I had never seen so much natural life before. Back home normal trees were hard to come by and often died before growing. But this place was different. The seemingly endless forest of trees surrounded me as I walked, giving me a claustrophobic feeling.
"I wonder how big this forest is," I said aloud trying to pass the time.
Shortly after arriving in this world, I had noticed something off. It was my duffel bag. It seemed to have grown in size since the last time I held it. Having only being half my size previously, It was now reaching up to my neck. This only proved to annoy me, the bag being bigger was now harder to carry and heavier.
"Is this a side effect of traveling here? If so does that mean all my things are bigger?" The black shirt and pants I was wearing had grown larger no longer fitting me. Annoyed with them as well, I trimmed my clothes back to size giving me a worn look. Checking the contents of my bag I also noticed everything is just a little bigger.
'strange.'
I continued walking through the vast forest with no real destination. I had found nothing but trees for what I assumed to be a few hours. I decided to take a break under one of the trees.
"Sigh, this is worst than I thought. I have no idea where I am or where I'm supposed to go... I'm also kinda thirsty." I gave myself an imaginary punch for forgetting something as crucial as water.
"I have enough canned food for a while so that's good at least. But I need to find something soon."
It was apparent I wouldn't last long without finding water soon. Thanks to the book I read "Wilderness Survival For Dummies" I had a vague idea of what to do. I knew how to start fires and build a decent shelter if the need arises. But all that was useless if I died of dehydration.
With the night approaching, I decided to set up camp. Gathering a large number of logs I placed them in a triangular pattern around a tree. Gathering leaves as the base I placed them all around to provide protection In case it rained. Next was the fire. I chopped the larger pieces of wood down I placed them in a pile. Using my knife to creak a spark, I clashed it repeatedly with a dry rock I had gathered. Although extremely inefficient, it worked after an hour of persistence.
"Jeez I thought I was prepared but I guess not. I have no water and have to clash rocks for fire. This is so annoying." I said to myself letting out a lite chuckle. My eyes began to weigh down on me, this had been the most I've walked in a while.
"I should get some sleep. I'll have a long day tomorrow." After surrounding the fire with rocks I headed inside my temporary home Using the duffel bag as a pillow, I laid on the uneven ground staring at the logs around me. Slowly I drifted off into a deep sleep.
The morning sun beamed through the small gaps in my hut as I awoke. Pulling myself up, my head pounded from the unfamiliar resting place. I decided not to waste any time, I didn't have much time to spare. I gathered my things and after a morning meal of canned beans, I immediately set out in hopes of finding something.
A day had passed and I had found nothing. The vast forest seemed to never end as I continued walking. My legs ached from constant travel. My throat was dry and my lips chapped. I needed water, and I needed it now.
"Oh look it's a tree! Oh my, look another tree! WOW! I've never seen a tree before, so cool!" I yelled sarcastically, angry at my current position. However, in a positive twist of fate, hope showed itself. As I continued to walk I could hear a faint splashing sound coming from my right. Even if it wasn't water, I was overjoyed at the thought of finding something else.
I made my way towards the sound it slowly became louder and louder until the sound was coming from directly in front of me. Happiness was painted across my face as I locked my eyes on the cause of the sound. Scooping as much of it into my hands as I could, I drank without hesitation.
"Gulp Gulp"
Within the forest of trees, I had found a small stream flowing down a crimson hill. I drank aggressively having been starved of water for two days. My stomach began to bloat at the rapid increase of water into my system.
"Aaah that feels too good. I was beginning to think I was a goner. Thank the gods I found this." Regaining my boundaries I took in my surroundings. Despite the normal trees and red leaves, I had noticed the position of the river. The water rushed downward clashing with whatever got in its path.
"Wait, If that's flowing down that means..." As if an imaginary lightbulb had appeared above my head, I began making my way up the stream.
"If I'm right I might not have to worry about food later either."
Hopeful of what I'd find, I hurridly trucked up the steep hill. As I climbed the sounds of the stream grew louder.
I was nearing the source of the water.
I continued climbing until I could see the top of the hill begin to flatten. Crossing over peak I was met with a beautiful sight.
A large lake was there, so big I couldn't see the end of it. The water was extremely pure, I could see through the water as if all of it had been previously filtered. Fishes of varying size and color I had never seen swam In schools inside.
"Lunch, hehe..." My eyes sparkled as I stared.
Looking all around the lake I eventually looked at the water directly below me. It was the first time seeing my reflection since coming to this world. I expected to see myself as I always did, however, that wasn't the case.
My face and body appeared to be younger than I previously had been. My body shrank in size, and my face appeared to be more baby-like. It was if my age had reversed itself during my travels. Before coming to this world I was twelve, now I appeared to be around eight.
"What the hell... Argh, this must be Hermayas doing. Who knew she was gonna turn me into an elementary schooler. Well at least now I know why everything seemed bigger, It was because I had gotten smaller." Annoyed that my amazing good looks were diminished, I took a seat near the lake to take in everything that had been going on. I gazed up into the sky as my mind began to wonder.
"This is all so hard to believe still, just a few days ago I was in my room watching tv, and now this.."
My mind trailed as I looked back on the previous days I had just spent. At that moment my mind snapped back into reality as I heard a pained scream coming from behind me.