A Mist of Frozen Ashes

Chapter 2

Patience is not one of my virtues, never has been and likely never will be. Day two's eight-mile trek in my search for something other than trees and grass yielded no results. Day three's results were more of the same. By day four I decided to pack up everything I'd gathered and set out away from the lab. I would either find people or die trying. A rash decision? Perhaps; however, anything is better than staring at the broken glass and moldy walls. Maybe I'll finally find that pheasant. I have a craving for chicken and that's the only native bird that'll fit the bill unless there's a grocery store nearby. Which, now that I think about it, wouldn't do me any good because I'm broke. Luckily, I have dropboxes for these types of emergencies. I have no idea where I am geographically but if I can find my way to Moscow, I'll be set.

The sun is warm, heating the moist earth beneath my feet. Constant popping in my ears competes with the soothing sounds of the forest. There's a cool breeze blowing in from the direction of the mountain range. I would love nothing more than to tighten the drawstrings on my hoodie but it's going to impair my hearing. Staying alert and aware of my surroundings is as easy as breathing. The lessons from my commanding officer have been so deeply engraved into my skin that I wouldn't be able to forget them if I wanted to. The air in this region is so fresh and the atmosphere is tranquil. Would I be able to live out here, I wonder. I could build a crappy hovel and hunt for food. Survive, sure, but we humans are social creatures. We require mental stimulation from others to thrive. Even those like me, who prefer the company of oneself. No, I surmise, I wouldn't like the isolation very much.

About four hours in, based on the sun's positioning, my pace slowed considerably. I'm exhausted already? I guess laying on your ass for years does a number on your stamina. I'll need to take some time to get my body back in proper condition. The thought of a good training regime brings a smile to my face. I love pushing my body to its limits, molding it like clay. Choosing the largest tree in my vicinity, I settle my back against its wide trunk and close my eyes. Days, sometimes weeks spent in enemy territory taught me to master the ability to give my body proper rest without falling into the REM stage of sleep. Being able to move at a moment's notice could mean the difference between life and death.

Two hours, on rough terrain, is the most I can run at a steady pace before needing to take a break. Proper shoes would help too. This morning's run was the best I've had in a long time. The forest felt alive and magnetic. I could feel the energy humming beneath my skin. Sweet water trickles down my throat as I tilt the tumbler back. I use my new weapon, a metal rod from the lab's debris, to move low-hanging branches from obscuring my path. My mood is high today. Between the run, fresh water, and abundance of food within this forest, I feel damn near optimistic. If the record holds, something will go wrong soon but for right now, in this one moment, I want to indulge in my positive attitude.

Cuts and scrapes mar my fingers and toes. Tree climbing without proper attire is like sex without condoms. It's just not wise. But whoever said I was wise? Perched atop the thick branch, I'm blessed with a breathtaking view of the sprawling greenery before me. From this vantage point, I'm able to get a solid idea of the terrain ahead of me. Squinting, I can almost make out a clearing in the distance. My hands clamp onto the branch above. I pause for a moment before pulling my body up onto the new vantage point. Not only is that a break in the trees but it's a road! About three days Southeast.

"Is that a fucking bear?!" Startled, my foot slips from the branch. I yelp as my hands fail to find purchase and I go tumbling to the ground. Pained grunts are forced out as I crash through the leaves and branches. The air is knocked from my lungs like a punch to the gut when I fall onto a particularly thick branch. My feeble arms try to hang onto the offending bough but alas, my body hits the solid earth with a resounding thud.

"Fuuuck." How am I not dead yet? I'm an occupational hazard to myself. I think I'm going to lay here, on my back, staring at the sky. Moving seems like such a daunting task. My body aches all over. How'd I ever fall anyway? Oh yea, I thought I saw a bear. You know, one of those big-ass brown bears with cute ears and terrifying teeth. There's just no way my karma is that bad. A twig snap and warning grumble later, I stand corrected. I'm unable to stop the pained groaning as I drag myself up, using the tree as leverage against my back. Fucking bears. Gathering my pole and bag, I jog unsteadily in the direction of the road. My body is too beat up to perform a proper run but the more distance I put between me and that beast, the better.