Vermillion Dawn

[11] Nowhere

I realized I was an absolute idiot. 

I had fallen asleep on the river bank and when I woke up, it was almost dark. Anything could have happened while I was unconscious. The fact I was still alive was a miracle because anyone could have stumbled across me. I cursed myself, scrambling to my feet, and I tried to gain my bearings. 

Truth be told, I had no idea where I was. I didn't recognize the land. It was very unfamiliar and it looked slightly intimidating in the shadows of the setting sun. I shouldn't have even risked closing my eyes for a second. I patted myself down, checking for injuries, and I realized I had lost my knife in the river. That was just great. 

I glanced at the setting sun. It always set in the west, I remembered that much, but I'd never actually seen the sun at Redwood so I didn't know which direction to head in hopes of getting back to my camp. I drug my hands through my hair as I realized how serious my situation was becoming. I was alone, in the wilderness, with no food and no weapon. There could be AFTR soldiers anywhere. 

No, I needed to focus. I needed a place to lay low for the night. That came first and foremost, so I took off across the meadow towards the forest. I stumbled through the forest in the dim light and it was getting harder to see. I saw something incredibly dark up ahead and I squinted. It didn't move so I cautiously moved closer.

I realized it was a really dense pine tree and its heavy limbs bowed down to meet the earth. I pushed against the prickly needles and slithered my way inside. Pine pitch scent filled my nose and I coughed a little but settled down after brushing away fallen needles. It was practically dark, I couldn't really do much else besides build up my energy. 

When I woke again, I was ready to get moving. I climbed out of my safe haven for the night and brushed the dirt off my jeans. Not that it mattered, I was covered from head to toe in dirt and blood. I glanced at the heavy pine tree and then I observed the other trees. They were tall and sturdy. I scaled one with low branches I could latch onto and then I began climbing. 

If I couldn't find my way on the ground, I'd scout from the trees. I was careful not to place my weight on a rotten branch and I kept a firm grip on the trunk as I climbed. By the time I reached smaller limbs I couldn't place my weight on, I was breathing from the effort. It wasn't easy pulling up my own body weight and I silently cursed men for receiving the most strength. 

I exhaled, taking in the beautiful scenery that splayed below me. I was really high up. I felt a little sense of freedom in that moment. A breeze whispered through the treetops and the sun warmed my face, this was something I could get used to. 

My stomach growled in hunger and I remembered why I was up here. I stopped daydreaming and I scanned the area. I couldn't see any high ridge tops. I could only see trees that rolled over the land and the lack of where meadows splayed out. I frowned. How far had the river actually taken me? I turned my head in a full circle around me. This was definitely not good. 

I decided I would head west. I don't know why but it felt like a hunch. Maybe I should trust my gut for once. I began climbing down the tree and then I jumped the last ten feet. I brush off my jeans and with nothing but the clothes on my back, I began walking. 

I kept the sun at my back as it rose from the east and I headed straight west. I marvelled the beauty of the forest as I walked. Sure, I had seen the forest plenty of times while I hunted, but it wasn't the same without the sunlight. It was like the golden rays were from heaven itself and it filtered down through the tree canopies the kiss the earth. Everything looked ten times more beautiful with the sun out. 

I reveled in the warm feeling along my arms as the sun met my skin. This was very nice. I had gotten so used to the fog at Redwood, I was really missing out. But, it was the fog that kept us safe. I felt more exposed with the sun bearing down on me. I felt like I couldn't hide if I needed to. I also took note of how there were no birds. 

That reminded me of Redwood, at least, there was no wildlife. I couldn't even see any signs of wildlife even existing. No prints in the soil, no leaves or sticks bothered, it was just a forest standing alone in the world. I seemed to be its only inhabitant. I supposed that wasn't so bad but I was going to get hungry and there was no food. 

For hours, I wandered westward, and I felt like I was getting nowhere. I saw nothing but trees and an occasional meadow. I didn't dare cross the meadows in the wide-open so I stuck to the treelines. I knew exactly what that was like as I hunted, I would be even easier prey out in the open like that. I didn't know if there really was an eye in the sky for AFTR but I was playing it safe. 

My stomach grumbled louder and louder the further I walked. My throat grew dry and my tongue felt like cotton in my mouth. I needed food and I needed water. So far, since the river, I hadn't spotted a single water source. I was beginning to understand why there was no wildlife around here. There were no substantial life sources. They had all starved, and I was probably going to become the next victim.

Eventually, the trees began to thin and the meadows grew more frequent. I wouldn't be able to hide in the forest for long. However, the sun was always dropping out of the sky once more. I had walked an entire day and I found absolutely nothing. That was bad. I couldn't die out here in the wilderness like a hopeless little girl. I knew how to survive, I just needed the chance. 

I slumped against a tree, its bark biting into my back, but I didn't care. I had bigger problems at the moment. It was dark now and I could no longer make sure I was heading west by the sun. It was going to be an incredibly long night because my stomach was still growling for food. Soon, my energy would dwindle. I was determined to find something and that was the last thing on my mind before I drifted off.

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Yikes! No food, no water, that's not good. 

I'm really excited for the next few chapters!