Bab 3: Essentials for Survival
I woke up early in the next morning and quickly scanned my surroundings.
No beasts to be seen in sight.
That's good... I also wasn't attacked whilst I was asleep either... Lucky me!
I thought, heaving a relieved sigh.
Considering the animals that may live within this weird forest, I thought that I would have been slaughtered whilst I was asleep. Luckily though, that didn't seem to be the case.
"*Sigh*... Right, I shouldn't be dawdling here! I should focus! I promised myself I'd survive no matter what!"
Having remembered what happened last night, I quickly changed into working gears.
Hmm... What does someone need to survive?
Several ideas popped up one after the other, but two stood out the most.
I need to find a good source of food and water... And I also need to find shelter...
Food and water are the most important needs for any living beings survival. There is no questioning that fact.
Shelter is also very much important. Do I even need to mention why this would be needed? A shelter literally provides a safe place to rest, to store things, and to hide in. Without a doubt, it is one of the most important needs for survival.
With these two ideas set in place, I resolved myself and started my search.
As I strode along the forest, a troubling question wondered about in the back of my head.
Hmmm... What should I prioritise first? Food and water, or shelter?
I am troubled by such a choice. But then I remembered something...
"I've already tried searching for food... It was literally yesterday."
Remembering that experience and the sour encounter I had right after, I made my decision based on those two facts.
I should search for shelter. I don't think I'll find anything eatable inside this forest... Or at the very least I think it will be somewhat difficult...
In the first place, considering all the benefits that a shelter can provide, I believe it may be the best course of action. With a place to rest and to hide in, I could survive without food for at least two more days.
Now that I think about it, finding shelter is probably the best course of action any person should take when they're in my sort of situation...
Thoughts like these spun around as I kept on walking through the forest. Soon enough though, my head began to clear out and all of those thoughts slowly dissipated into nothingness.
"..."
My gaze wandered about, seemingly analysing the scenery around. Along the way, a weird sense of peace began to envelop my heart.
The grass and trees rustled about happily. The birds sung as the winds carried their beautiful chorus. And the sun gleamed, passing through the gaps it could sneak in.
A mix of nature's natural beauty.
...Well... I never thought I'd feel like this first thing in the morning...
"Pff... Hahaha..."
I lightly laughed as a familiar feeling flew through the air, a peaceful and problem-free feeling.
I hadn't realised how beautiful this forest really is... The stress, fear, and anxiety I must have been feeling yesterday... It must have blinded me from seeing its beauty...
I inhaled strongly as I allowed my eyes to take in the sight.
This is nice... It has been a long time since I got the chance to enjoy nature's true beauty...
Enjoying the scenery to its fullest, I kept on with my strides through the forest.
0×0
Some hours have passed. After moving for several hours through the foliage, passing by many interesting sights and occasionally taking small brakes to recharge myself, I finally managed to find something that filled the criteria of a shelter.
Right now, I am standing in the presence of a peculiar looking tree.
Hmmm... Can I use it as a shelter?
I pondered on that thought for a moment.
What stands in front of me is a slightly big tree with a toddler sized hole right in the middle of its trunk.
There's nothing stopping me really...
"I should check if I can even fit in it though."
Having decided to at least give it a try, I approached the tree and climbed to check if I could even fit inside. Lo and behold, my body perfectly filled the toddler sized space. In fact, there exists enough space to fit in some extra stuff.
I really am small...
"Whatever..."
I said with a pouty look.
To put it simply, I feel dissatisfied with my size. I am practically a toddler. Up close, everything looked way too big and scary for me to stare at.
I analysed the interior of the tree whilst still wearing that pouty expression. That didn't last for long though, as that look quickly dissolved into an excited face.
This place is perfect! I can rest peacefully here and I can also use it to hide from any predators!
Feeling the excitement rushing through my veins, I began to smile like an idiot.
Ah! Wait... Now that I think about it though, I need something to cover the hole, otherwise the whole hiding thing becomes practically useless...
I carefully thought about my situation and my next form of action. My brain soared through a sea of ideas, picking up the ones that stood out the most and left behind the ones that seemed impossible to accomplish.
Unfortunately, that process easily got interrupted by a certain familiar noise.
Gurgle...
My stomach growled lightly, begging for it to be fed.
"..."
Really...? Of all times?
I groaned in frustration, finding this situation awfully convenient.
Hmm... I already did find a shelter. I guess it wouldn't hurt to search for food and water now... Actually, I do also feel a bit thirsty...
Half the day has already passed, and within that time I have been travelling all around without drinking or eating, so of course I am feeling hungry and thirsty.
I did pass by a river some moments ago... I'll go there and drink some water... Actually, I might even find some fish in there...!
Feeling slightly confident in what I thought up, I exited my little manhole and adventured through the forest once again.
Thankfully, the river isn't that far away. In just mere minutes, I began to hear the sound of flowing water. Soon enough, I arrived at the river.
"... Wow..."
My eyes instantly got dragged away by the beautiful sparkling water.
It's so clean!
Mesmerised by the river's sparkling water and the forest like scene reflected on top of its surface, a sense of calmness naturally washed over me. Occasionally, leaves would fall onto the reflection created on the surface, which would then start a rippling effect coursing trough the river as the leaves moved along with the currents.
"..."
I stood there silently, just quietly enjoying the wonderful sight.
Ah! What am I doing?!
"Focus Lia!"
*Slap!*
I slapped my cheeks and returned my focus onto the task at hand.
"Are there any fish around?"
I slowly approached the river and eventually stood right over it. From up close it looked even more mesmerising. The waters are so clean and smooth that light easily gets reflected off of it. I could even see a clear reflection of myself.
God I look ugly...
What stared back at me is the image of a goblin like creature. Surprisingly though, my eyes bore a beautiful vibrant blue colour.
"..."
I stood there quietly, gazing into my own eyes.
Ha... Hahaha... I guess this is how I look now... I'm getting somewhat used to it... Still creepy though...
A wry smile appeared on my face.
Heh... This is honestly a better look... Much better than the one that caused me so many problems...
I thought, a shadow casting over that same smile.
"... Forget about that... I'm thirsty..."
I shook away my previous thoughts and instead collected some water with my hands. I then drank the water and allowed it to enter my body.
Puaaahh... Refreshing...
I thought, staring down at the river as a rejuvenating feeling filled my chest. It was like having gained a sudden burst of energy.
As I enjoyed that energetic feeling, small weird ripples suddenly appeared on the surface of the water, even though not a single leaf had fallen in that specific location.
At that moment, my eyes managed to catch a glimpse of something wriggling around in the water.
"Fish! There's a fish!"
My gaze fell onto a fish desperately trying to swim against the river's current. Its fins flapped about and its body wriggled around.
It's somewhat big... If I catch this, I'll be full for the whole day!
Feeling a sudden determination grow within me, I readied myself for the catch.
I slowly ducked down and carefully hovered my small hands over the river's surface.
One... Two...
"Three!"
*Splash*
A splashing sound echoed throughout the air as my small hands dug into the river below.
"..."
I failed...
I unfortunately failed to catch the fish. It managed to easily slip away and escape down the river.
"Shoot..."
I once again became pouty as frustration quickly rose within me.
Ugh! I have to look for another one! I hope that isn't the only one around...
Nervously looking through the flowing waters, I began my search, which actually didn't take that long at all.
"Oh, there's another one right there."
I slightly moved to the side and prepared my hands right over the river.
"Phew~..."
Let's do this! One... Two...
"Three!"
*Splash!*
0×0
"It's impossible! How do the people in those primitive videos catch fish so easily with their bare hands!"
I lay down defeated.
I had royally messed up every single catch. There wasn't a single one I didn't manage to mess up.
That made frustrated and sad at the same time.
"*Sigh*... How am I supposed to survive like this? I'll die of starvation at this rate!"
I scowled at my own unreliable strength.
I thought this would have been an easy task, but that belief quickly came back to bite me in the ass.
Agh! Am I seriously going to go back with an empty stomach...?
I groaned a bit, feeling hesitant with the mere idea.
Gurgle...
My stomach rumbled, interrupting my thoughts completely.
"Ugh... I'm so hungry..."
I gazed into the sky as the sun slowly went out of view.
"...The night's coming..."
Having realised that, I hesitantly stood up and began to move through the forest, leaving behind my only chance for a meal.
It's not worth it staying around... I'll become food for the other animals instead...
"*Sigh*..."
Gurgle...
I heaved a deep sigh as my stomach demanded its food. From the perspective of another person, I probably looked like a poor child who doesn't get to eat much at all, if anything actually.
I'm so hungry... But I have to endure... First thing in the morning, I'm going straight to the river...
I continued to move through the forest as my stomach growled with every step I took.
Soon, I arrived at my newly found shelter. I then painstakingly climbed up the peculiar tree and entered my little safe space. By the time I noticed, my surroundings had already turned dark.
"...Time for me to go to sleep..."
I huddled myself together and closed my eyes gently. Not long after, my breathing became lighter and I fell asleep right after.
0×0
The next morning.
*Chirp Chirp*
"Three!"
*Splash!*
The birds flapped their wings and flew away after hearing the sudden splashing sound.
The one who caused that sound is me. I am currently trying to catch a fish.
And let me tell you...
"I did it! I finally caught it!"
Right now, I am proudly holding onto the intricately shaped body of a slightly big fish.
Agh! So slippery! It's going to escape my grasp at this rate!
I quickly began to back away from the river after having realised that the fish could easily escape my hands at any given moment.
I won't let you escape though! Even if you manage to slip away from my hands, you won't have anywhere else to go to!
Smiling like a demon, I desperately tried to not let go. Unfortunately, the thing is somehow stronger than me and managed to slip away.
"Shoot!"
It flew through the air before plopping down onto the ground.
"Ah! I won't let you!"
I immediately jumped to catch the fish, but it managed to easily dodge my small hands.
This guy is feisty...!
The fish kept jumping sporadically in every direction. It seemed so desperate to reach the river.
Thankfully, I had already made some distance between me and the waters. There is practically no way for it to reach the flowing currents of the river. That was my initial thought...
What the—! It's getting closer to the river!
Panicking like a monkey in a forest fire, I struggled to catch the fish. It slowly but surely made its way to the river and I became all the more desperate.
"Please don't!"
Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes.
The fish eventually reached close enough to the river. A single jump and it would easily escape into the waters.
No! My food!
I desperately reached out towards the fish. I stretched out my hand and my entire body. The only thing keeping me tethered to the ground is my left foot.
There!
Just before the fish could jump into the river, I managed to tightly grab its tale.
"Yes!"
A smile quickly formed on my face as I unknowingly began to fall down towards the ground. Next thing I know, my vision met the dirt covered ground.
Ouch!
A numbing pain coursed through my entire body.
That hurts... Tsk... But I have to endure it!
I gritted my teeth and endured the pain, because right now I am still holding onto a vigorous fish.
"Ghh...! Stop moving around!"
The fish continued to thrash about without a care in its eyes, it just wouldn't stop for even a single second. It actually managed to also toss me around every now and again.
That's enough! Come here!
With great vigour, I pulled it back into my hands and then tightly clasped it under my arms. I then strongly held it close to my chest and curled up into a tight hug, so as to not let it move a single inch.
Come on! I'm sorry, but please die! Please! I'm so hungry!
As I continued to beg with all my heart, I could feel the fish's movements getting more and more lighter. Before long, the movements finally came to a complete stop.
"...!"
Feeling hesitant, I slightly released my grip.
The fish did not move.
"...! Yes! I can finally eat!"
Excitement filled my eyes as I clasped the fish I worked so hard to obtain. A couple of minutes passed as I continued to stare at the fish.
What I am currently holding is the accumulation of many failed attempts, each one smeared with my hard working sweat. I literally spent half of my time yesterday trying to catch a single fish, and now that included this day's morning hours too.
Gurgle...
My stomach rumbled menacingly.
I could feel the saliva slowly trickling down from my mouth.
I can't wait any longer!
Consumed by my intense hunger, I quickly opened my mouth and brought the fish close to my face. But right before my teeth could pierce its skin, I came to a sudden stop.
I realised something.
I can't eat this raw...
I stood there silently, the wind blowing through my ears.
Agh! I need to light up a fire!
I dropped the fish onto the ground and began to search around for sticks and stones.
Meanwhile, a sense of frustration started to rise within my chest. I worked so hard and yet I somehow forgot about such an important detail. It's like having finished a chore, only to find out that a small but important part of the chore was somehow overlooked.
"Ugh! I can't believe this!"
I said as I grabbed a stick from a nearby tree and a pebble from below my feat. With these two items I re-enacted what the cartoon characters usually did to light up a fire. The good old rub a stick onto a stone method.
I clearly don't have my brain inside my head.
What am I doing?! Am I an idiot?! Why would something like this work?!
After coming to my senses, I angrily threw the pebble into the river and the stick back into the forest.
My head just kept spinning and my hunger just grew larger by the minute.
Gurgle...
I'm so hungry... You know what, I don't care anymore! I need to eat something!
My eyes fell back onto the raw fish and my small arms pulled themselves towards it. I gently picked it up and then brought it close to my lips. With small signs of hesitation I brandished my teeth and slowly brought them down onto its juicy looking flesh.
"...!"
My teeth tore through its flesh and allowed the blood to leak out and envelop the insides of my mouth.
"Eh?"
...It tastes... Like grilled fish???
An unexpected flavour swam across my tongue. It took me by surprise and managed to make me pause for a second. I mean, who expects a raw fish to taste like its grilled version? The mere idea just sounds outlandishly absurd.
I pulled away from the fish and just stood there staring, its blood dripping down onto the ground.
Seriously... What the hell? Does it normally taste like this?
I am positive that is not the case, but I just had to ask. It is only natural to think in such a way after all.
Now that I think about it... Didn't the same thing happen with the double headed snake? If I remember correctly...
I made a troubled face as I tried to remember yesterday's encounter.
Right, I think it tasted like milk chocolate... And after having tasted it... I... What happened right after? I can't remember...!
I rummaged through my memories, trying to remember how that encounter ended. But no matter how hard I tried, I came out with nothing.
Gurgle...
"Uuuuuhhh..."
Whatever, I'm too hungry to think about these kinds of stuff...! Time too feast!
With a smile plastered onto my goblin like face, I bit into the fish in front of me.
I tore through its flesh and gulped down its blood. Along the way, I became more and more ravenous, tearing through the fish at high speeds. I also made sure not to swallow any of the fish's sharp bones.
I continued to chomp down onto the fish's flavourful flesh, when suddenly something weird entered my mouth.
Hm? What's this? It doesn't feel like a fishbone... If anything, it feels a lot more sturdy than a fishbone...
Something weird and surprisingly sturdy mixed in with my food. I struggled a bit as I tried to take out the strange thing inside my mouth. Soon enough though, I managed to spit it out.
The strange object in question fell onto the dirt covered ground.
"Hm?"
I readily scanned the surface and I quickly found something that stood out, a strange red crystal.
Its size is about the same as a nail and its shape is ragged and edgy. It also has a strange but beautiful lustre that could grab the attention of anyone seemingly passing by.
Huh? What's that? It looks somewhat beautiful...
With one hand still holding onto the fish, I collected the fascinating crystal.
Eh? What's that in the middle of it...?
As I brought it closer to my face, I spotted something that made me feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Though the crystal may have a beautiful lustre, on the inside there exists a weird unsettling black mist moving around sporadically.
Something about it just feels wrong...
I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about it made me feel unsettled.
"...I'm throwing this away..."
I said with a hushed tone.
I then threw away the crystal and started walking in the opposite direction.
Let's not risk anything dangerous...
With my feast in hand, I walked back to my shelter and left behind the flowing river.
Now that I know where to get my water and food, my chances of surviving have increased greatly...
Things looked bright and good. Food and water aren't a problem anymore, and the same can be said for a shelter. The only problems I can see in sight is the way I obtain my food and the slight ineffectiveness of my shelter.
Right now, catching a fish is extremely difficult with my small hands. Thus, I need to find a way for me to easily obtain the fish without having to go through a lot of trouble. As for the ineffectiveness of my shelter, that being its cover, I need to make or find something that could easily cover the hole of the tree. If I can do that, I will be able to use my shelter to its fullest potential.
Alright, I've decided! Those are my next objectives! I'll make sure to accomplish them!
With a bright smile plastered onto my face, I took a bite out of my hard earned food.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
TakiMel
TakiMel Hello again~! So did you enjoy this chapter? How did you feel about the character? Whatever the case, please inform me if you see any grammatical errors in sight! That would be greatly appreciated! Until next time~! ( • w •)_/ ~Byebye~!
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone