The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple as the group gathered back at the cave. The day had been long and productive, but the fading light signalled the need to regroup and prepare for the night ahead. One by one, they returned, carrying what supplies they had managed to gather.
Lily and Ethan were the first to arrive, their hands full of foraged berries, edible plants, and a few small game animals Ethan had managed to catch. They set their haul down near the cave entrance. "No signs of trouble," Lily reported.
Maria and Sam followed shortly after, their arms filled with herbs and materials for reinforcing the cave.
"The flora is so different," Sam said, as he took notes of the plants he knew and the ones he didn't marking them for research.
Victor and Walter emerged from the forest last, their hands empty but faces satisfied. "We set up a few traps around the perimeter," Victor mentioned. "Nothing's triggered them yet, but we'll need to keep watch. The forest feels... restless."
AJ, who had spent the day near the cave experimenting with his abilities, rippled slightly in acknowledgement. His form was more stable now, his movements smoother and more controlled. He had made significant progress, but the effort had left him drained. Still, he was determined to contribute.
As they settled in, they took a moment to share their experiences from the day. Lily and Ethan recounted their scouting mission, describing the dense underbrush and uneven terrain they had navigated. They spoke of the patches of edible berries and roots they had gathered along the way. Ethan, still catching his breath from the day's exertion, added, "We didn't run into anything dangerous, but the forest feels... alive. Like it's watching us."
Maria and Sam detailed their discoveries, with Maria holding up a bundle of herbs. "These might have medicinal properties," she said, her tone cautious but hopeful. Sam eagerly explained the potential uses of the new plants, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke. "Some of these could be used for healing, whilst others might have more... unpredictable effects. We'll need to test them carefully." He also mentioned the odd energy patterns they had all sensed in the air, though he admitted he was still far from understanding it.
Victor and Walter summarised their efforts to fortify the cave, their traps serving as both a warning system and a deterrent.
---
With the day's haul laid out before them, they began to take stock of their resources. The pile of food, herbs, and materials was impressive, but it was clear they would need more to sustain themselves in the long term.
"We've got enough food for two or three days," Lily said, sorting through the berries and plants. "But we'll need to find a more sustainable source soon."
Sam looked at the medicinal herbs. "She's right. Also, these could be invaluable if anyone gets injured or sick. I'll keep track of their properties and work on figuring out how to use them effectively."
Walter, leaning on his makeshift cane, nodded thoughtfully. "We've done what we can for now." Victor voice his concern. "We'll need to keep improving our defences. The forest is full of predators, and we can't afford to let our guard down."
Walter smiled gently as he added, "We're doing well. Keep up the good work, everyone."
---
As they finished going through their inventory, they turned their attention to AJ. Improving communication with him was a top priority, and they were determined to make progress.
Lily took the lead, sitting beside AJ and guiding him through a series of gestures and ripples. "We need a system that's more advanced than yes or no," she said, her tone encouraging. "Something that lets you express more complex ideas."
AJ rippled in agreement, his form shifting as he concentrated. The others watched intently, their eyes fixed on his gelatinous body as it moved in deliberate patterns. "Let's start with the basics," Lily continued. "We already have left and right meaning no and yes respectively."
AJ responded by moving to the right—yes. The group nodded, their expressions a mix of curiosity and hope. Next, Lily introduced more complex ideas. "If you need food, make a small wave toward the pile of moss. If you're tired, flatten yourself slightly, like this." She demonstrated by pressing her hands together, and AJ mimicked the motion, his form flattening out.
Victor suggested adding a signal for danger. "If you sense something threatening, make a sharp, jerking movement. That way, we'll know to be on alert." AJ obliged, his form twitching abruptly, the motion unmistakable. Maria, watching closely, added, "What about pain or discomfort? Maybe a slow, pulsing ripple?" AJ tried it, his body undulating in a gentle rhythm.
Sam chimed in. "We should also establish signals for more abstract concepts, like 'help' or 'wait.' For 'help,' maybe a rapid series of small ripples. For 'wait,' a slow, steady movement." AJ experimented with the suggestions, his form rippling in quick succession for "help" and then settling into a slow, rhythmic pulse for "wait."
It wasn't perfect—some movements were still vague or open to interpretation—but it was progress. By the end of the session, AJ could convey basic needs and ideas, a small but important step forward. They felt a renewed sense of connection, their efforts bringing them closer together.
---
The mood in the cave shifted as evening settled in. The light of the fire by the entrance flickered softly, casting warm shadows on the walls, and the air grew quiet, save for the distant sounds of the forest outside. Maria, who had been unusually reserved all day, finally broke the silence.
"I can't stop thinking about my kids," she said, her voice trembling slightly. She stared into the fire, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I don't even know if they're alive, or where they might be. What if they're out there, alone and scared? What if I never find them?"
Lily was the first to respond. "We'll find them, Maria. We'll find everyone we can. You're not alone in this."
Ethan nodded solemnly. "Yeah, we're all worried about the people we left behind. My parents, my sister... I don't know what happened to them, but I'm not giving up hope. We'll figure this out together."
Walter leaned forward, his eyes filled with compassion. "It's natural to feel this way, Maria. But remember, you're not just a mother—you're part of this group. We'll help you find your children, just as we'll help each other find our loved ones."
Sam's tone was thoughtful. "The wish event affected everyone. It's possible that large groups have banded together for survival. If we can find one of those groups, they might have information about your kids—or at least a way to start looking."
Victor finally spoke. "We should give it a day or two to get our footing. Then we can start looking for your kids and our families. No mindless searching. We do this carefully."
AJ rippled in agreement, his form shifting slightly to convey his support. Though he couldn't speak, his presence was a quiet reminder that he was with them, every step of the way.
Maria wiped her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly. "I just... I needed to say it out loud."
The others nodded, their faces reflecting a shared resolve. One by one, they began to share their own hopes and fears—stories of family, friends, and loved ones they had left behind. The cave, once filled with the tension of survival, now felt like a sanctuary, a place where they could be honest and vulnerable with one another.
As the fire burned low, they made a plan. Tomorrow, they would continue gathering resources and fortifying the cave. The day after, they would set out to search for other survivors. It was a daunting task, but they were determined. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.
---
As they settled in for the night, the cave grew quiet once more. The fire had burned down to embers, casting a faint glow across the stone walls. Victor, taking the first watch, sat near the opening, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness outside. The others lay scattered around the cave, their breathing slow and steady as sleep began to claim them.
But the forest was never truly silent. The rustle of leaves, the distant calls of nocturnal creatures, and the occasional snap of a twig created a constant, low hum of activity.
Outside, hidden among the trees, three figures crouched in the shadows. Their voices were hushed but urgent, their words carrying on the night air.
"You saw the food they've got in there," one of them whispered, his voice rough and greedy. "Enough to last us a few days. We can't let it go to waste."
"They've got traps set up," another replied, his tone cautious. "We'll need to be careful. One wrong move, and we're done for."
The third man, taller and more imposing, grunted in agreement. "We'll wait until they're all asleep. Then we move in, take what we need, and get out. No mistakes."