He rested a moment longer, letting the trembling in his limbs subside. Then, with a groan, he forced himself to his feet. His clothes clung to him, heavy and cold, and his body ached with every step.
But he recognized the lay of the land. He wasn't too far. If he followed the river upstream, he would reach his town, what remained of it.
And so, leaning against a fallen branch for support, Gram began to walk, driven by the faint, desperate hope that somewhere beyond the horizon, his family was waiting for him.
The walk back felt endless. Each step was a battle between pain and will. Gram's legs trembled, his vision swam from exhaustion, but he pressed on, using the sun's position and the familiar curve of the hills to guide him. The river that had carried him slowly narrowed, winding toward the valley where his town once stood.
When he finally reached the outskirts, the silence hit him first.
