The Goodwills: Adventure in an Apocalyptic World

Chapter eight

The night that was thought to long disappeared quite quickly as they rested and morning came.

The ground was damp from the dew, as people woke up. After huddling together for warmth overnight, people began to separate. Somewhere in the distance, something howled, it was low, drawn-out, not quite an animal sound, not quite human either.

Victor woke with a stiff neck and sore shoulders. He sat up slowly, careful not to disturb anyone. Around him, bodies stirred, other members of the Goodwill family, some awake already, others clinging to sleep like it might protect them.

Karl was already on his feet.

He stood near the edge of the temporary camp, scanning the tree line with a calm that didn’t match the tension in the air. His wooden spear at hand, not raised and not relaxed either.

“Wake everyone up,we are moving in soon,” Karl said quietly. “Muster as much strength as possible, we will encounter fruit trees not too far ahead.”

Robert groaned softly as he pushed himself upright. “You ever consider saying good morning first?”

Karl didn’t look back. “Morning means we survived the night. That’s enough.”

Victor rubbed his face and stood, stretching slowly. Vanessa was already awake, she looked up when Victor approached.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Still breathing,” Victor replied. “That’s my daily goal now.”

She smiled faintly, then glanced around. “I don’t like this place.”

“No one does,” Victor said. “Fortunately, we won't be here for too long.”

Victor looked around for a thick enough tree branch that could serve as some sort of weapon and a walking stick at the same time. 

Some seeing him do this followed suit, others totally uninterested. Their search was successful. Though some sticks were not up to standard, it still stirred a level on confidence and safety in the holders.

 

The camp packed quickly. There was no ceremony to it. No one lingered longer than necessary. Food was unavailable but some went to the trees to sip what little quantity of water was gathered on their leaves. When Karl gave the signal, they moved.

They walked with a steady pace as the forest swallowed them within minutes.

Tall trees crowded close, their trunks wrapped in thick vines and insects going about their business. 

The air was heavy and wet, buzzing with insects that constantly came near the ears. Bright birds darted between branches, their numbers quite few. Birds that can survive in this snake infested area should not be taken lightly.

Karl led from the front, Robert close behind him. Caleb walked near the middle, keeping an eye on the Goodwills around him. Victor, Nathan and Vanessa stayed near the rear with the other people who moved with hollow eyes and cautious steps.

“Smells like something has been dead for days,” Caleb muttered as he put his hand on his nose.

“Get used to it,” Karl said without slowing. “Your survival depends on how fast you do that.”

That earned a nervous chuckle from someone behind them.

As they moved deeper, the forest began to thin. Trees gave way to tall grass that swayed gently in the wind, hiding uneven ground beneath. The sun beat down harder here, burning away the damp chill of the forest.

Large insects leapt away from their steps. Something scurried through the grass off to their right, too fast to see clearly.

Victor slowed. “Did you see that?”

Karl raised a fist and everyone understood what he meant, the group stopped instantly.

A ripple passed through the grass, then another and more.

“Back up,” Karl said quietly. “Slowly.”

They retreated a few steps as a herd of long-necked creatures burst into view. Something between antelope and lizard, scales glinting in the sunlight. They thundered past, barely acknowledging the humans.

They did not attack, they made a sound as though a warning.

“Everything runs here,” Robert said. “Or hunts.”

“Sometimes both,” Karl replied.

They pushed on, trying to cover as much ground as possible.

By midday, the land shifted as the dominant plants changed once again.

The ground grew soft underfoot, the air thick and sour. Trees returned, but twisted, their roots exposed and tangled like skeletal fingers. 

Pools of dark water dotted the path, buzzing with flies. The smell of decay was stronger, enough to sting the nose.

The swampy feel got stronger as splashes filled their ears.

“Watch your steps,” Karl warned. “Some of these pools don’t have bottoms.”

As if on cue, someone behind yelped as their foot sank deeper than expected. Two people rushed forward and hauled them out, legs shaking.

“Everyone alright?” Victor asked.

“Y-Yeah.” The person that fell into the pool responded, legs still shaking.

They moved slower here, careful and quiet.

Something splashed nearby… then again.

Victor’s hand tightened around the makeshift weapon he carried. “Stay alert.”

Karl said. “Keep moving.”

A low growl echoed from somewhere to their left, not close but not far either.

They pushed through the swamp until the ground finally hardened beneath their feet. When they reached a stretch of rocky terrain dotted with low trees, Karl raised his hand again.

“We rest here,” he said as he pointed. “Those trees produce large berries, each person eats one now and take one for later. We spend ten minutes here, then we move.”

“Only ten?” Robert asked.

Karl met his gaze. “Night comes fast in this place.”

They sat in small clusters. No one wandered far, picking from the trees closest to the group.

The Goodwills gathered and sat, everyone trying to catch their breath and rest up. 

Katie got up and said “ Gregory and I will be going to pick fruits for everyone, but we can't do it alone. Who wants to join us.”

Most of the Goodwills raised their hands and Katie had to do the choosing.

“Mum, Aunt Frida and Natasha, three extra hands would be enough. Thanks guys.”

Katie and those going to pick the fruits went to do that 

Victor sat beside Vanessa “You holding up?”

“Yes,” she said quietly.

Victor swallowed. “Me too.”

Robert sat nearby, rubbing his knees. “This family always had a way of finding trouble.”

Caleb snorted. “Yeah that's true but this is way beyond normal, even for us.”

For a moment, they laughed, softly and briefly.

The sound faded quickly, swallowed by the wilderness.

Karl stood apart, eyes scanning the horizon. One of the survivors approached him, a thin man with scars along his arms.

“You sure this is the right way?” the man asked.

Karl nodded. “As sure as anyone can be.”

“That’s not very comforting.”

Karl looked at him. “Neither is lying.”

The man hesitated, then stepped back.

They moved again as the sun began to dip.

The land grew uneven, rising into low hills covered in thick jungle. Vines hung low, leaves large enough to shelter from rain. The light dimmed as the canopy closed overhead.

This jungle felt different, quiet…too quiet.

Victor felt it before he heard it, a pressure in the air, as though terror itself looked upon them.

“Karl,” he whispered.

Karl stopped.

Then it happened.

A screech tore through the trees.

From the left, massive shapes burst out, beasts with thick hides and elongated jaws, eyes glowing faintly. They moved in coordination, flanking rather than charging blindly.

“Form up!” Karl shouted. “Protect the middle!”

Panic flared, without any training Karl's shout was as good as noise. 

The stronger fighters, those who were armed with sticks, moved outward. Others pulled inward. Strength burst from sources unknown as everyone was alert.

The first beast lunged.

Karl met it head-on, his spear raised with precision. The creature roared as the weapon sank into its neck, dark blood spraying.

Another charged Robert. Caleb tackled him out of the way as Victor swung his weapon, cracking it against the beast’s skull. It staggered but didn’t fall.

“Eyes!” Karl yelled. “Go for the eyes!”

The jungle erupted in noise, screeches, shouts, snapping jaws.

One of the survivors went down, dragged screaming into the undergrowth.

“Don’t chase!” Karl ordered. “Hold the line!”

Victor’s arms burned. His heart pounded so hard he thought it might burst. He struck again, again, until the beast collapsed.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, the attack ended.

The remaining beasts retreated, melting back into the jungle.

Silence returned, broken only by ragged breathing.

They counted heads…one missing.

A woman sobbed quietly, hands covering her mouth.

Karl shook off the blood on his spear. “We move. Now.”

Night fell like a curtain.

The jungle grew alive with sounds, chirping, croaking, distant howls. Visibility dropped but the moon came out to the rescue with its soft glow.

Every shadow felt like a threat.

They moved slower now as exhaustion weighed on everyone.

A disagreement broke out when they reached a fork in the path, one trail narrow and dark, the other wider but exposed.

“We take the wide one,” Robert said. “At least we can see.”

“And be seen,” Karl replied. “No.”

“People are tired,” Robert shot back. “They can’t handle another ambush.”

Karl, still expressionless, responded. “And they won’t survive the open either.”

Victor stepped between them. “We follow Karl.”

Robert hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.”

They pressed on.

Near midnight, they found shelter, a rocky overhang partially hidden by vines. Karl checked it, then waved them in.

They collapsed where they stood.

No cheering, no talking, just pure fatigue reigned supreme amongst them

Victor lay awake, staring into the darkness, listening to the slow breathing of his family nearby. Vanessa’s hand found his. He squeezed it gently.

“We’re still together,” she whispered.

“Yes,” he said. “Now and always.”

In the distance, beyond the jungle, a faint glow lit the horizon.

Victor closed his eyes, knowing tomorrow would be worse.