A man is hidden in a peculiar forest untouched by humans, where the animals and plant-life thrive. He keeps a watchful eye to make sure the peace isn't disturbed when one day, a young woman is found venturing his world. He is unsure what to make of...
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My eyes felt as though they had been glued shut as I pry the lids open to greet the morning, my mind still feeling exhausted, even after my peaceful rest. My body aches from the position I had laid in as I force myself to sit up and stretch my limbs. Afterwards, I run a hand through my hair only to feel disgusted by it's greasy texture.
'I should bathe in the stream at some point.' Though I'd love to feel clean again, there was a concern hanging over my head. What if that person shows up again? What if they're watching me? I'd be too paranoid to properly wash myself. I find myself surprised when I look over to my left. Sitting there, on the ground beside me, is a thin slab of bark, which acts as a plate for the hefty amount of blackberries that sat in a messy pile on the wood.
'Didtheyputthishere?' I wonder anxiously, knowing that the stranger had likely returned while I had been asleep. I bring the bark onto my folded legs and hesitate to bring one of the berries to my lips. They don't look out of the ordinary to me and don't appear to be tampered with in any way.
My stomach growls in anger at my tease, causing me to sigh as I pop the first berry into my mouth, which instantly began watering at the taste. As I do this, I take notice that the mouse the being had brought yesterday has disappeared, so I think they must've taken it. Just as I reach for another blackberry, the sound of a flute plays from right outside the cave, causing me to jump in fright and nearly knock over the rest of the fruits. My body instinctively trembles as I crane my neck to peer out the mouth of the cave, and I tense upon spotting a figure sitting on a branch of one of the nearby trees. In their hands is the instrument I hear, but they're too far up to distinguish any features not hidden by their mask.
I bite back the pain of my hunger as my stomach accompanies the soft sound of the flute with ungodly growls, and I look back at the berry in my hand. It physically hurt to stare at it, so I quickly pop it into my mouth like the last one before hurriedly devouring the rest. I couldn't seem to restrain myself. They tasted so good! I wish I had savored them more. Even when the bark was left empty, my stomach yearned for more food. It wasn't enough, but it certainly helped.
I rub the back of my sore neck as I peer over to the pile of wood I have stacked neatly in a pile. I want to make more weapons to hunt with and some traps, if I can manage, but I also need to make a fire. These are things I can't keep putting off. I stand up and dust off my clothes before grabbing the rock I use to collect water. By then, the music had stopped, leaving only the chirping of birds to fill the air as I poke my head out to look around. I can't see them anymore.
