Elian gathered a bunch of stones, searching for a good spot to set up his camp. He spotted a big rock jutting out of the ground next to a tall tree. "This could work," he thought. He started arranging the stones to create a bed-like area, but his first attempts weren't very stable – the stones kept tumbling down.
Thinking on his feet, he found a flat stone and used it to scoop up wet mud from the edge of the river. It was messy, but he smeared the mud between the stones, like glue, to hold them in place and fill the gaps.
Slowly, his makeshift shelter began to take shape. He was getting tired, but the fading sun painted the sky with shades of orange and pink, giving him a little burst of energy to keep going.
Elian looked at his work, a sense of accomplishment welling up inside him. He knew it wasn't perfect, but it was his creation, and it'll do for now.
"At least I won't starve with this river nearby, and I've got that weird meat too," he muttered to himself. He glanced at the water, a nagging worry about parasites lurking in the back of his mind.
"I really hope this place is safe to drink from. It would be quite anticlimactic if I died because of it."
His attention shifted to the stack of leaves scattered on the ground. "Well, it's not a five-star hotel, but I've got to make do." He hurriedly picked up the leaves, arranging them on his stone bed to create a slightly softer surface. The leaves were a mix of colors and sizes, reminding him of the autumn days back on Earth.
As he settled down onto his makeshift bed, the air around him grew cooler, and the night sky began to fill with stars. He stared up at the unfamiliar constellations, a sense of both awe and loneliness washing over him.
"I never thought I'd end up sleeping under the stars in a whole different world," he mused.
The events of the day played in his mind like a movie reel, each scene etched vividly in his memory. "I've really managed to mess things up today, one after the other," he muttered to himself, a mix of frustration and self-reflection in his tone.
His mind circled back to the unusual encounter with Cappy. "Who would have thought that a caterpillar could understand human speech? Maybe I shouldn't have called him a 'pleb'," he pondered, wondering if his words had truly provoked some sort of reaction. He glanced over at the spot where Cappy had perched before flying off, his whereabouts now unknown.
"That little creature was quite something. His actions were strange, almost petty in a way." he mused, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips as he imagined improbable scenarios.
"But no, I doubt it would actually attack me. He's way more powerful than I am, and I'm just some insignificant human in this strange world."
Elian's thoughts took a darker turn, as he began to contemplate the possibility that Cappy might see him as a future meal. "Could it be that I'm just backup food supply for it?" he wondered aloud, only to quickly dismiss the thought.
"No, that's just my imagination running wild. He doesn't seem hostile towards me, and I really hope it stays that way."
His mind shifted to plans for the next day. "Tomorrow, I'll follow the river downstream. It's a source of water, and if I remember it correctly, there's that saying back on Earth – 'If in doubt, follow the river and you'll eventually find civilization,'" he recited, slightly adjusting the words. "Well, even if this isn't Earth, maybe the same principle still applies."
Exhaustion and uncertainty settled in as Elian's thoughts continued to swirl. As the night air grew cooler and the sounds of the forest surrounded him, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift into a restless sleep, hoping that the new day might bring a bit more clarity to the enigma he found himself in.
. . .
As the soft chirping of birds greeted Elian's awakening, he couldn't help but comment, "Well, guess I got a peaceful sleep after all. No howling wolves or crazy screams to wake me up."
Rising from his makeshift bed, he stretched and massaged his sore body, his fingers brushing against the smudges of blood and dirt that clung to his skin. He made his way towards the nearby river, bending down to wash his face in the cool water, his reflection staring back at him.
He studied the unfamiliar face before him – a young man with messy hair, now stained with remnants of his earlier struggles. Despite the grime, he couldn't help but be struck by the symmetry of his features.
"Seriously? Why does this face look so much better than my old one back on Earth? Not fair." he grumbled with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.
Examining his arm, he tried moving it tentatively. To his astonishment, the searing pain that had plagued him just the day before was nowhere to be found.
"This can't be normal. I mean, that injury should have been crippling, yet here I am moving it like nothing happened. Either someone or something healed me while I was asleep – which seems unlikely – or this body has some insane healing capabilities."
He wasn't entirely shocked at the abnormal turn of events – considering the bizarre occurrences he had already witnessed.
But he still remained unaware that the feats he demonstrated the day before was already beyond human norms, like his near escape from the reptilian creature. His speed, endurance, and agility had elevated to levels on par with world-class athletes.
. . .
Standing up and glancing at the sun just beginning to rise beyond the trees, Elian estimated the time. "Should still be early in the morning, I guess." he murmured, judging by the damp surroundings and the soft glow of dawn.
His eyes shifted towards the chunk of meat he had placed on the rock, and he shook his head with a mixture of distaste and hunger. "No way am I eating that again." he declared firmly, only to be met with a loud grumble from his stomach that seemed to disagree.
As his hunger became more noticeable, he found himself gazing at the meat once more, then back at his arms. He pondered for a moment, "Well, my arms seem to be working fine now. Maybe I can actually make a fire."
Exhaling a resigned sigh, he gathered twigs and leaves that could serve as fuel. Armed with the stones he had collected the day before, he attempted the traditional method of striking stones together to create a spark.
After numerous tries, his hands had become sore and numb from the repeated impacts, but there was still no spark in sight.
"Am I just dumb, or did I choose the wrong kind of stones? Probably the latter." he muttered, his frustration evident.
Shaking his hands to ease the tingling sensation, he glanced around his makeshift camp. Inspiration struck, and he remembered the bow drill method from his previous life. With newfound determination, he set about crafting a bow from materials he could find.
A sturdy branch and a piece of cord he made from tough plant fibers formed the makeshift tool.
Sitting down, he meticulously arranged the components – a notched fireboard, a pile of tinder beneath it, and the bow and spindle. With a resolute expression, he began rotating the bow, causing the spindle to spin against the fireboard. Friction generated heat, and he hoped fervently that this method would finally yield the fire he so desperately needed.
After a while of persistent effort, a wisp of smoke began to rise from the friction. With a renewed vigor, he quickened the bow's rotation while simultaneously blowing air into the tiny ember. His persistence paid off as the ember grew into a small flame, crackling and flickering with life.
With a triumphant grin, he gathered more tinder and carefully fed the nascent flame, ensuring it grew stronger. Once satisfied that the fire was stable, he proceeded to search for a suitable flat rock that he could use as a makeshift cooking surface. As he rinsed it in the river to clean it, his stomach rumbled in anticipation.
Finding a spot with several stones to serve as supports, he positioned the rock over the fire, creating an impromptu grill. Placing the meat on the rock, he watched as it sizzled and cooked under the heat. Hunger gnawed at him, but he focused on the task at hand.
"I should have brought something to season the meat." he muttered to himself, a hint of regret in his voice. Nonetheless, he wasn't about to complain about having food to eat. While the meat cooked, he fashioned a pair of crude chopsticks from some twigs, chuckling at the irony of his situation.
"Chopsticks, huh? Well, I might as well give them a try." he mused, even though his familiarity with using chopsticks was minimal at best. He held the makeshift utensils with determination, ready to savor his hard-earned meal.
The meat crackled and sizzled on the improvised grill, filling the air with its savory aroma. Elian's stomach growled in agreement, eager for sustenance after the challenges he'd faced.
As the meat turned golden brown, he allowed the fire to naturally die down, its purpose fulfilled. With a makeshift pad of leaves, he carefully lifted the hot stone and positioned himself seated by the riverbank.
Sitting down on the stone seat with the river's gentle babble as a soothing backdrop, he examined his cooked meal. It looked surprisingly appetizing, and his mouth watered in anticipation.
Using his improvised chopsticks, he took his first bite, and to his pleasant surprise, the taste was far from what he had expected.
The meat was tender and juicy, with a hint of smokiness from the open flame. While the texture was slightly chewy, it wasn't unpleasant; in fact, it added a certain character to the dish.
As he chewed, he savored the flavors, the warmth of the meal filling him both physically and emotionally.
As he ate, his thoughts drifted back to Cappy. He wondered where the creature had gone, whether it had a purpose or if it was simply off on its own adventures.
A faint sense of longing tugged at him, a strange connection forming between him and the enigmatic creature. He shook his head, focusing on his meal once again, determined to enjoy this small victory amidst the mysteries that surrounded him.