired from last nights dastardly long hike. Surprisingly enough, the charmer hadn't pestered you at all within the past few days. However it might just be that no one has had much time to relax or let loose. Never ending determination thrived in everyone's hollow bones.

You felt like a walking corpse. Dead, yet so alive.

You did get to know Jason a little better, though. A firm conversation was yet to be had, but from your observations it was clear he was a spirited man. He wasn't vibrant like the exotic feathers of a parrot, or in the way crayon remnants danced boldly on a blank sheet of paper. He had the enthusiasm of a lion's mane, and the livelihood of an elegant cheetah. A noble feline, wild and free of judgement.

"This is dumb." Ben muttered through worn-out lips. His head hung low, hands gripping the straps of his backpack. The statement was meant to go unheard as it was more of a way to put his vocal chords to some use.

Biting your tongue, you held back a sullen response. Sal however allowed spiteful words to slip from her tongue. "Then why'd you come, dumbass?" Her tone had a friendly spark to it, as if she meant the insult lightheartedly. Ben didn't seem to perceive it that way, though.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because I was offered to come with? Besides- how would I have known we'd be walking for ages! I bet we're not even going the right way. Even better, we are probably just going in circles." His tone heightened from a small mumble to a loud outburst of ridicule.

Sal blinked with wide eyes at Ben's tempered scorn. "Woah, dude. Chill. I was just playing around. No need to be a dick."

The brunette boy parted his lips to scoff once more, but Jason butted into the conversation before even a breath could leave his mouth. "Here's an idea- why don't the two of you shut your traps? Your bickering is giving me a headache." He said in a way that showed no annoyance, rather he was uncomfortable by the disturbance of the unnecessary argument.

Although you didn't express your gratitude, you felt thankful for Jason's interruption. Lack of sleep was making everyone a little moody, and you weren't sure if you'd be able to handle the slightest amount of aggression without your own blood beginning to boil.