Las packs his sack, slipping in a few scarce supplies. Eli approaches with a teasing, crooked smile.
-Eli-
"Las? What are you doing there?"
-Las-
"I'm going for a walk in the forest."
-Eli-
"Where do you think you're going? Did hunger smack you in the head?"
Las grins.
-Las-
"No. Grov asked me to go into the forest and find supplies."
-Eli-
"You've completely lost it, haven't you?"
-Las-
"No. I'm going to find supplies."
Eli bristles.
"You're not planning to go alone… right?"
-Las-
"No!!!"
From behind, Skav, Vrum, and Piu sprint over—each with a pack slung over their shoulders.
-Skav-
"Hey, monkey-head! Don't tell me you forgot us!"
-Las-
"Wanna come?"
Eli stares at Las with an exaggerated, cartoonish glare and snaps:
"NO WAY!!!"
Afternoon — Departure
Las, Eli, and the "bullying trio" get ready to leave the camp and head deep into the forest.
Las shoulders his pack and grips Sifu's staff, the papyrus tied tight to his belt. He stares at the vast treeline with a spark of excitement.
Skav, Piu, and Vrum have stuffed a few rations into their packs.
Eli carries a small case with medicines and first-aid.
Grov approaches and hands Eli a map of the surrounding areas.
-Grov-
"Everything's here. I've marked it all."
-Eli-
"How do you know all this?"
-Grov-
"Don't ask too many questions—just come back safe."
Las and the others depart from the camp, slowly fading into the vast, unknown forest.
As they walk, the sunset bathes the trees. Shafts of orange light thread through branches and leaves, lighting the grass below. A gold-green world unfurls—patches of wild flowers and plants glowing at their feet.
Eli studies the map: rivers, mountains, sinkholes, caves. Several areas are slashed with an X, each beside a crudely drawn angry wolf's head (danger). Others carry a small green S (safe).
Las strolls through the forest whistling, Sifu's staff resting across his shoulder.
Vroom bristles.
-Vroom-
"Stop whistling."
-Las-
"No. I like it."
-Vroom-
"Well, I don't."
-Las-
"Then stuff toilet paper in your ears if you can't handle it."
Vroom lifts his fists, shoulders squaring for a fight.
-Vroom-
"You want a second round, banana-head?"
Eli sits by the river, staring at the map, barely paying attention to the squabble behind her.
Las lifts Sifu's staff, tilting it over his shoulder.
-Las-
"Come on, white mouse—come see what happens!"
-Vroom-
"I'm not a white mouse… banana-monkey."
Skav munches a sandwich, watching them bicker.
Piu wanders ahead, poking around the forest undergrowth.
Las hurls the staff at Vrum but misses.
Crack! It smacks Eli on the arm.
-Eli-
"Ow! My arm!"
The map slips from her hands and drops into the river
Eli stares, stunned.
-Eli-
"The map!"
She turns to Las, eyes blazing like fire.
Las and Vrum glance at each other, panic creeping in. They point—each at the other.
-Vroom & Las-
"It was his fault!"
Eli steps forward and fires off two sharp punches !
Both of them rocket backward and slam headfirst into a tree—
Las and Vrum lie sprawled on the ground, mumbling—little stars spinning in their eyes.
-Las-
"Banana…"
-Vroom-
"Stupid monkey…"
Eli looks left and right—no sign of Skav or Piu.
-Eli-
"How did I end up like this… I've become a babysitter."
Suddenly, Piu and Skav shout in shock.
-Piu-
"Incredible—I can't believe it!"
-Skav-
"Whoa!!!! —guys, come see this!"
Eli bolts toward them, startled.
Las and Vrum spring to their feet immediately.
They dash through the forest.
-Eli-
"I hope I don't have to hand out any more slaps."
Suddenly, they stop—staring at a car.
It's rust-eaten, its windows shattered. Wild grass has swallowed half the frame. The rear-right door is missing, and the steering wheel looks as if someone bit into it. Weather and time have ruined the interior—
as if the car has been sitting here for thousands of years.
Skav sits on the car's roof, while Piu takes the driver's seat, twisting the wheel left and right.
-Piu-
"What is this crank?"
Skav glances at Vroom.
-Skav-
"Nice hideout, huh?"
Vroom's eyes light up.
-Vrum-
"We'll plan how to smash the Black Wolf right here."
-Eli-
"It doesn't look like a hideout to me—more like something used to haul stuff."
Skav starts bouncing on the roof.
-Skav-
"Nice bed!"
Las snaps, irritated.
-Las-
"Stop jumping, fatty—you'll break it!"
CRACK! Skav crashes through the hood and tumbles into the interior.
-Piu-
"You broke it, idiot! Now we don't even have a hideout!"
Skav shifts, feeling something hard and metallic beneath him.
Las eyes him, curious.
Skav pulls something free—
Las steps closer-
DUNK! The object bumps straight into Las's head.
-Las-
"You idiot… red squirrel…"
-Skav-
"Look what I found!"
In his hands gleams a metal pole.
Las straightens and grabs Sifu's staff.
-Las-
"Now I'll show you what found."
Suddenly, from the brush nearby, harsh voices rip through the air:
"Move it, idiot!"
"Please—let me go!"
"Shut up!" THUD (a kick)
"Carry it, dickhead!"
"I , I can't…"
A gunshot cracks through the forest.
Everyone startles, terrified, and bolts toward the source of the voices.
Eli reaches the spot first and sees what's happening.
Las sprints up behind her, shouting:
-Las-
What's happening?!
Eli cuts him off with a quick hand signal, whispering:
-Eli-
Shut up. Don't talk.
Las peers ahead—and suddenly freezes, breath hitching in small, sharp puffs.
Behind them, last to arrive, Vroom, Piu, and Skav stare on—just as terrified.
Before them lies a village of small wooden huts. Inside the settlement, animals of many kinds shuffle under guard: some crammed into cages with wrists and ankles bound; others hauling sacks of dirt and stone; others staggering with crates of water and food. Black Wolves patrol between them, shotguns and clubs in hand.
A squirrel carrying a crate loses his balance and crashes to the ground. The box splits, water spilling into the dirt. Flat on his belly, the squirrel stares at the spreading puddle—then looks up.
A Black Wolf, grinning like a maniac, raises his shotgun.
-Black Wolf-
"Sorry, my sweet little hare."
A gunshot cracks the air.
Las tightens his grip on Sifu's staff, teeth clenched, eyes burning with fury and hate.
-Las-
"I'll crush them."