A Man With One Winchester, and Two Bullets

Chapter 12

I rested after the raid, and when I awoke all was calm. The stench of burned flesh filled the air, and no one was about.

I had cleaned and bandaged my wound, and it should begin healing. My sleep had filled me with much needed energy, and I was ready to set out again.

I took all the needed supplies from the camp. Canned meat, water, etc, it would last me a week or so.

I was still surprised by Nicholas, and I shouldn't be. For, I knew I would meet him again, and he could be at any camp I raid, but yet I was surprised.

I knew I must face him on this journey, I knew I would most likely kill him or him me, but to see him so soon I did not suspect.

I cooked rice and broiled some deer meat, and had a tasty breakfast. I then set out. I set out with a pack, a bow, a gun, a knife, and my thoughts. My thoughts of which no scientist could take.

While I walked I spotted a few tracks, and these weren't of a animal's. A man had sprouted left of my route, and they looked fresh. I ignored them and kept going, for I couldn't waste time. I must escape before harsh winter comes, a bitter cold of which I have not seen yet. The nights grew chilly, and some nights were miserably cold, yet there was a bitter cold that would soon reach me.

I walked long, staying observant. The tweeting of birds were throughout the forest today. The constant chirp-chirp made my pace for the morning.

At noon I spotted a crude carving in a tree.

THERE IS NO ESCAPE

A rather sad quote, but my mood remained cheerful. For the tweets of the birds, and the long blue sky could never bring a man completely down.

At night I ate some of the canned meat, it was a fish of some sort, and it wasn't very tasty, but my long travels made me eat it.

When I woke the screaming of speakers filled the air, and the usual voice rang loud.

"You did it! You managed too destroy TWO camps! No one has ever got this far, no, no, no!", then he added, "But the game is just beginning! Yes, yes! The very fun game!"

He ended with that, and I cursed aloud. "That fool! I shall escape him, whether this be the end or beginning, he shall die by my hands!"

I opened another can of meat this day, and this was much more tasty. I ate happily, but my mood was not at its peak.

As I walked, thoughts swarmed me. Would I escape? Would I leave this living hell?! I did not know, but I knew I would kill Nicholas before the end, and that idiot scientist.

What awaited me at the edge of the forest? Was it freedom? Or was it a wall of which I couldn't pass? Was this whole forest a simple cage of which I was in? I bet it was, but once I reach the wall, I shall pass it. I would destroy it if I must, I would escape!

I came upon a small clearing where dear ate, and I shot a nice big one. I cut the good, fatty strips, took the hide, and hid the carcass.

The day was gloomy. The sun did not shine, but the wind blew fierce. O how fierce it blew! How cold the days grew!

By noon it was raining, and I took shelter in a small cave only to find a bear beginning his hibernation. He jumped at me in the small space, and I shot at him with my gun. We battled long, for once my gun had no ammo left, it was a brawl of the fist.

It clawed my leg, but I landed a punch in its face. I threw a punch at its belly, but it slashed at my arm, ending in a burning sensation. I began punching viciously at the bear, hitting it in the snout. Screaming I was as the brawl went on, and I finally landed a blow so hard it knocked the bear down. Quickly pulling out my saxe, I slashed it into its eye.

From that fight I knew, it's quite difficult to beat a bear with you bare hands.

I took the beautiful fur, and tasty meat then cleaned my wounds. My leg was badly scraped, and my arm was caked in blood. Cleaning it was painful, but once done I felt much better.

I made a small fire in the cave, and broiled the bear meat. "A reward a man gets from killing a bear with his hands and a knife!" I howled into the night.

But, what I did not suspect was a sly whisper back. A small yelp made out only for those which pure hearing. Yes, a voice so faint I could not make out the words.

"Hullo?" I said into the darkness of the cave.

"Aye, boy, how you..."

From the shadows a man collapsed before me. A man with bullet shots and huge gashes.

"You old fool, what happened to escape in small tunnels?"