Chapter 447 - 59 - Piggy back ride

After several long hours of sleep, Skyy finally woke up. Chen was already preparing to leave the cottage. They needed to return to the base as soon as possible and tell his parents what had happened. More importantly, they needed to prepare for the next asteroid strike and, if possible, find a way to prevent it before it happened.

Chen hurriedly searched through the cottage for anything useful. There wasn't much left, but he managed to find a few candies and tucked them into his bag. They wouldn't last long, but at least they were something to eat along the way.

Skyy slowly rubbed his wrist, frowning when he noticed that the pain was almost completely gone. He looked at Chen with confusion.

"What happened to me?"

"Nothing much. Trexa healed you." Chen nodded toward the little rat, who was sitting nearby with her tiny chest puffed out proudly, clearly pleased with herself.

Skyy grinned and immediately leaned down to gently rub the top of her head. "Oh, thank you, little one."

Trexa squeaked happily and rubbed herself against his hand.

Skyy looked back at Chen, noticing how hurriedly he was moving around the cottage. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I just need to get some information back to the base." Chen continued packing as he spoke. "We can't waste too much time. Can you walk, or should I carry you?"

Skyy shook his head. "I can walk."

He carefully scooped Trexa into his arms before following Chen around the cottage, helping him gather whatever might be useful. There wasn't much to take with them, but they found a few blankets that were still in decent condition. Chen packed them into the bag as well. If they were forced to spend the night outside or couldn't make it back to the base before dark, at least they would have something to keep them warm.

Skyy watched him for a moment before quietly picking up another blanket and folding it.

"Do you think we'll be back before night?"

Chen glanced toward the broken window, where sunlight filtered through the overgrown trees outside.

"I hope so."

He tightened the straps of his bag and looked around the small cottage one last time. They had stayed there longer than intended, and now there was no reason to remain. Whatever waited outside, they needed to keep moving.

Chen opened the door and stepped outside first, scanning the surrounding area carefully before motioning for Skyy and Trexa to follow.

"Stay close," he warned.

Skyy nodded and followed him out, holding Trexa securely against his chest as they left the cottage behind.

The forest stretched ahead of them for miles, the trees growing so thick that in some places they blocked out most of the sky.

Chen kept a steady pace, occasionally glancing back to make sure Skyy was still following.

At first, Skyy managed well enough, stepping carefully over exposed roots and fallen branches while keeping Trexa tucked safely in his arms. But as the hours passed, his steps gradually became slower.

His breathing grew heavier.

He tried not to complain and kept going, but eventually even that became difficult.

His legs felt heavier with every step, and he had to pause several times just to catch his breath.

When Chen looked back again, Skyy was several meters behind him, bent slightly forward with his hands resting on his knees.

Chen paused for him.

Skyy straightened immediately, as though he had been caught doing something wrong, and hurried to catch up. He barely made it a few steps before his breathing became ragged again.

"Wait," Chen said, slowing down.

Skyy shook his head and tried to continue. "I'm fine."

Chen worriedly glanced toward the sky. The light had already begun to fade between the trees, turning the forest darker by the minute. They still had no idea how far they were from the base, and staying out in the wild after dark was far too risky. There could be zombies nearby, and they wouldn't be able to see them coming until it was too late.

They needed somewhere to rest.

Frowning, Chen walked back toward Skyy and stopped in front of him. Without saying anything else, he squatted down and turned his back to him.

"Get on."

Skyy froze.

"No. I can walk."

"We don't have much time." Chen glanced over his shoulder. "The sun is setting. I can move faster even with you on my back."

"But—"

"Skyy."

The firm tone left little room for argument.

Chen pulled the backpack around to his front so it wouldn't get in the way and waited. After a moment of hesitation, Skyy finally stepped closer. He carefully climbed onto Chen's back, wrapping his arms around his shoulders while Chen reached back to secure his legs.

The moment Skyy settled against him, Chen felt the warmth of his body through their clothes. Skyy was still slightly warm and sweaty from all the walking, and his weight rested comfortably against his back.

His breathing was close to his ear, still uneven but gradually slowing now that he no longer had to walk.

Chen cleared his throat and adjusted his grip beneath Skyy's legs.

"Hold on properly."

Skyy tightened his arms around Chen's shoulders. "Like this?"

"Yeah."

Chen stood and immediately felt the added weight. It wasn't unbearable, but he had to adjust his balance for the first few steps.

Skyy's body moved slightly with each stride, his cheek occasionally brushing against the side of his neck whenever the ground became uneven.

Chen focused on the path ahead.

He had carried injured people before. He had carried friends back to camp after missions. This shouldn't have felt any different.

And yet, for some reason, he was suddenly far too aware of the person resting against his back.

He pushed the thought aside and increased his pace.

Skyy, meanwhile, slowly relaxed. The steady rhythm of Chen's footsteps made it easier to breathe, and he rested his chin lightly against Chen's shoulder. From this height, the forest looked different. He could see over the lower bushes and tangled plants, watching the fading sunlight slip between the branches as Chen carried him deeper into the woods.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

The only sounds were Chen's footsteps, the rustling leaves, and Skyy's quiet breathing.

After walking for some time, Chen finally spotted something through the trees.

A large structure stood ahead, partially hidden by overgrown vegetation. Its walls were stained and weathered, and several of the windows were broken. From the size and shape of the building, it looked like some kind of old factory or industrial facility.

Chen slowed as he approached, carefully scanning the surroundings.

It was remote, isolated, and there didn't seem to be anywhere else nearby that offered shelter.

"We'll stay there tonight," Chen said.

Skyy lifted his head from Chen's shoulder and looked toward the building.

"Is it safe?"

Chen stared at the dark windows for a moment.

"I don't know."

He shifted Skyy slightly higher on his back before continuing toward the entrance.

"But it's better than sleeping out here."