Two days found them here, Liam could feel his head bursting, he was tired, and three years felt so close but yet so far! But he continued anyway.
Liam scribbled down potential tasks for the next few months: identifying discreet locations for supply runs, mapping out escape routes from the cabin, and a list of people to watch—or avoid—like the plague. David, on the other hand, took a moment to glance out the window.
David said, his pen tapping rhythmically against the table as he thought aloud.
"We should keep our social lives intact until we're ready to disappear. No drastic changes in behavior—at least not until it's necessary."
Liam nodded.
"It's going to be hard pretending everything is normal, for, but nothing is new about that charade."
David looked at him, a hint of mischief in his expression. "It might help to think of it as a game."
Liam chuckled. "As long as I'm not the game piece we lose."
"Trust me, I'm not letting you out of my sight," David assured him, his tone firm but laced with warmth. "Besides, you've got too much to offer to just vanish without a trace."
Their banter provided a temporary distraction. Before Liam returned to the planing.
"Let's prioritize the cabin setup. The sooner we secure it, the less we have to worry about for the time being."
David leaned forward, enthusiasm igniting his features. "Right! We need to draw up a list of materials and tools we'll need for the cabin. If we're going to hide away, I want to make sure we're safe from any wanderers. We can't risk someone stumbling upon our hideout."
Liam felt a flutter of excitement mixed with trepidation at the idea. "Okay, so we turn the cabin into a fortress. Got it. What's our first step?"
David grabbed a fresh sheet of paper, ready to jot down their newfound direction. "Let's start mapping out our routes to the cabin and the supplies we'll need. We can do a practice run."
"A practice run?" Liam laughed softly. "You're serious?"
"Absolutely," David replied, eyes gleaming with determination. "It'll help us get a feel for the area and identify any potential dangers before we commit to staying there long-term."
"Alright, you plan the routes, and I'll gather the intel on supplies," Liam decided. He felt a surge of adrenaline, they now knew where to go from.
As the afternoon sun began to fade, casting a golden glow across the table cluttered with notes and ideas, Liam took a moment to stretch his arms and lean back in his chair, exhaustion creeping in but punctuated with satisfaction.
David gestured towards the clock again.
"We should probably take a break and get some fresh air before we jump back in."
"I could use a walk," Liam replied, standing and grabbing his jacket.
David arm drapped over Liam shoulders, they walked the neighborhood, the mundane sights of their daily lives starkly contrasted with their knowledge.
It was a world swirling with normalcy, blissfully unaware.
A quiet contemplation settled between them as they continued walking.
"Let's talk more about the supplies when we get back," Liam suggested as they rounded a corner.
"Definitely. We should also carve out some time to practice those routes," David added. "I want to be prepared for anything that come."
Suddenly, Liam felt unsettled.
"Hey, David, before we dive back into planning, can I ask something?"
"Of course," David replied, curious.
Liam hesitated, weighing his words carefully. "What if...what if that was a product of our imagination-"
"Liam," David interrupted gently. "Doubt can't take root, not now. We need to focus on what we can control. Besides, I'm sure that you didn't have white hair in the past, you only had white hair when you awoke your ice power."
Liam nodded, feeling both reassured and a bit silly. "You're right. I just wanted to make sure that we weren't deluding ourselves. I forgot, that was silly."
David replied firmly. "Don't beat yourself about, that's one of the reasons I love you. Now let's get back and make our plans even more concrete. We'll tackle this, one step at a time."