It sounded so easy. So tempting.
But before he could say anything, Ekene spoke up, his face serious.
"If we go back to those places... we'll get caught."
He clenched his fists.
"There's a reason Ruth said we had to go through the forest. If we take the obvious roads, they'll be waiting for us. Waiting with open arms."
Karen's face twisted in frustration.
She took a deep breath and shouted,
"Ruth said it in her letter! She told us to go through the forest, but also said if it's too dangerous, we shouldn't force it!"
Her voice trembled with emotion as she pointed around at the endless trees.
"Well, it is dangerous! We've been walking in circles for two weeks! We're starving! We should listen to Ruth! We should leave before something worse happens!"
She turned to Abuchi and the others, her eyes wide, desperate for them to understand.
The forest around them was silent, almost as if it was holding its breath, waiting for their decision.
