Cough cough
Amy was lying on the ground sore and wounded; the former city was in ruins. She looked around to find the half-cow.
"Emily," she called.
The half cow slowly peeked her head out of the house.
"...over?" She whispered.
"Yeah." Amy answered.
Amy slowly raised from the ground and walked towards Emily.
"The backpack." She extended her hand.
Emily reached for Amy's backpack and brought it to her. Amy opened her backpack. She reached into the depths of it and pulled out a healing ointment. She opened it and pushed her fingers deep into the cold and smooth texture. Applying the solution to her skin, a cold sensation covered her whole body. She closed the ointment and put it back.
"Where are your people?" Amy asked while putting on the backpack.
Emily's face fell to the ground, grabbing onto her dress; she answered, "Migrated."
Amy's gaze shifted from the beast to Emily, from her old and torn clothes to her tired eyes.
I should get back to the group... but..
She extended her hand to Emily, a rare smile touched her lips, "Let me help you" She said.
Emily's eyes widened. She hesitantly grabbed her hand.
With a weak voice, "Really...?" she asked.
"Of course," Amy answered.
Emily lunges forward for a hug, embracing Amy tightly.
"We need to get moving." Amy pushed her away.
I need a better view of the surroundings.
She looked around. A few meters to her side was a spiraling mushroom. She moved towards it, holding onto its curves.
"Be careful!" Emily said, watching her from afar.
Amy pulled herself upwards, climbing the mushroom slowly. The firm and wood-grain-like texture made her climb easier. After a minute she was on the red cap of the fungi. Her eyes scanned every corner. In the farthest corner of the horizon a cluster of smoke raised from the ground.
"I found it." Amy said, sliding downward.
Moving towards the new city, she turned to Emily and added, "Follow me."
They moved slowly towards their destination, entering the Infinite Mushroom forest. Its oppressive monotony made itself apparent once again. Amy shifted her gaze to Emily. She was frantically looking around her hands rubbing against her forearms. Amy changed her gaze forward and slowed just enough so Emily can catch up.
"Are you scared?" Amy asked, closer now.
After a second Emily spoke up her forearm rubbing stopped, "...Yes, this place is just too eerie... I don't like this place at all."
Amy looked closely at her, her ragged breath and fear in her eyes. Then she looked forward.
Not talking about it seems like the better option.
They walked through the spongy dirt and the bitter spores. The faint noises of chimneys and conversations began to appear. Between the colossal fungi another city with the same stone-carved-like architecture arose.
"If they ask where we're from," Emily said suddenly, "don't say the ruins."
Amy glanced at her.
"Why?"
Emily hesitated. "They don't let ruin-walkers stay."