"Your hair has grown quite a bit. I’ll help you cut it shorter later."

Ronan Kendrick nodded. "Okay."

Evelyn Ford gazed at his profile, as sharp and cold as a drawn blade.

’He really hasn’t changed at all,’ she thought, ’except that his youthful air has faded, replaced by the charm of a mature man.’

The once delicate, handsome youth was now showing signs of becoming a rugged man.

Evelyn Ford pressed her lips into a small smile and went back to trimming the herbs in her bag.

The roots had to be preserved whole so they could be planted later. She had even dug up a stalk of ginseng just now; Evelyn Ford had to admire her own luck.

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped. Ronan Kendrick got out to lead the others into the mountains to find water. Evelyn Ford fed Mina and Lola some food, then grabbed a bag herself, planning to head into the mountains to collect fallen tree seeds.

The mountain roads were rugged and narrow, and everyone had been driving at a snail’s pace the whole way.

The trail into the mountains was even more difficult to navigate. Carrying hoes and an assortment of bottles, it was easy to lose your footing and fall.

Ronan Kendrick carried two large water containers as well. He led the way, his pace so fast that the others were drenched in sweat just trying to keep up.

"Mr. Ronan Kendrick, how much farther?" Peter Owens asked, gasping for breath. He was still wearing his homemade mask and gauze eye coverings and was completely exhausted.

"Almost there."

Officer Graham and Quincy stuck close behind Ronan Kendrick, afraid he would lose them.

Finally, after walking for half an hour, the group reached a clearing deep in the mountains. Wild grass grew thick and lush, a vibrant patch of green surrounded by dead trees.

"Plants! It’s been over a year... I’m finally seeing real plants again!"

"There are snakes here," Ronan Kendrick said, then brought his hoe down hard, smashing a small green snake in two.

The patch of wild grass was teeming with small green snakes. They weren’t particularly frightening, but it was still unsettling.

His expression unchanging, Ronan Kendrick walked into the middle of the grass and pushed aside a patch of withered stalks. A water snake suddenly lunged at him.

Ronan Kendrick swiftly grabbed the snake, slammed it to the ground, and dispatched it with his hoe.

"The water is here."

The others were speechless. ’So intense... Is he even human?’

The pond was actually quite small, but the water was fairly clean. Everyone was eager to collect water and get back down the mountain to process their kills, so they immediately started clearing the pond to fill their containers.

By the time Ronan Kendrick and the others returned with the water, more than two hours had passed.

Evelyn Ford had already returned from collecting seeds, built a bonfire, and taken Wendy to dig for herbs and gather firewood by the time the water party descended from the mountain.

"There’s really water! Evelyn, your Ronan is a jack-of-all-trades! He’s not just an amazing hunter; he can always find water. Having him around has made this journey so much easier for us."

"Alright, alright, let’s just hurry up and process the game. I’m starving."

Serena Lynch immediately clutched her stomach. "I was fine until you said something. Now that you mention it, I’m starving too."

Everyone else planned to turn their game into Dried Meat to make it easier to carry.

When Ronan Kendrick returned with the water, he and Evelyn Ford processed their kill together. They made some of it into Dried Meat and stored the rest in her space.

Now that they had a water source and there was still game in the mountains, everyone’s mood lightened.

For the next few days, Ronan Kendrick continued to lead hunting parties, sometimes venturing into the mountains alone. Evelyn Ford was in charge of digging for herbs, gathering any new plants she could find, collecting seeds, and occasionally felling dead trees to store in her space.

The mosquitos and other insects had thinned out over the past two days, but they still came in annoying, black swarms. Evelyn Ford swung her axe at a tree. She was much stronger now, though she’d also gotten a tan from the sun.

After the others had returned to their vehicles to rest, Ronan Kendrick led Evelyn Ford back into the mountains. She wanted to wash her hair—it had been a long time, and she was worried she might get lice. Shaving her head was not an option she was willing to consider.

Deep in the mountains, Evelyn Ford set up a tent to wash her hair and bathe inside. Ronan Kendrick stood guard outside. When a wild pheasant happened to fly past, he even managed an unexpected catch.

Evelyn Ford finished quickly. After she changed and came out, Ronan Kendrick went in to wash up. Evelyn replaced the water with a fresh supply for him and then waited outside.

She had dug up a lot of herbs over the past few days, and Evelyn Ford had mixed a powder that, when sprayed on clothing, would repel insects for a month. The effect was quite good. She planned to give some to the others; otherwise, hunting while constantly keeping their faces and hands covered was too inconvenient.

When Ronan Kendrick was done, Evelyn Ford took out a pair of scissors and cut his hair for him.

With his hair cut short, the rugged man transformed back into a clean, refreshingly handsome one.

"There’s no game left in the mountains."

Ronan Kendrick’s voice was a bit hoarse. He hadn’t rested at all for the past few days, and though he didn’t show it, Evelyn Ford knew he was tired.

"It’s been five days. Time to move on. Everyone’s had a good haul these past few days. We’ve each got about two hundred pounds of meat. That’s enough."

Ronan Kendrick suddenly hugged Evelyn Ford and sighed softly.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing, just wanted to hold you."

When they got back to the base of the mountain, Serena Lynch saw them and gave them a knowing, teasing look. Evelyn Ford didn’t bother to explain, simply opening the car door to let Mina and Lola out to relieve themselves and play.

With everyone’s meat supplies replenished and their bottles filled with water, Taylor Vance came over to announce their departure in half an hour. Their next stop was Sheridan City, roughly a six-hour drive away.

Evelyn Ford glanced at Ronan Kendrick. "I’ll drive this stretch."

Ronan Kendrick nodded. He hadn’t gotten much rest over the past few days of constant hunting in the mountains. He was, in fact, exhausted.

Once Mina and Lola returned, Evelyn Ford slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

After five days of rest, everyone looked much healthier. Evelyn Ford had also handed out the insect-repellent powder, so they no longer needed to cover their faces and could even open the car windows for some fresh air.

"Ronan Kendrick, I’m now completely convinced you’re a veteran," Quincy said from the back, poking Ronan in the back.

"There’s not a single animal in these mountains you can’t take down. You’re incredible. From now on, I’m sticking with you." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Haven’t we been riding their coattails this whole time?" Wyatt Vaughn chimed in dryly.

"Evelyn is incredible, sure, but have you seen Ronan when he hunts? He’s like a god of death."

Ronan Kendrick closed his eyes to sleep, but Quincy kept chattering endlessly.

"If I were still young, I’d want to learn a few tricks from Ronan, too."

Wyatt Vaughn snorted. "Yeah, right. You’re in your thirties and you can’t even beat fifty-year-old Mr. Lowell."

Quincy clutched his chest. "That’s a low blow! Ronan Kendrick and Mr. Lowell are both veterans. They’ve had professional training!"

"Fine, forget them. Can you beat Mr. Graham?"

"Mr. Graham is a cop! His skills are nothing to sneeze at, either."

Wyatt Vaughn was left speechless.

Evelyn Ford had to suppress a laugh as she listened. The car moved at a steady, unhurried pace. ’Sheridan City is surrounded by mountains on all four sides,’ she thought. ’I wonder what’s become of it?’

’I secretly topped off the fuel tank earlier, but I’ll still need to scavenge for more gasoline once we reach Sheridan City.’

’I just wonder if there are any survivors left.’ Evelyn Ford glanced out the window. The sky was thick with mosquitos, and the endless day showed no sign of ending.

’A new leg of the journey is about to begin.’