I barely felt the pain anymore, though the gash on my side throbbed with every step. Elara leaned on me heavily, her breathing ragged. We had escaped Augustus, barely, but at what cost? The forest had swallowed us whole, darkness wrapping around like a suffocating blanket, and now we stumbled through it, desperate to find refuge.
Finally, I saw it—the familiar outline of our old hideout. It wasn't much, just a hollow nestled between two large rocks, camouflaged by creeping vines. But it was ours, for now. I pulled Elara along the last few steps and practically collapsed inside, letting the cool earth press against me.
"We're here," I whispered. "We made it."
Elara nodded weakly, her lips pale. She sank to the ground beside me, wincing as she moved. Her arm was still bleeding, the cut deep from our last encounter. I couldn't let her stay like this.
"I'll find something for the wounds," I said, pushing myself up despite the aching protest of my body.
Nearby, I spotted what I needed. Plantain leaves (Plantago major)—broad, green, and known for their medicinal properties. They were perfect for treating wounds, something I remembered from a botany lecture back home. I also found aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), its thick leaves full of soothing gel, ideal for burns and cuts. I gathered them quickly, returned to Elara, and knelt by her side.
"This'll sting," I warned, using a sharp rock to crush the plantain leaves into a poultice. "But it'll help."
She nodded, her eyes fluttering shut as I pressed the mixture against her wound. She hissed but didn't pull away. The aloe vera came next, cool and soothing, easing the raw edges of the cut.
"What about you?" she asked, opening her eyes just enough to look at me.
"I'll be fine," I said, though I knew I wasn't. But she needed the treatment more.
When I was done, I leaned back against the rock, exhaustion washing over me. "Rest," I told her. "I'll find something to eat."
I left her there, her breathing softening as she drifted into a restless sleep. The forest was silent now, the chaos from earlier replaced by an eerie calm. I moved carefully, listening for any sign of danger. The forest always felt alive at night, every sound amplified, every shadow hiding a threat.
After some time, I found what I was looking for: wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), its thick tubers buried beneath the loose soil. It wasn't much, but it would keep us alive. I carried the yams back to the hideout, started a small fire, and cooked them until the aroma filled the air. The simple meal felt like a feast after everything we had endured.
Elara stirred as I set the food beside her. "Eat," I urged softly. "You need your strength."
She nodded, taking small bites, and for the first time in a while, the tension between us eased, even if just a little.
---
The next morning, the sun filtered through the leaves, golden light dappling the forest floor. We both felt stronger, the rest and food having done their part.
"We need to find a better shelter," I said as we packed up what little we had. "This place isn't safe anymore."
Elara nodded, her expression grim. "Do you think Augustus is still looking for us?"
I hesitated. "Probably."
We moved cautiously through the forest, searching for another cave or hollow, anything that could offer protection. It wasn't long before we found it—a cave nestled against a cliffside, hidden by thick ferns. But something was wrong.
Signs of someone else living here were everywhere: a smoldering fire pit, crude tools scattered on the ground, and faint footprints in the dirt. I tensed, pulling Elara back.
"Someone's been here," I whispered.
Elara's eyes darted around. "Do you think they'll come back?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "But we can't stay."
We exchanged a look, unspoken understanding passing between us. We didn't have the luxury of trusting anyone. Not here. Not anymore.
"We'll find somewhere else," I said, leading her away from the cave. But even as we left, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us, hidden in the shadows, waiting.