The river, as always, flowed unaffected by time. After a brief rest and some stretching, Lucius's thoughts returned to the bodies they had encountered – left to rot or be consumed, a grim reminder of the harsh reality of this new world.
Death was no stranger to him in this unfamiliar land, yet the sheer number of corpses left a haunting impression.
As they refilled their water canteens, Lucius settled on a rock, observing Kevin's playful swimming in the river.
A small laugh escaped him. Water has always had a way of bringing a sense of joy and relaxation with its soothing sounds.
Unknown to Lucius, Lily had a mischievous glint in her eye. She stealthily approached him from behind, wrapping her arms around him in a hug before playfully jumping into the river together.
''Splash'' the sound of water made them turn their heads and caused laughter to ripple through the group.
