Characters: Elena Gabriella Véga, Julia Matthews, Blue Eyes, and Ash

Rating: PG-13

Romance, Humor, Violence

Chapter 2: Further ahead

Heading up to the forest only took about thirty minutes, Julia stopped the truck and pulled out a camera we found last month.

"You wanna take a picture with the sign" She gestured outside, and I nodded. Why not make memories now?

We both got out and both posed in front of the Redwoods sign as Julia took the picture. Though we had to be careful on the battery usage since we'll be in the middle of the forest for awhile.

"So ready to explore this god forsaken forest?" Julia chirped and I put on a soldier salute "Ay ay Captain! Lead on" We both laughed as we got back in the truck.

"So where do you want to set up our campsite at?" Julia questioned as she drove slowly, and I thought for a bit "Close to a lake" I suggested and she agreed with the idea. We followed an old trail that had old signs of the docks farther out in the Redwoods. I looked up at the sky, and the tree's.

The overpowering tree's is what amazed me the most. The sun glistened through the ivy, green leaves and the darkened, crimson bark was gleaming from the moss that covered it from the sun.

"I was thinking Lena, what happens if there is something out here, something we never expected" I stayed quiet for a bit, but shrugged "I don't know exactly Jules, we could at least be prepared".

After a while longer we reached the docks, pebbles all around, open area. Logs to sit on, and the lake went far out. It was perfect, and open.

"Hey Julia I'm gonna walk around for a bit, we don't have to set up the camp just yet" I stated, and jumped out of the passengers seat, taking my machete with me. I walked along the edge of the lake.

I heard a snap and looked down, I arched an eyebrow as I picked up the object. It looked like a carved small spear, used for fishing.

With fresh blood on the tip, my overprotective instinct came over me as I glanced around the brush of the woods, and the farther end of the lake.

There were no tracks of anyone being here, maybe someone came before us? Which was actually impossible, the last time people even stepped in these woods, that I heard of was from ten years ago.

I tried to push the thought aside and threw the small spear to my left, and walked back to the truck.

"See anything interesting Lena?" Julia asked as she was taking out her backpack from the truck, and I nodded slightly, "Yeah just a small spear..." I didn't want to mention the fresh blood to her though.

"Oh, it's probably old then" She said. I kind of wish it were true. Julia has always been the reassuring type, and she was one of my first best friends along with Alexander. She actually helped me cope with my depression after my father died in the explosion, along with when I forced myself to get out of depression as well.

The Colony, Lena POV, 2022~

I hugged my knee's tightly to my chest as I tried to steady my breathing. But the tears kept on falling, and I sniffed. I hated this, it was too soon, my father died way too soon. Just like my Mama. I felt someone tap my shoulder, I looked up slightly.

It was a young girl, perhaps a year younger. With wild, red hair that blended well with the platinum blond in her hair that was so curly. She had a heart shaped face, and big, wonder-like eyes that were a sparkling sky blue, and had dark beige skin.

The tears were still falling as I looked away, shuddering "I know how you feel" She spoke quietly in a wind, chime voice and I faced her "W-What?..." She nodded as she crouched in front of me, "My mother and father died too, from the flu, I know what's it like to be alone".

I wasn't completely alone though, I had Hope who was right now going under medic training for the Colony, and she tried every way she can to get me better.

"But sometimes you got to look at life right, and hope for the better, if you keep on fighting, and look on the brighter side of things, you'll be happy!" She gleamed, and I wiped my eyes with my sleeves, the girl suddenly hugged me, and I tensed up.

Though I didn't want to be rude, so I hugged her anyways "W-What's your name?..." I asked quietly, "Hope sent me, she knew you needed a friend! And oh my name is Julia, Julia Matthews" I smiled slightly, Hope was right I did need a friend close to my age at this time of plaque.

"I'm Elena Gabriella Véga, but you can just call me Lena" I said, and Julia smiled brightly.

"Nice to me you!"

Present time~

I couldn't help, but grin at the memory.

I sighed as I breathed in the fresh, cool mountain air. Taking in the scenery that still amazed me. It felt like a nice day though.

"Hey Jules let's go up for a hike, maybe we'll see something" I suggested, and Julia threw me my backpack and we both made our way down a different path right after we locked up the truck.

Julia climbed over a tree that was burned, and scorched. We were in the area the forest fire happened in the Redwoods some years ago.

That made me stop in my tracks, I remember when I was a child that on the news. It showed footage of something that happened on the Golden Gate Bridge, some Rebellion, or Revolution of Apes, led by a young Chimpanzee who was raised by a scientist named Will Rodman.

And before coming here, I overheard students from my school talking about the forest fire that occurred here, when the Apes lived in the Redwoods.

I then felt a chill go through me as I thought...Are they still here? The apes?

"No" I thought to myself, as I laughed quietly. It was impossible, the forest fire I heard of was so terrible here that it probably killed all the apes.

"Lena! Are you gonna stand there all day?" Julia joked, and I smirked, "Just lost in thought Jules" I said as I jumped over the burnt fallen tree, and she rolled her eyes, "Show off..." I snickered at her response.

The rest of the hike was uneventful as we walked down a path, Julia was glancing around the large tree's, and I stopped, I got an uneasy feeling. So I faced Julia, "Jules we should get back" I suggested.

"Oh...okay?" She replied, we were both planning to go walk farther, but that feeling I got told me not to, but I was curious though.

As soon as we got back, I set up the tent. Julia volunteered to find sticks, and maybe a log or two to get a fire going. It was probably the afternoon now, 3:00 or 2:00.

Later the tent was set up and ready, and we got a small fire started. And our stuff was still in the truck, so we wouldn't worry about wild animals get snoopy around possessions.

"Hey Lena, how do you feel about being in the Redwoods?" Julia suddenly questioned, and I looked and saw she was holding a video recorder we found, and I covered my face "Jules! Seriously?" I looked away, as she laughed, "Oh come on, we need everyone to see what goes on in the Redwoods, like a documentary".

I shook my head as I smiled, "Fine, but not right now, I feel too tired to talk" She clicked her tongue, "Your talking right now".

"Well, in all honesty I just don't feel like doing a interview," And she turned off the recorder, "Okay Lena, fine..." Julia then went to the back door of the truck, and took out two containers of food that Hope made for us; Which was dry meat, crackers, fruit, and on the side soup.

I still remember two years ago when the Colony was such on a low food shortage, a lot of people starved almost. I lost much weight the first year, but somehow we managed in going to nearby colonies who had endless supplies of food stored in a few small colonies, much smaller than ours. It still didn't change the fact that many people died from malnutrition and starvation during the first year.

Soon enough, I heard we might start a trading system between food and weapons, and other supplies. Drefyus the leader of the Colony, has been trying for months to get in contact with a Military base, but there has been more rumors going around that it's impossible. How do we know there are others out there.

That's all the Colony was, full of rumors that will get everyone freaked.

Sometime after we ate, I gazed upon the night sky, it was Twilight. When the dawn was no more and darkness shadowed over the Earth, the clouds were away I guess as the moon shined so brightly, it was beautiful.

Julia and I hit the hay, as we went inside the tent. And again I drifted off to sleep, I was hoping this day would've been more exciting, but who knows what might happen later on.

Later~

"Blue Eyes are you sure this is where you saw the smoke?" A speckled faced, gray chimp signed his friend as they walked out to the docks.

The one named Blue Eyes grunted a yes, and his eyes locked on a tent, "Ash, Look" He signed and pointed to the tent, and Ash looked forward, and tensed up "What is that?" Blue Eyes tensed up as well, as the fur on his back stood up, and slowly walked to the tent.

Ash looked around and saw part of the tent open, and the moonlight shined upon a young girl. Around sixteen years-old and she looked peaceful, but was startled Blue Eyes popping next to him.

"Humans" Was all Blue Eyes spoke, as he sneered and paced around the tent defensive, Ash looked at his best friend, "Blue Eyes, they don't seem like their trouble" Blue Eyes shook his head, "Do you know what Humans did to our kind many years ago?" Ash nodded.

Blue Eyes sighed as he tried to get a better look inside; Two humans, but one really caught his eye.

The human that was on the left from the red haired girl, had a soft narrow face. Her eye lashes long. Thick, wavy dark, ginger hair that was long. And had a splash of freckles all over her face, though he froze when her golden, brown eyes opened, and back away.

Lena's POV~

My eyes snapped open from the sound of footsteps, and grunts. I didn't move, but the shadows glared on the tent, the moon shined perfectly on. I gasped in shock, it was like some human, mixed with an animal. I nudged Julia awake, and she groaned as her curls were in her face.

"Lena wh-" I put my hand over her mouth, and shushed her. Julia glared, but she caught sight of the shadows and her eyes widened.

"We leave now" I signed quickly, and I grabbed her hand as we shoved our way through the opening of the tent and ran off.

I was running till my legs were sore, but I didn't care, though I did care that I left my weapon in the tent. Julia breathed as she held her chest, and stopped for a second, "L-Lena..." She panted "I think we've...lost them".

But I heard a thump behind, and I felt my blood run cold.

Julia was pale as a ghost, I bit my lip anxiously, fearful, but then I swung to my right as I did a high kick maneuver, and kicked whoever was behind me, though the creature pinned me down, and snarled in my face, the eyes had me entranced, and the snarls stopped. Though I kept my eyes shut, not wanting to see it's face.

"Lena!" Julia screamed. And she picked up a stick and whacked it in the face as it shrieked in pain.

I wiggled my way out from under it, and went to Julia quickly.

"I didn't mean to hurt it!" Julia bursted, and I gaped at her "You didn't mean to hurt it!?", but I saw the creature stood up, and I went in front of Julia protectively. Though I was put into shock what I saw.

It was a Chimpanzee, young, and his posture was straight which made him taller. He had pure black fur that had a little tint of midnight blue, and the skin on him was a pale beige color. His face had such human qualities. Though his eyes is what entranced me.

Such ice, blue eyes, that had a stubborn, but pure and powerful soul. I remember those eyes I dreamed of a few days ago, just seeing that eye color in the darkness of the brush.

The ape touched the side of his face, it was a cut from the stick, and there was blood.

Another Chimpanzee jumped next to him, his fur was a dark gray, his face with light speckles. And light green eyes, that matched the light evergreen. He wasn't as tall next to the other ape, but was only a tiny bit smaller. He had human like qualities as well.

I glared, these Apes were not normal, they had an intelligent quality to them, "If you want us your going have to through me" I spat.

"Lena! Please don't try to get them pissed off" She warned, and I backed off. I don't know who or why these Apes are here, but I'm not gonna let them dig fear into me.

These were the Apes that are still present in the Redwoods.

I stood headstrong, glaring at the both of them.

"See Blue Eyes, we got them pissed off, we should've just let them mind their own business and not bother them".

I blinked my eyes a few times, they can sign?

I scrunched my eyebrows together, trying to process this through, so I walked up to them "You can sign?" I gestured to them.

The one that was called Blue Eyes faced me and grunt "Yes".

I backed off, "Julia the ape flipping spoke, he flipping spoke!" I blurted out, I bet if anyone were in my shoes right now they would think the same way. Julia nodded slowly, freaked out as well.

Though the way he spoke, it sent a chill down my spine, it was rough, and sounded young.

"Man, this human acts she never heard an ape speak" Blue Eyes signed to the speckled ape, and they both snickered, and I glared "Right here folks, Right here...and for your information..." I walked up to Blue Eyes, facing his ice cold eyes as I looked up.

"I've never heard an ape speak, your animals, animals don't talk. And right now this is hella weird for me" I spoke firmly.

"Ugh, Lena..." Julia sighed as she face palmed, shaking her head "Don't try to have an argument with the ape".

"I'm not, I'm just stating how I feel right now" I pronounced, as I faced the Ape sternly, as I crossed my arms and he did the same.

The speckled ape cleared his threat, and we faced him, "Look, you two need to stop with the stare down, and Blue Eyes should we take them to your father?" The ape signed.

"Wait what?" Julia and I asked in unison.

"You can't force us to come with you" Julia said worried, the speckled ape faced her "We're not, it's just that we'll your on our land, and Caesar decides if you stay or not".

I scoffed, "Again, do you know how weird this is, I mean I'm finding it weird right now that I'm having a conversation with apes! This is freaking odd" I finished, and Blue Eyes sighed annoyed, and turned to the gray ape.

No POV~

Blue Eyes started signing frantic at Ash, "Ash, we can't trust them, Koba has told me what humans are like!" Ash nodded, "I know, I know, but your Father told me that there's a good side to humans, so let's just take them to the village, and see what your Father does".

Blue Eyes sighed in defeat as he turned to the humans, who still looked freaked. He then faced Ash and muttered.

"Fine".

Stay tuned for Chapter 3!