The forest seemed endless, a vast expanse of towering trees and tangled underbrush that felt both protective and oppressive. Leo led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the terrain for anything useful—a water source, shelter, or signs of life. Zhi followed closely behind, the small boy still dozing fitfully in his arms. The child's breathing was shallow but steady, his tiny frame shivering every so often despite the warm morning air.
"He needs food," Zhi said quietly, breaking the silence. "And shelter. We can't keep moving forever."
Leo nodded, his expression grim. "I know. That's why we need to find a base. Somewhere defensible. Somewhere we can start over."
Zhi glanced around. "Easier said than done. What are we even looking for?"
Leo stopped and crouched, tracing a rough map in the dirt with a stick. "We need three things: water, elevation, and cover. Water for obvious reasons. Elevation so we can see anyone coming. And cover to make it harder for anyone to spot us."
Zhi considered this, then pointed to the horizon. "What about that?"
Leo followed his gaze to a distant hill rising above the treetops. It wasn't a mountain, but it was steep enough to offer a tactical advantage. "It's a start," he agreed. "Let's head there."
The journey to the hill was grueling. The underbrush grew thicker as they approached, forcing them to hack through it with improvised tools—a sharp rock for Leo and a sturdy branch for Zhi. The child woke briefly, his wide eyes darting around in fear before exhaustion pulled him back into sleep.
When they finally reached the base of the hill, the boys paused to catch their breath. Leo tilted his head, listening. The sound of running water reached his ears, faint but distinct. "There's a stream nearby," he said, a hint of relief in his voice.
Zhi adjusted his grip on the child and nodded. "Good. Let's check it out before we go any further."
Following the sound, they found a narrow creek winding through the forest. The water was clear and cool, reflecting the sunlight in shimmering patterns. Leo knelt down and cupped his hands to drink, the refreshing taste easing some of his weariness.
"This will work," he said, glancing at Zhi. "But we still need to get to the top of the hill. It's the safest spot for a camp."
Zhi hesitated. "What about him?" He nodded toward the child, who was stirring slightly in his arms. "He's barely holding on."
Leo frowned, his mind working through the options. "We'll rest here for a bit, then take turns carrying him. We're too exposed at the bottom of the hill."
Zhi sighed but didn't argue. He set the boy down gently on a patch of moss, then sat beside him. The two older boys ate what little they had managed to forage during their trek—a handful of wild berries and roots Leo had identified from his fragmented knowledge of survival guides.
As they ate, Leo studied the hill's slope. It was steep, with large rocks and thick vegetation creating a natural barrier. Climbing it would be tough, especially with a child, but the advantages were undeniable.
"We'll need to clear a path," Leo said, breaking the silence. "Something we can use again if we need to go up and down quickly."
Zhi nodded, brushing dirt off his hands. "And once we're up there?"
"Shelter, first and foremost," Leo replied. "A lean-to or something similar. Then we start thinking about traps and defenses."
Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Traps? You're already planning for an attack?"
"Always," Leo said firmly. "We don't know who or what else is out here. Bandits, animals, even other survivors. If we're not ready, we're dead."
Zhi didn't argue, though his expression grew more serious. "You're right. Let's get moving."
The climb up the hill was brutal. Leo took the lead, using his sharp rock to hack away at vines and branches that blocked their path. Zhi followed closely, carrying the child despite the strain it put on his arms and back. Sweat poured down their faces, but neither complained. Every step brought them closer to safety.
When they finally reached the top, they were greeted by a flat clearing surrounded by dense trees. It was perfect—hidden from view but open enough to build a shelter. Leo dropped to his knees, exhausted but triumphant.
"This is it," he said, his voice hoarse. "Our base."
Zhi gently set the child down and collapsed beside him. "What now?"
"Now we build," Leo said, forcing himself to his feet. He surveyed the area, already envisioning what it could become. "We start small. A shelter for the three of us. Then we expand. Walls, traps, maybe even a watchtower. We turn this place into a fortress."
Zhi gave a tired laugh. "You make it sound so easy."
"It won't be," Leo admitted. "But we don't have a choice. This is our home now."
The two boys set to work immediately, gathering branches and leaves to construct a makeshift shelter. It was slow, painstaking work, but they made progress. By nightfall, they had built a crude lean-to that would provide some protection from the elements. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
As they sat by the fire that night, the child nestled between them, Leo felt a strange sense of accomplishment. They had survived another day. More than that, they had begun to carve out a place for themselves in this harsh, unfamiliar world.
"Tomorrow, we start on defenses," Leo said, staring into the flames.
Zhi nodded, his expression resolute. "And maybe find more food. We can't live on berries forever."
"Agreed." Leo glanced at the sleeping child, his features softening. "What do you think his name is?"
Zhi shrugged. "We can ask him when he wakes up. For now, let's just call him Hope."
Leo smiled faintly. It was fitting. In a world that seemed determined to break them, hope was all they had.