Been a quiet few days. Dad and I ain’t talking much. Wish he would say something to me cause I don’t know what to say to him. All he says is we keep on going. I dunno why we bother. No point. But I know if I said that out loud, it’d just make him feel worse. No point in that either.

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I found a small hatchet though it’s fixing to fall apart. As is it might break if it hit anything. Least Pop finally made both of us laugh. After I showed him how beat up the hatchet was he started posing with it and flexing. Telling me that my hero had arrived. So stupid that it worked. Once he was done fooling he handed it back to me. Asked me to fix it up as best I could and hang on to it for him. Keep it close. Knew he was thinking about Ma.

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I think we just saw Jake? I don’t know. We been out here for five days now so we shoulda been getting close to the lake. I was about to ask Pop something when he stopped and told me to get on the ground. He pointed at a group of people. Maybe ten or so a little ways up ahead. A few of em were wearing masks and holding rifles. They were shoving the rest, who were all tied up. I was scared they would see us but I just kept staring at the masked man in front. He was wearing Jake’s jacket! It had the patches we put on and everything. Tried to tell Pop but he wouldn’t listen. He has to be caught up in some kinda trouble! Why would Jake help those folks?

We hid til sundown. Pop wanted us to wait til they were long gone. But if that group was heading for the lake we’ll see em again. When we do I’m bringing Jake back with or without Pop.