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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Dirt Path

 I still got the scar, I was lucky my head didn't split open. The vines and twigs hugged my body tightly, like a blanket, I was hidden from sight in an instant. The beast roared and rushed past me, crushing everything in its wake. Soon it was gone.

 My body laid still, my breathing was sharp and short, I was unconscious. I didn't take long for me to wake up, a splitting headache assaulted me, the vines blocking my movement, I struggled and caught glimpse of half-buried archway. Ruins of the past, forgotten by time, had save my life.

 Standing up and stumbling, blood ran down my face. I traced the skin on my head with my hands and sensed a wound the size of my finger. I didn't know what to do, so I started walking. The chase, the adrenaline, it all happened so fast and my mind hasn't yet comprehended what has happened.

 I was scared the bear would come back to look for me, maybe it would smell the blood and if that happened...i was as good as dead. I went where my body decided to go, on pure instinct. Looking around constantly, alert of my surroundings. 

 A few hours went by, the bleeding has stopped but the headache was still there. I have now calmed down enough to stop for a moment, taking a look behind me. Nothing was there, just a dirt path I had made, breaking twigs and bushes in my haste.

 Where was the river, what should I follow now. I needed food and water, I had to clean my wound, I had to rest. Taking a deep breath, I gave myself some time to think.

 The forest I was in was vast and I had no idea, still, where I was going. Maybe I should look for higher ground, I thought, a vantage point to get a good view of the area. That would give me a good idea of where I should head to next. But first food and water.

 Rummaging through the bushes, looking up into the trees and down on the ground, my pockets where full again with the gifts of the forest. At least I didn't have to worry about that and soon I found a small pond of water as well.

 I knelt on the wet ground and observed. Fish swam absentmindedly in circles, living in there own world. If there is fish the water should be good I thought, probably. I splashed my face and the coldness woke me up, a sip gave me some energy and then I drank until I couldn't no more.

 There was a story to this pond, pillars erected at its edges, broken and furred by moss, shards of ancient stone lay scattered on the bottom of the crystal clear waters.

 Hydrated and having satisfied my stomach, I had to tend to my wound. Cleaning it, dressing it. The water cleared the dried blood from my head, it hurt when I touched it. Cutting part of my white shirt, I made a loop around my head and tied the wound lightly.

 I did what I could, only time would tell if it would heal properly. A boulder again kept me company as I rested. Night was approaching. What if there wasn't only bears in this forest but wolves and other predators. Didn't most of them hunt at night, should I stay here or search for a safer spot, one high above.

 "I should go." sleeping wasn't safe, not here. Not with a huge bear out there and other beasts hunting for food.

 I set off, picking a direction opposite to where I came, I have learned my lesson. I wasn't on a field trip, this was the wilderness. My life was on the line.

 The sun set, once more and darkness descended. The woods creaked under the push of the night breeze. Every sound I heard I stopped and my heartbeat quickened.

 A clearing was in sight, maybe I could see something from there. Moonlight shone upon me, I was exhausted and my wound hurt. My shirt was ripped and my pants where dirty with mud. Still I had to push forward.

 Tall mountain peaks, that's what I saw, off into the distance. That was something, it gave me hope. If I climbed maybe I could see what was hidden from me. It should be a few more hours until I reached there, I had no other choice.

 More hours passed, my legs were starting to give out. My eyelids heavy from the lack of energy and a migraine threatening to split my head open. I had to be close.

 "Ahoooo!" a sound rang from not so far away. It took me a minute to comprehend what I heard.

 "No...please.." I was almost there, why now. Wolves where on my tail, I was sure of it. With there keen sense of smell, there was no way I haven't been spotted. Maybe they have been tracking me for all the way back. Waiting for me to grow tired.

 I pushed my body forward, with what I had left. I didn't want to give up, I ran once more. My legs didn't want to listen to me, slowly losing control of them. With the corner of my eyes I noticed shadows catching up to me.

 Swift as the wind, quiet and deadly. Wolves pounced from behind me, in formation, their pack slowly encircled me. One of them charged and attacked!

 *Swish!* Razor sharp claws, cut through a trunk right next to me, missing me by a hair. My lungs were burning up, I wanted to puke and faint. My luck was running out.

 My body couldn't keep this up, it would give out any moment now. The trees were blocking a direct attack path for them, but that couldn't stop them for long. And then I saw it...a light. My nose picked up the smell of smoke.

 A dim flame, a sign that screamed to me to follow it. I wasn't sure I was breathing anymore, if my heart was beating, I just run. But I couldn't no more.

 *Crash!* I slammed into the ground. My wound opening and pouring blood onto my face, making me even more appetizing for the wolves that have cornered me from every direction.

 Seven of them. Bloodshot eyes, teeth that their mouth couldn't contain, black and white fur. I struggled to breath, my vision becoming blurry. At least I would be conscious when I was torn apart I thought.

 "This isn't time to be playing hide and seek in the woods laddy!" A gruff and manly voice, followed by the sounds of bones cracking and the wailing of wolves was the last thing I heard before blacking out. 

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