The Adventures of Rey & Prawn

iii

At a point our legs were burning slightly, begging for rest and that is exactly what we decided to do after coming across a relatively large tree. It was much larger than the others. Taking a seat underneath the tree I realize that the sky is getting darker, my first thought is to try make camp somewhere. I mean that's what people do when they're lost right? From all the survival shows I used to watch I'd never have thought that I'd be put in a position where I actually needed the knowledge.

Although my knowledge is highly limited on how to craft a shelter, I know we could make a makeshift two-person tent thing (honestly just about anything to make the night more comfortable) out of whatever we find. I don't think that would be all too difficult, even for two inexperienced people like Prawn and I. Regardless of the lack of hands-on experience, I do know that it would also be better sleeping together for warmth, which would help with comfort and safety. However, even though I say that I can't help but to be freaked out because there's a real possibility we could die – and yes, that is pessimistic, but I prefer to call it realistic. I'm just glad I'm not alone, that I'm here with Prawn and that in itself is as comforting as a weighted blanket.

Looking at Prawn with his shoes and socks off as he massages his feet, as thoughts of our limited knowledge on how to build shelter bring on a barrage of realizations. That ultimately makes me understand how screwed we could be. Like we have no experience roughing it, I can fish but I've never gutted one, I've never had to make a rod out of nothing, neither of us know how to find water and how in seven hells will we start a fire? Oh fuck, we are going to die.

I suppose we just need to survive tonight and then we'll just have to survive the next day and the next. Just take it a day at a time and hope we don't starve or something. I suppose the first priority has to be finding water, then food, but first...

"Hey Prawn, I was thinking maybe we should set up camp for the night. I feel like the sun may set soon and I do not want to freeze to death, that'll be embarrassing." I try and make light of a dark situation. I can only hope he isn't as freaked out as I am, but I'm sure that I am not the only one having those thoughts.

"Yeah." He's quiet for a bit, "Do you think we're going to die here? Wherever 'here' is." He asks, pulling his legs into his chest and looking around a bit.

"Nah, we're Rey and the Prawn. Maybe we'll be hungry for a bit, but we won't die." I try give a smile but my lips barely twitch upwards. "At least, I hope not." I whisper to the ground.

We sat in silence taking in our new surroundings, realizing that this just may be our new reality, it just feels so much like a dream. As if this couldn't possibly be happening, yet it somehow was. It made the want to get home intensify. Home... to parents that want us to live unhappy lives. Having very scripted lives, which is awfully suffocating and in all the worst possible ways. I've never seriously considered running away. Purely because I never thought it could be an option, but being lost in the wilderness for just a few hours (I assume) has brought on a feeling I haven't felt in ages. The feeling of being free and I'm unsure if I really want to give that away so soon.

Although being lost is not the best circumstances to be in, and even at the best of times I'm scared and fearful that Prawn and I won't make it through this experience, being able to feel free for even a moment makes it all seem worthwhile. It's exciting and exhilarating to feel like a choice I make is mine and whatever the outcome, it is something I decided for myself. It wasn't predetermined, it wasn't planned by anyone else. I'm able to make a choice and live with the consequences and I've never felt so free to finally be able to do that.

After successfully making camp, which consisted of a roughly built – and very small – twig and leaf teepee-tent, Prawn and I were able to fall asleep. It was a long night, due to the weird and unfamiliar sounds of the animals in the forest. I think it would have gone better if we knew what sorts of creatures dwell within the forest that surrounded us, it felt like falling asleep under constant surveillance. Or rather falling asleep with one eye open. It was a creepy experience, but ultimately one that I tried convincing myself was irrational, which helped.