Morning broke with heavy hearts and anxious minds. The makeshift travois creaked as they packed it with essentials—food, blankets, water, and precious memories they couldn’t bear to leave behind. Roman tied the last knot tightly, his hands calloused and steady. Ivy Mae tucked in a small satchel of art supplies, knowing they’d need an outlet for their thoughts and feelings on this journey. Jas lingered, hesitant, holding a small photo frame they’d saved from the quake.
The first steps were slow and awkward. The weight of the travois dragged against the uneven terrain, and Jas found themselves struggling almost immediately. “Keep your head up,” Roman said, his voice steady. “We’ll adjust as we go.” But inside, he worried—about Jas, about Ivy Mae, about himself. Could they make it?
As the cabin disappeared behind them, the realization of leaving everything they knew sank in. They pressed on, the distant mountains their only guide.