The sun filtered through the tall trees of the forest, creating patterns of light and shadow that danced across the leaf-covered ground. With each step, the subtle sound of twigs snapping beneath their feet was muffled by the wind that swayed the branches above. You and Natalie had been hunting for hours, in silence, your senses on alert. The plane crash had transformed the forest into its new reality, and the smell of damp earth and rotting wood now seemed natural.

Natalie walked a little ahead of you, her gaze fixed ahead, always looking for any movement that would betray the presence of game. There was something about her posture that conveyed confidence, even in the face of the unknown. You watched her, impressed by how calm she remained, despite everything they had been through. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Natalie also struggled with her own demons, so good was she at masking them with the harshness of her expression.

“There has to be something around here,” Natalie mutters, without turning around. “We just need to be patient.”

You nod, trying to focus on the sounds around you, but something about the way Natalie moved, the way she kept her shoulders tense, captured your attention. Even in the darkness of the forest, she seemed like a point of light to you, an anchor amidst the chaos.

Suddenly, as you took a step forward, your boot slipped on a wet root. You tried to balance yourself, but the treacherous floor gave way, and you fell to the ground with a thud. The pain came immediately, radiating from your ankle to your calf. An involuntary scream escaped your mouth.

Natalie turned around in an instant, eyes widening for a brief second before running over to you. "Shit, are you okay?" She kneels beside you, her gaze quickly dropping to your swollen ankle. Her touch, even though it was careful, made you moan in pain.