We were woken up in the early hours of the morning to the sound of screeching, it was ear piercing. Slowly getting out of bed with Theo quickly behind me as we slowly made our way to the front of the cave, we craned our necks from side to side trying to find the source of the screeching. After a few minutes the screeching started again, the sound was as if someone was running their fingernails down a calk board, it sent me on edge. Something about the screech seemed familiar, as if I knew it from somewhere, like I've heard it before. The screeching seemed far away from the cave, the sound travelled through the woods as if there were millions of speakers. Soon the screeching stopped again and the woods were silent, too silent. Theo and I looked at one another, confused, scared, conflicted. Conflicted on what we should do and what the hell was making that noise.

Theo put his finger up to his lips as to signal to be silent, he slowly made his way out of the cave to the flat landing that acted as a deck. After another few minutes of silence he turned back to walk into the cave, just as he stepped foot into the cave there was a loud screeching cry. This time we definitely knew what it was, we heard if them before but we never knew they would be real. The Sane's would talk about these noises, they said that sometimes they will capture you, and they are just as bad as the Skin Walkers, the only difference between them is that these don't have the intelligence that the Skin Walkers have. The screeching continued, it started to get louder and louder and Theo and myself were frozen to the spot.

It was quiet again. Once again an uneasy silence filled the air, the woods were quiet and so were we, I'm sure that Theo held his breath as he was slightly turning red. Quickly nudging him he gasped and inhaled a large mouthful of air, he mouthed a 'thank you' and carried on standing there. I don't know what we were waiting for, maybe we were waiting to see if the screeching had stopped, or if we were safe. Maybe we were just scared of what we thought was out there, close to our camp. It was a scary thought, to know something was out there, something that made loud screeching noises, and that we cannot see or do anything about. We were totally open bait.

After what felt like a good half an hour Theo and I decided that it would be safe. Turning to head off to bed I knew neither of us would be sleeping. Just as we reached the makeshift bed there was a loud screech. The screech was different this time, it was so loud, so close and it made my blood run cold. Right then I knew what was making those screeching sounds. My head snapped to Theo and I said the words I would never think I would ever say.

"The Creatures."

As soon as those words parted my lips Theo was bolting towards the fire, he quickly threw a bottle of water over the embers making the fire hiss and sizzle, I only hoped that it was the only thing dying tonight. The screeching started getting louder and the sound of small trees breaking and falling sent us rushing. We packed everything in record time and just as the tree a few meters away from the opening of the cave started to fall we slid out of the cave and bolted as fast as we could, trying to make as much distance from us and the cave that the Creatures were heading too.

As soon as Theo and I thought were safe from the Creatures we came to a stop, puffed and tired we collapsed to the ground. Closing my eyes and laughing softly, we were so close to death but yet again we dodged it, but for how long?

Theo turned his head to the side to look at me, his eyes holding relief and amusement,

"I guess we wont be staying there for a few days," he too also let out a laugh as we turned back to look to the trees.

It was starting to get light now and we knew it was morning, from a distance we could hear the sound of trees falling and faint sounds of the Creature screeching, its was retreating back to the depths of their nests, we dodged the Creatures once, we might not be so lucky next time. As soon as the Creature was gone the woods were back to their normality, the sound of other animals walking around as they are in search for their breakfast. My tummy grumbled at the thought of breakfast and I shortly heard Theo's, I guess its breakfast time.

"Lets go find something to eat, I'm pretty sure I heard a stream running not too far from here. Maybe we could head over there, catch a few fish, and clean up before carrying on?" I suggested, silently hoping he would agree.

He paused for a second to think over my suggestion, after a short while he nodded his head and gestured for me to lead the way. It only took me a couple of seconds to figure out where the sound of water was coming from and I turned to that direction, quickly but carefully I lead the way. Soon after we arrived at the flowing river, it was clean and deep. We first had to see of there was living things in the water to make sure it wasn't poisonous, as the rivers and any source of water could be dangerous. Sadly many people have died from it. You see just like woods and animals that lived within and humans, the water has also been effected by the toxicity of the bombs. Not only is the water undrinkable or unliveable because of the bombs, but because stupid Sane and Insane humans decide to poison the water in hopes of making it into a trap.

My hope was wearing as I haven't spotted any living thing swimming in the waters, I was hopefully for a bath, clean clothes, and clean water. Just as I was about to give up Theo shouted and pointed to something not too far from where he was standing.

"Look over there!" And sure enough there was a small school of freshwater fish swimming peacefully around the deeper end of the river, my stomach bubbled in excitement as I thought of the endless possibilities I could do with the water. Bath, washing, hot drink, everything! Theo and I quickly unpacked the necessary things we needed,

"I can wash our clothes while you catch the fish?"

"We can both catch the fish, I don't have many clothes to wash." Theo said as he was bent over one of the bags shifting through all the items until he found a small fishing like net.

Walking over to where we saw the school of small fish we threw the net in, quickly I stripped down into my undergarments and dove into the lukewarm water. Diving down and blowing bubbles as I try and scare the fish, eventually after a few tries it worked and the fish in their mad hurry swam straight into the net. Surfacing I gave Theo a hand signal and he quickly pulled the net in, swimming back to the bank as I got out and wrapped a towel around my soaked body.

"Well done, it looks like we may have to throw a few back as we have a few too many." Feeling proud of myself and hungry, my tummy rumbled in excitement as it knew it would be getting a decent feed.

We sat in silence as we ate the cooked fish, we indeed had to throw a few back but we also decided to cook a good amount for our day hike ahead of us. The silence wasn't an uncomfortable feeling, it was more of a settling relaxing feeling. I was happy to sit back with my feet dangling in the cool water, occasionally a fish or two would swim up curiously, taking small nibbles of my toes. It was so peaceful and for a while I forgot that the world was falling apart, I almost believed that. Almost.

After what seemed like a few hours Theo started to pack up, we had some food and Theo lead the way.

"Whens your birthday?" I asked our of curiosity, I thought that getting to know Theo a little more would be a good idea and after all I only know his name.

"Its 11th of June 1997, that makes me 19."

"So your birthday is in like a month? Mines in Augusts." Looking down at the ground as we kept walking.

Once again we were thrown into a comfortable silence, listening to the roaring of jets above us and the animals around us. The breaking of twigs, the rustling of leafs, and the trickling of water from the near by river that we were following. The sun was once again blanketed by the clouds, the weather was warm, the air around us was humid so it was stuffy.

We continued along the trails for a few more hours before settling down for a break. Theo pulled out the cooked fish and placed them on some leafs he cut down to use as makeshift plates. As we were eating I couldn't help but notice how Theo would steal quick glances at me, I ignored it at first but slowly but surely I started to become annoyed, I was starting to feel self conscious about myself, the way I ate, was there something on my face? In my teeth? Damnit I knew I should have brushed my teeth after eating breakfast.

"You know you are extremely beautiful Evenly," I sucked in a sharp inhale of air, and slightly choked on my fish, coughing a little as my eyes darted towards his.

"You have this personality thats so selfless, you want to risk your life to try and find answers and start a new world. To save it. Thats heroic." These words came out soft, quiet. I heard the truth in his voice, the sincerity in it.

He moved closer to me, reaching up and pushing a strained of loose hair behind my ear. I quickly looked down and felt a blush rose on my cheeks. He had just told me I looked beautiful, his eyes held something. Love. Though I knew he doesn't love me, but thats the only word that popped into my mind.

"Evenly, I know you probably don't feel the same way towards me like I feel towards you and thats ok. I just wanted you to know that I care about you, a lot. I know it seems weird cause we have only been together for a few days, but I cant help but feel drawn to you. You have something about you that I just cant help but like you." He moved closer to me more, our faces were so close. He's going to kiss me isn't he! This is it, my first kiss! I saw that he was moving closer to my face, and I closed my eyes awaiting the kiss. But it never came, I opened my eyes just in time to see him kiss my forehead. I felt slightly disappointed as I was kinda wanting a kiss but felt relief because I wanted the kiss to be perfect.

"I don't want to make you feel pressured to like me, or want to kiss me. And if by any chance you do like me, then maybe we could come back to this again and instead of your forehead I'll kiss your lips." My eyes widen and my cheeks turn completely red, I giggled shyly and cleared my throat.

"Ummm Hmm, maybe we should get going." I got up abruptly and threw my makeshift plate into the bushes, patting myself down from the dirt. Smiling down at Theo as I watched him do the same, we packed up our things and started to head out.

We followed the river as Theo told me that it would lead us to the city, apparently we are close to the city so we decided to just carry on. I was deep in thought when I felt a soft, warm hand engulf my smaller hand. Looking down at my hand I saw Theo's hand holding mine, and I felt a ping in my tummy. Butterflies. I smiled to myself as I enjoyed this feeling. I felt my heart flutter as I found myself thinking.

I do like this guy.

Looking up at Theo and he looked down at me, everything in this times seemed perfect. I smiled up at him and gave me one of his sexy smirks, once again my tummy sent butterflies everywhere. Reaching up on my tippy-toes, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his giving him a soft kiss. It took him a second to respond as he kissed me back. Pulling away with a big smile and a bigger smirk on Theo's lips, I looked down and pulled his hand to signal to keep walking. Theo laughed softly before saying,

"You are definitely something special Evenly." And with that we carried on to our destination.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~A/N~

HEY! Im back from my holiday, but I've started Uni so I've been extremely busy and I got stuck on this chapter. This is by far the longest one I've done. If you have any suggestion on where the next chapter should go then don't hesitate to comment your suggestions! 

I felt kind of rushed to make them kiss but I felt it was a perfect time haha, what do you think? Lets me know in the comments! 

I really hoped that you enjoy this chapter and Im sorry it took a little longer than usual, but I'll do my best to update sooner.

But you know what to do! Please don't forget to...... 

VOTE

COMMENT

And Add to your Reading Lists!

Until next time keep reading my little BookWorms! ❤️❤️❤️