The storm still hadn't let up. The steady pounding of the rain, the distant rumble of thunder, and the occasional flash of lightning cast an eerie glow over the flooded forest. But the group worked tirelessly, their minds focused on the task at hand. The plan was simple: build a raft, pack their supplies, and escape downriver before the creature lurking in the storm could catch up.Zhang and Carter stood under the soaked canopy of trees, chopping down the tall teak trees with axes they'd salvaged earlier. The constant downpour made it difficult to grip the handles, but they pressed on, sweat mixing with rainwater as the thick trunks groaned and splintered under the force of their swings."Keep steady," Zhang grunted, his muscles straining with every strike. The rhythmic thud of the axe hitting wood was almost drowned out by the sound of the storm. "We need enough logs to support all of us, plus the supplies."Carter nodded, wiping his wet brow with his arm. "I know. Just... tough going with all this rain."Each chop echoed into the forest, and slowly but surely, the trees came down, one by one. They carefully stripped the branches and cut the trunks into manageable pieces, piling them up next to the riverbank. The teak was heavy, but its strength would help them build a sturdy raft.Meanwhile, near the shelter, Maria and Jason were busy making ropes from anything they could find—old vines, bits of cloth, and torn-up pieces of clothing. Jason held the strands tightly while Maria twisted and braided them together, her hands moving with practiced precision."Make sure the ends are tight," Maria muttered, focused on her work. "We don't want them fraying when we're out on the water."Jason nodded, holding the rope steady. "Already burned them," he said, gesturing to the small fire they had going, the ends of the ropes singed to prevent unraveling. "Should hold up fine."Next to them, the roof of the raft was starting to take shape—long sticks tied together with the ropes, covered by raincoats to keep them dry during the journey. The plastic bottles they'd scavenged earlier were stuffed between the logs for extra buoyancy, bobbing slightly in the puddles that formed beneath them.Maria looked up, her eyes scanning the rain-drenched landscape. "You think this will hold?" she asked quietly, her voice barely audible over the storm.Jason shrugged, wiping the rain off his face. "It has to," he said simply. "We don't have any other choice."As the raft began to come together, Zhang and Carter returned, their arms full of freshly cut wood. They quickly added the logs to the growing structure, tying everything down tightly with the ropes Maria and Jason had made. The rain continued to pour, making the wood slick and heavy, but they moved with purpose.Once the raft was finished, they set about preparing the rest of their supplies. Zhang carefully sliced the remaining meat, laying it out to dry over the fire. They had learned the hard way to make jerky whenever possible—it lasted longer, and they couldn't afford to waste any food.Carter packed what they could into waterproof bags—clothing, tools, and the oil lamp, along with a few bottles of oil they'd managed to scavenge. Maria wrapped the jerky in cloth, packing it tightly to keep it safe during the trip.They worked in silence for the most part, each focused on their task. But every now and then, someone would mutter a quiet comment, a brief exchange amidst the storm."Never thought I'd be building a raft in the middle of all this," Carter said under his breath, glancing at Zhang as they secured the final ropes.Zhang just grunted, his eyes on the river ahead. "Just keep it steady. We'll need all the luck we can get."As they finished packing, Jason stood up and stretched, his back aching from hours of work. "Everything's set," he said, looking at the others. "You ready?"Zhang nodded, wiping the rain from his face. "We are."They gathered around the raft, the rain continuing to fall relentlessly. The river before them was swollen, the current fast and strong, but it was their only way out. The ground beneath their feet was slick with mud, and the air was thick with the smell of wet earth and wood.Maria took a deep breath, glancing at the others. "Let's go," she said quietly.Together, they pushed the raft into the water, the logs bobbing slightly as it floated. One by one, they climbed aboard, each taking a position as they grabbed the makeshift oars they'd carved from branches earlier.Zhang stood at the front, his eyes scanning the river ahead. The current was strong, but he guided them with steady strokes, keeping the raft moving forward. Maria and Carter rowed in rhythm behind him, their movements synchronized despite the rain and wind that battered them from all sides.Jason sat near the back, keeping an eye on their supplies, making sure nothing slipped overboard in the choppy waters. The oil lamp flickered faintly in the storm, casting a soft, warm glow over their huddled forms.They moved slowly but surely down the river, the storm raging around them. Thunder rolled overhead, and every now and then, lightning would flash, illuminating the dark, rain-soaked world for a brief moment. The trees along the riverbank looked like twisted shadows, their branches swaying violently in the wind."Keep steady," Zhang called over the sound of the storm. "We've got a long way to go."The group nodded silently, their faces grim but determined. They had a plan, a destination, and hope—fragile, but enough to keep them moving.As the raft floated downstream, the safe house they'd called home for the past few weeks slowly disappeared into the distance, swallowed by the storm. The journey ahead would be dangerous, but it was the only way forward.The underground city waited for them.