The walk was absolutely brutal. Splinters tucked their way into Tyler's and Evelyn's skin, sending a shock down their legs with each step. Their bones were shaking from the immense pain, but all they could do was push on through.

"Tyler..." Evelyn whined, her motion slowing down. "I can't go any longer." Evelyn falls to her knees, wincing in pain from the gravel striking her skin.

Tyler waddles beside her and sits down. "It's okay, Ev. We can rest here for a bit."

"I'm so tired. I don't know if I can keep going."

Evelyn's hands are then buried in Tyler's. He bites the inside of his cheeks when he feels the tears welling inside his eyes. "Don't say that. We'll make it through together. Push on through, Evelyn."

Evelyn coughs with a wheeze, the dryness sounding painful. Both of their throats burned like a fire was inside their lungs, the smoke in the air gradually killing them.

Tyler guided his back to the ground, staring up at the spotted sky. Without light pollution, the galaxy painted a beautiful image. Evelyn copies Tyler and lays her back on the ground.

"This is something you don't see every day," Tyler smiles, his chuckle transitioning into a cough.

Silence came between them for a bit, taking in the natural art.

"This confirms that there's beauty in everything." A strand of grass brushes against Tyler's elbow. He ignored it the first time, but the second time, he acknowledged that there was grass. He sits up, eager to find out if there's more. His hands navigated around, feeling the soft texture. A smile formed on his face. He hadn't seen grass for years.

"Oh my God," he softly laughs, letting his hands roam around.

Curious, Evelyn crawls next to him to check out what he's doing.

"Is this..."

"Grass!" Tyler shouts. His fingers briskly run over a small twig. Then another one. Then a couple more. "It's a base!"

Twigs cover a large hole in the ground. They both look at each other, then quickly remove the barricade and enter the base.

There were a few blades and crossbows on a makeshift table, a pile of stones, and two beds of leaves.

"Do you think someone lives here?" Evelyn asks.

Tyler raises his eyebrows. "Well, if they did, they're dead now. No one can live out here for long."

Evelyn sighs in remorse.

"Come on," he smiles. "Let's make the most of this while we're here. Come help me set up a fire."

After gathering stones and twigs, Tyler sparks his lighter, and flames immediately grow.

"This is our checkpoint," says Tyler. "Josh's land can see the light of the fire from here. Do you see that silhouette in the distance?"

Tyler's finger lands on the shadow that was barely visible through the fog.

"We're going to make it."

His words then turn into a coughing fit. His coughs sounded tight as if he began to choke.

"Ty?"

The world in his view spun around, draining his energy, and raising his exhaustion.

Evelyn gives him her last jug of water. At first, he refused, knowing it was hers, but she insisted. He rips the cap off and chugs it all until the very last drop.

Tyler wheezes, attempting to bring himself breath. "We can't stay in the smoke for long."