The End

Chapter 15: Alone and Lost

Matt was able to climb a tree in the woods. This was difficult with his wounds, but it wasn't impossible. After propping himself up against the tree and balancing between two branches he pulled out his radio. Hesitantly, his thumb pushed the power button. Nothing but static filled the air. Disappointed, Matt turned off the radio and thrust it into his forehead.

"I was stupid to think that would work." His eyes were closed as he spoke.

An excruciating headache had found its place in his brain. With all the blood loss, his whole body was going into shock. Matt's teeth grinded against each other, he couldn't afford to make a peep. The day was only 1:23 in the afternoon. Creatures were no doubt surrounding the forest. If he made a sound they could find him.

Matt raised his head and searched the surrounding trees. Nothing. Jake was the one used to the harsh survival environments, not him. He knew basic survival tactics, but not to the level as Jake. With another sigh Matt climbed down from the tree. He needed to find a creek to clean his wounds and get something to drink. However, before that he needed some protein.

On his hands and knees, Matt was able to dig up a couple of worms.

"This is so sick." He muttered as he gulped them down.

Hopefully, this would give him enough strength to continue. Lucky for him, he heard rushing water a couple miles in front of him. He swiftly ran through the trees, being careful not to make too much noise. He couldn't even feel his right arm anymore, but that didn't matter. As long as he could still fight with his left, he was fine. Or at least that's what he kept telling himself.

Finally, he reached the stream. Matt did a quick search of the place, nothing seemed to be there. So, he quickly, but carefully removed his jacket and shirt. He used one of his knives and tore his jacket into pieces.

"Sorry, my old friend." He spoke as he ripped off a few more pieces.

Then, he started a fire, but he built a special fire Jake had taught him. It was called an upside down fire, which caused the smoke to go into the ground instead up to where people could see it. As the fire heated, Matt placed one of older knives in the flames. Then he used one piece of his jacket to cleanse his wounds. Some were already infected badly, but he dug into them, trying to clean them as thoroughly as he could.

The wounds were excruciating, but he never once said a word, or hesitated. He had to do this if he was going to survive, pain was no stranger to him. Once he was done, he wrapped up his hands and arms with some of the strips of his leather jacket. His stomach wounds, however, were much more complicated. The bleeding still hadn't stopped from the slash it received from the wolf.

"I hate doing this." He mumbled as he walked over to the fire.

Matt pulled out his knife, which was now glowing red from the heat. He sat himself on a rock near the stream. Then, he took one of his jacket strips and shoved it in his mouth. He knew what he had to do. With a deep breath Matt placed the burning blade on his wound. Instantly his flesh began melting from the heat. He wanted to scream, and not even the cloth could keep the noise out. Little cries of pain whimpered through the cloth, but the pain was soon over. After his stomach stopped bleeding, Matt took the last jacket strips and wrapped up his body.

He was tender and sore, but at least the bleeding stopped, and his wounds were cleaned. Matt sluggishly stood up and walked over to retrieve his shirt. After carefully putting it back on he took a few sips of water. Then he once again dug into the dirt and found a few insects. Matt closed his eyes and ate the bugs.

Then he returned to the cover of the trees. He was able to climb fairly high on one of them, which gave him a good vantage point of the landscape. Since leaving the farmhouse he had become completely lost. Now he needed to find out where he was and what was going to be his next move.