CARSON RAE
The early sun provided little warmth against the biting chill; the cold wound it's way into everything. Eventually, as the days grew shorter, the cold would seep into the very bones of the rebels, blanketing them in a miserable existence that would last for months. It had yet to get to that point, however, and Carson Rae was taking advantage of it. His footsteps were loud and destructive as his feet struck the ground, driving him through the woods. He didn't always run in the morning, but he liked to. It made him feel free and powerful, like he could run to the ends of the earth and back. In reality, he couldn't run far at all, seeing as they would all be killed were they discovered by the enemy.
He pounded his way through the trees, tripping several times over roots, but never making contact with the nearly frozen ground. He wasn't sure how long he ran, but he decided to turn around when he felt a pain blossom in his right side. By the time he made it back to his tent, the pain had looped around to the other side and clasped onto his ribs. It felt amazing.
Using a bowl of freezing water, he cleaned himself off as best he could and changed into some of the warmer clothes he had stuffed somewhere into his bag. His boots were barely tied when he left the tent once again and went to find something to drink; his mouth was hoarse with cold air and heavy breathing.
Carson spent the next hour or so sipping on freezing water and talking with other guys who were early risers as well. They mostly talked about the rescue mission the rebellion had enacted and succeeded in a week ago; it was all anyone ever talked about. It had been a huge boost in morale, showing the motley group they were doing some good. Carson wasn't on the group that had gone, seeing as he lacked the skills to complete the mission effectively, but his sister had been. He'd never been more proud.
The sun rose higher and the rest of the rebellion stirred awake, the smell of food wafting into their dreams. It was hard to resist the smell of real food and the lovely heat of a fire.
"El, you're up!" Carson called, noticing his sister exiting her tent. He jogged over to her, "It's about time, little sister." He placed his arm around her shoulders, as he had since they were kids. He laughed as she mentioned food - Elliot had always been in love with food, it was a wonder she'd survived this long with having to ration it.
Carson let her go as she grabbed a bowl from somewhere, or someone, his nose crinkling at the way she scarfed it down without any hesitation. His eyes left her, scanning the immediate area. Their little rebellion was awake, the people milling around exchanging pleasantries or staggering from nasty hangovers. It seemed their week long celebration was coming to an end.