Jonah stood on the outskirts of the camp, staring into the horizon, or what passed for it in the Astralith. The night had been restless, but then again, all nights in this world felt that way—like something waited just beyond the veil of darkness. The fire crackled behind him, casting flickering shadows on the rocks and the twisted trees that loomed like silent sentinels. He clenched his fists, feeling the calluses already forming from the last few days. This world was hardening him, faster than he expected.
Alex approached from behind, his steps deliberate but unsteady, as if he was weighing each one. He had a way of walking that made Jonah think he was overthinking everything—probably because he was. Jonah heard him coming but didn't turn around. He didn't have to. He knew that Alex had been watching him, watching everyone, with that same furrowed brow and cautious stare.
"You're up early," Alex said, his voice low but loud enough to break the silence.
Jonah shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the distant, warping skyline where the Astralith's light and shadows bled into each other. "Didn't sleep much."
"Me neither," Alex admitted, stepping beside him. His eyes traced the same horizon but with a different intensity, one that spoke more of calculation than wariness. "This place never lets you rest, does it?"
Jonah didn't answer. He didn't feel like talking about the obvious—how they were trapped in some twisted, broken version of reality. Instead, he let the silence stretch, only the soft crackle of the fire and the distant hum of the environment filling the space between them.
"I've been thinking," Alex continued, and Jonah couldn't help but smirk. Of course, he had. "We can't keep going like this. The group's falling apart. We need to figure out a long-term strategy. Scavenging won't cut it anymore. Not with the creatures out there."
Jonah turned slightly, catching Alex's gaze from the corner of his eye. "You think I don't know that?"
Alex shook his head, his expression conflicted. "No, I know you do. But we're not talking about it. We're reacting—just trying to survive the next hour, the next day. That's not going to work for long."
Jonah exhaled sharply, running a hand through his unkempt hair. He hated how Alex spoke sometimes, like everything was a damn problem he could solve if only everyone else would see it his way. But he also knew that Alex was right. They couldn't just keep scavenging for scraps and hoping the creatures wouldn't find them.
"You want a strategy?" Jonah said, finally turning to face him fully. "Here's one: we stay alive. We watch each other's backs. We don't split up like idiots.
Jonah paused, letting his words hang in the air like the thick fog that occasionally rolled through the camp, shrouding everything in uncertainty. He could see the flicker of understanding in Alex's eyes, but he also caught a hint of frustration simmering just below the surface.
"Staying alive is the first part," Alex said, his voice sharper now, like he was trying to cut through the tension. "But what happens when the supplies run out? Or when those things"—he gestured vaguely toward the darker stretches of the forest—"decide they've had enough of our presence?"
Jonah clenched his jaw. He knew Alex was right, but he didn't want to dwell on it. "We can't predict every move, Alex. We've got to focus on the immediate threats." He glanced back at the fire, the flames dancing wildly as if echoing the chaos within him.
"That's just it! We're ignoring the bigger picture," Alex insisted, taking a step closer, his eyes blazing with intensity. "If we keep this up, we're going to be caught off guard. Look at us! We're not a team; we're a bunch of scared individuals trying to survive. We need a plan—a real plan."
Jonah felt a familiar heat rise in his chest. "So, what do you propose? We draw up a map and have a meeting? 'Welcome to the Hell: Here's how we're going to survive?'" His tone was sarcastic, and he didn't care to hide it.
"Why not?" Alex shot back, unfazed. "We need to start treating this like a military operation instead of a campout gone wrong. We can't afford to lose anyone at all."
"You think I don't want to protect the group? You think I want to watch anyone else die?" Jonah's voice dropped, a touch softer now, the bite giving way to something more vulnerable. "I'm trying the best I can."
"I know you are," Alex replied, his voice suddenly gentler. "But we need to acknowledge the reality of our situation. If we're going to survive this, we have to be proactive instead of reactive. We need to gather intel, scout the area, and figure out where we stand against those creatures." He hesitated, the weight of his next words heavy in the air. "We need to trust each other again."
Jonah ran a hand over his face, feeling the rough stubble beneath his palm. Trust. It was a luxury they couldn't afford anymore. "And how do you expect me to just… forget everything that's happened? Forget the fear, the losses?" He took a deep breath, trying to quell the rising tide of emotions. "It's not that simple."
"I'm not asking you to forget." Alex's voice was steady, grounding. "I'm asking you to fight with us, not against each other. We can't let fear keep us in chains. If we don't adapt, we'll be nothing more than prey in this godforsaken place."
Jonah's gaze shifted back to the horizon. The distorted skyline felt almost mocking, a reflection of their fractured state. He could feel the weight of Alex's words pressing down on him, demanding acknowledgment. "So, what's the first step then?" Jonah asked, a reluctant admission that he might actually consider Alex's strategy.
"First," Alex said, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes, "we need to secure a perimeter. We'll take shifts watching for those creatures while the rest of us forage for supplies. We'll need to start setting traps too. If we can catch something instead of scavenging, we'll have a better chance of survival."
Jonah considered this, nodding slowly as the plan started to take shape in his mind. "And what about the others? Are they on board with this?"
"We'll bring them into the fold," Alex replied. "But we need you to help rally them. Morgan may try to be their leader, Jonah. But you need to convince them we can't keep living day-to-day like we have been."
Jonah straightened, the weight of Alex's words settling heavily on his shoulders. Leader. It felt like an empty title when they were all teetering on the edge of despair. But maybe… maybe this was his chance to turn things around. "All right," he said finally, the resolve hardening within him. "Let's gather everyone and lay it out. But if anyone questions this plan, I won't hesitate to remind them of what's at stake."
"Agreed," Alex said, a glimmer of hope breaking through the tension between them. "We're in this together, Jonah. Let's make sure we don't forget that."
As they made their way back to the camp, Jonah couldn't shake the feeling that the real battle lay not just against the creatures lurking in the shadows, but within their own fractured group. And he was determined to face it head-on.