A large glowing moon was lifted High into the skies among a sprawling array of stars. The night is alive with animals and insects, no moment truely quite. Under the sea of stars a small flame burned in the little clearing before the cave.
Surprisingly a chill had taken to the air, and the warmth of even the small fire was most welcome. Letting a displeased sigh escape from myself I stare longingly at the jungle wolf pelt I have stretched out to dry on a wooden rack I had made. Too bad the process is slow, I can already see chilly nights ahead of me. But, in a better light, I staired hungrily at the nearly fully cooked slice of meat hanging above the fire.
Suddenly a long howl rings out in the night followed by 6 more. A soul call of a wolf pack. They had done this several times tonight, sometimes closer, sometimes further away. Perhaps it is the cynical side of myself, but it seems like they are searching, hopefully not for the one I killed.
Carefully removing my dinner from over the fire I bite down. It is tough, but delicious. perhaps I'm just hungery, but it truely melts in the mouth. A small warmth flows through my body as I eat more, like a pleasant glow. Finishing up my meal, the feeling fades away, odd but enjoyable.
Picking up my spear I tread into the cave and gently pull myself through the small crack in the back of the chamber. Earlier, after I had started the fire, I had brought a burning branch into the back chamber. it was just a small hollow with what seemed to be a carved stoop large enough to fit someone of considerable size. How they would fit through the crack to get here in the first place is a mystery. Perhaps the original carver, was also the previous owner of the spear. Perhaps they where not.
I had placed some large leaves and moss down as bedding, but stone is stone at the end of the day. This was going to be as comfortable as it was going to get.
Climbing up and laying myself down, my eyes gently closed and I quickly slipped into unconsciousness.
Confusing flashes and colors flashed about. Standing up shakily I found myself face to face with a tiger as confused as myself. But what transpired in the next few moments was pure mayhem, a tangle of limbs and yelps and growls. Eventually, I found myself wounded and running, until I took cover in a small but hidden cave.
inspecting my injury it was a deep gash on my hind leg. The last image as clear as day was me locking eyes with a human. Dirty and bleeding, holding a simple spear.
Waking with a start, I panic as all I see is darkness. Few seconds pass and I start to make sense of things again. Somehow, some way, I had relived the rather short life of the wolf I had killed. I had seen through its eyes for a brief moment. Shaking my head, I carefully let myself down as the aches and pains of the day prior hit me.
Walking out of the back chamber and slowly into the dull light of dawn I take a deep breath. I have food and water, a place to call home. but I know nothing of my surroundings or the beasts that are nearby.
Crouching low, I look over the edge of the outcrop. There are no animals in view at least, and the jungle is much quiter today than the day prior. The lack of chaotic cacophony makes it appear peaceful even, but it is still no less deadly and alive.
Walking down the trail I head towards the river. Reaching its muddy bank, I lay the spear down and continue to walk into the gental currents of the water. Meticulously, I wash my many cuts. Several are already slightly inflamed, it would be a pity to die to infection over an animal.
Taking my time, I remove as much blood and dirt as I can then make my way out of the river. Letting the water drip off of me, I take the spear and enter the jungle again.
Moving with purpose, I stalk through the foliage listening and treading carefully.
'My shelter is in lower ground. I must find a way around the cliff then search for high ground. Or a rather large tree if none is to be had.'
Minute by minute ticked by as I glided through the forest. The area I was in was thick with undergrowth and foliage large enough to hide comfortably in with tall, and thick trees blocking a fair amount of the sun. Making it easy to remain unseen, and other creatures unseen as well.
As I traveled along the cliff side, I saw a fair number of small monkeys among the tree branches. They were a dull grey color and had small beady eyes. Their chatter filled the air constantly rarely with pause.
I also passed a few different types of berries and also spotted fruits high in the branches. I will pick some up on the way back. I wasn't familiar with any of them, so I would need to be cautious when first eating them.
After an hour of carefully moving along the cliff, i found myself in the same clearing that I first arrived in. It was a sudden and odd thing. It was as if a great gash had been carved out of the jungle. The grass that grew was short and slickly yellowed as if something resisted its growth, and the trees leaned away from it ever so slightly. Several hundred feet to my side there was a gental slope that cut through the cliff making a small valley that lead upwards.
As I was about to move, something made me pause. The sound, it was quite. When did it get quite? Tensing I listened closely and held as still as I could.
The deep growl of a tiger resonated from behind me to my right. Using every ounce of willpower I had, I did not move. I was deep within the brush, and the only hope I had was remaining hidden. My nerves bristled as I could faintly hear it step closer and closer.
Sweat started to drip down my back as every instinct in me screamed to run or fight. Just as I was reaching my breaking point a small brown blurr burst from the under growth into the clearing from beside me. A small horned rabbit, screaming in fear. As soon as the rabbit bolted, a large speckled blur flew out after it. A large orange and black coated tiger.
Wasting no time, as the tiger chased down its meal, I stepped back and turned away moving swiftly but quietly to safety. I could already hear the sickening crunch of bones as I stalked further and further away.