Alena waited in silence for for Erika to come back, enjoying a few moments rest beside the river. She had watched the stream, small, silvery fish swimming by. They wouldn't be good for food, not that she was fast enough to catch them, but she knew they'd have to do something other than berries eventually. Her feet were feeling better, as were her hands, at least for now. If they could keep their wounds clean they might just make it.

When Erika returned she smiled, glad to not be alone. She was afraid someone would come up, and she'd be forced to run, and if she had to run, how would she ever find Erika again? They needed each other, they couldn't do this alone, she couldn't do this alone. Despite Erika's words she only took half of the berries, knowing they both needed their strength to continue. Popping a berry in her mouth she sighed, it tasted good, sweet. "Thank you." She mumbled, eating more of the berries, wanting to keep moving before it got dark. They needed a safer place to sleep tonight, and she hoped to find one.

She lifted her battered feet from the water, the pale sole still stained from the years of soot and grim, a permanent mark of her captivity. "We need to keep moving, I'll be alright." It felt strange having someone care about her, she didn't want to be a burden. She stood, shaking the water off her feet the best she could before she stepped away, wondering which way they had come from.