Ken's eyes fluttered open.
Cold bit at his skin—but it wasn't the frozen wasteland anymore.
Around him, towering trees swayed gently in the breeze.
Birds chirped somewhere above.
The earth beneath was soft with moss and fallen leaves.
"Trees… animals… bugs…" Ken breathed, almost laughing.
"I'm alive. Really alive."
His heart hammered in his chest.
For the first time in what felt like forever, hope flickered.
He pushed himself up and took a shaky step forward.
"This place... it's different. Maybe I can survive here."
But that hope shattered instantly.
From the shadows between the trees, six glowing eyes locked onto him.
Low growls rumbled from the underbrush.
Wolves.
They slinked out, tails low but teeth bared, surrounding Ken quickly.
"No… no, please…"
He turned and sprinted, adrenaline giving him speed he didn't know he had.
Branches whipped his face. Roots caught his feet.
His breath came ragged and sharp.
The wolves chased, snarling louder.
But his legs began to fail.
Stamina drained like water through a sieve.
He stumbled.
His lungs burned.
Behind him, the wolves closed in, teeth snapping inches from his heels.
Ken dropped to the ground, chest heaving.
They were on him before he could rise.
Sharp teeth tore through his flesh.
Pain exploded everywhere.
Darkness claimed him once more.
You have died.
Ken's eyes snapped open again.
Same place.
Same trees.
Same earthy smell.
But now, fear hung heavier in his chest.
"They're still here."
Instinct took over.
Without a second thought, Ken bolted.
His legs pumped hard, pounding against soft dirt.
But exhaustion hit fast.
His muscles screamed for relief.
His vision blurred.
Behind him, the sound of paws crashing through leaves grew closer.
He risked a glance back.
Six wolves charged, their eyes burning with hunger.
Ken's feet faltered.
He tripped.
Pain and cold swallowed him.
You have died.
Ken lay motionless.
The forest was quiet again.
Only the wind whispered through the trees.
"I don't know how to survive this," Ken whispered, voice trembling.
"But I have to keep trying."