Isolated in the middle of the forest, miles from the ark; William Underhill and his companions made a desperate forced march to safety.
"Come on you guys, don't slow down. We can't let the bugs catch up with us."
"We have to rest." Said Tara, "I can't take it anymore."
"Neither can I." Said Brian, "We've been walking for hours."
Danger was all around them in this mysterious forest.
"We can't stop now," said Alice, "not until we get to the other side of the forest. Then we can rest for a while, but not now. The bugs will catch us and kill us all if we stop and rest. If we can make it out of the forest, we can make it back to the ark."
A march of survival; a march of determination; a march of courage!
"Let's keep going," said Marie, "the sooner we get out of the forest, the sooner we can rest."
"She's right." Said Luke, "The forest is full of deadly animals and plants. We can't stop now."
"Hey! I can see light!" Yelled Shai, "Look, the forest is almost over! Just a few more miles and we'll be out of here. Come on, let's hurry up and get out of this place."
Shai was a halfling and a former thief who knew how to pick locks and disarm traps. She was very quick on her feet and her senses were extremely keen, especially her vision. She was an expert with knives, and she often used these knives as slingshots. Her skill in archery was above-average.
"Right," said Mica, "let's go."
"Good," said William, "We can camp at the edge of the forest. We'll be safe there."
The group kept walking.
"We're almost there," said Marie, "just a little bit further and we'll be out of the forest."
After an hour, the group finally exited the forest and came to a clearing.
"We did it," said Tara, "we're safe."
"Yes," said Alice, "and now we can finally rest."
"When we've made it to the ark, that's when we will be safe." Said William.
"Hey, don't sweat it." Said Gong, "The worst part is over."
"He's right," said Ken, "We're home free!"
William stared at the sun setting in the distance, he had a feeling it wasn't over yet.
"It's beautiful," said Marie, "but very sad."
"Sad? Why is it sad?" Asked Brian.
"Because it means that Colonel Cyrus will never see another sunset again."
Gort quickly set up the shrinkage cabin, he pressed the button and the house expanded.
"We'll rest here tonight, then tomorrow we'll start our journey back to the ark."
"Right," said Tara, "I could use some sleep."
William looked up at the sky.
"I know you're out there Ratty, and I promise I will kill you for what you did to the Colonel, and for all the people you killed in the past. I swear it."
The next morning...
"All right," said William, "everybody ready to go?"
"Yes," said Marie, "let's go."
"Right," said William, "let's move."
"One thing," said Alice, "This was Colonial Cyrus' crossbow. He wanted you to have it William. Take care of it, will you?"
William took the crossbow.
"Thanks," he said, "I will."
"Come on, let's get out of here," said Mica, "we can't stay here any longer."
"Right," said William, "let's get moving.