Chapter 4 - FIRST HUNT

"BITE."

"BITE."

Despite his improved physical condition, Hari narrowly avoided the deer's bite, leaving behind only a faint mark on his hand. He could sense the deer's satisfaction in this unexpected turn of events, almost relishing its newfound dominance over what had once been considered its prey. It was as if this encounter marked the first time the deer had encountered a creature weaker than itself.

Initially gripped by fear at the sudden change in circumstances, Hari's instincts urged him to flee for his life. Yet, as he assessed the situation, he realized that outrunning the deer was futile.

With a few quick rolls backward, Hari regained his footing, noting the deer's hesitation in its attack. Understanding that the deer's hunting instincts were likely underdeveloped in the wake of the cataclysm, Hari saw an opportunity to prove himself in this harsh new world.

Slowly retrieving the branch he had used for fishing, Hari watched as the deer reacted with a mixture of fear and aggression. Though it had always been prey to other creatures, the deer now stood as a predator in its own right, emboldened by its recent feasting on smaller prey.

As the deer charged, Hari drew upon his observations of traditional events like Jallikattu, where humans faced down rampaging bulls. Gripping the branch tightly, he braced himself for the impact, surprised by the lack of pressure as the deer's antlers collided with the branch.

Seizing the opportunity, Hari delivered a powerful knee strike to the deer's center, leaving it disoriented and vulnerable. With each thrust of the branch, he inflicted further wounds upon the deer, causing blood to spurt forth with each stab.

"Puchi."

"Puchi."

The deer, desperate to escape, made futile attempts to flee, but Hari refused to let it go. With a firm grip on its antlers, he wrestled the deer to the ground, ignoring its feeble struggles.

After a brief but intense struggle, the deer grew tired, allowing Hari to mount it and deliver the final blows. As the light faded from its eyes, Hari felt a surge of triumph, his first successful hunt filling him with a sense of accomplishment.

Dragging the deer to the riverside, Hari set to work, fashioning crude tools from its antlers before skinning and cleaning the carcass. With the hide drying on a nearby boulder, he feasted on a portion of the meat, feeling rejuvenated with each bite.

With meticulous care, Hari skinned the deer, expertly removing its hide with the skill of a seasoned hunter. He laid the hide flat on a smooth rock, meticulously scraping away any remaining flesh and tissue with a sharp stone.

Once the hide was cleaned, Hari soaked it in the cool waters of the river, allowing the natural enzymes to soften the tough fibers. Stretching it out on a wooden frame, he secured it tightly with vine strips to prevent shrinking as it dried in the sun.

As the hide dried, Hari monitored its progress, adjusting the tension on the vine as needed to maintain its shape. Once dry, he cut and shaped the hide into rectangular strips, lacing them together with thin strips of vine to create a functional garment.

Though lacking the finesse of modern clothing, Hari took pride in his creation, feeling a deep connection to the natural world around him as he donned the hide dress.

Time seemed to blur as Hari honed his hunting skills and adapted to his new environment, his body reaching its peak evolution after fifteen days of relentless effort. With newfound strength and resilience, he ventured forth each morning, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in the unforgiving wilderness.


Venturing forth one morning, Hari's keen eyes spotted a deer by the riverbank, its graceful form beckoning to him with the promise of a successful hunt. As he readied himself to pursue his prey, his senses heightened by experience, his plans were abruptly thwarted by the unexpected arrival of another deer. Sensing an opportunity, Hari waited patiently for one of the deer to depart, anticipating his chance to strike.

However, before he could enact his plan, a chilling presence descended upon the scene—the sudden appearance of a red wolf, its eyes ablaze with predatory intent. To Hari's astonishment, the wolf's claws ignited with flickering blue flames, casting an eerie glow upon the forest floor. With a ferocious snarl, it pounced upon the unsuspecting deer, unleashing a swift and brutal attack that left both animals lifeless in its wake.

Frozen in place by the display of primal violence, Hari watched in stunned silence as the wolf claimed its grisly prize, a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wilderness he now called home.

In shock, Hari watched as the wolf marked its territory, its presence casting a shadow of fear over him. When the wolf's gaze fell upon his hiding spot, Hari's heart raced with terror. With a swift movement, he leaped to safety, narrowly avoiding the wolf's lethal attack.

Meeting the wolf's gaze, Hari tightened his grip on the branch, prepared for a confrontation. As the wolf growled in response, Hari took a cautious step backward, unwilling to provoke the formidable predator further.

Sensing that the wolf had no immediate interest in him, Hari made a split-second decision to flee. With every muscle in his body tensed with fear, he sprinted through the forest, his mind racing with the realization that survival in this new world would demand more than just physical strength—it would require cunning, adaptability, and a will to endure against all odds.

PS: Jallikattu, also known as 'Eruthazhuvuthal', is a bull-taming sport traditionally played in Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu refers to silver or gold coins tied on bulls' horns. In this, a bull is released into a field; whoever is able to take control of the bull by grabbing the large hump on its back wins the sport