Robert wakes up early in the morning with the sun peeking through the door which was currently ajar. He stretches a little on the wooden bed before rotating, his feet hovering above the floor. A deep breath and he drops. His legs nearly buckle from the sudden pressure of being in use after days of unuse.
He locks his knees and rights himself. Slowly and with baited breath does he leave the hut. Pushing open the heavy wooden door let's the sight of a lifetime.
The sun rising over a mountain overlooking the village before him. There were some twenty buildings he could see with fifty people milling about on the street. Some looked up from their errands, most did not, and fewer actually stared at him.
Robert ignored that and simply started wandering, trying to get used to walking again. It's not such an easy feat though as he trips and stumbles every now and then, eliciting soft chuckles from the observant.
An hour of walking leaves Robert gasping for breath as he tries to regain the cardio he lost. He sinks to the dirt and lays down, staring off into the sky. How long was he out? It must've been a long time because even walking is a great undertaking. Was it a week, a month, longer?
Though it pains him, he doesn't have the time to doddle on such questions and instead chooses to stand up and walk. One foot in front of the other, over and over again. Just keep going, just keep going, don't stop, don't falter, don't keel over.
Rob walks for another hour, the wet dirt underneath him squelches as he comes to a stop. Before him lies a forest who's canopy lets in no light, leaving it dark as night. The feeling of crawling bugs and skittering insects works its way up Rob's spine as he stares into the forest. His heart beats faster and faster as he takes an inching step, then another and another.
He's about to enter the forest when a strong arm grabs the back of his shirt and yanks him back. Adrenaline pumps instantly into the bloodstream as fight or flight kicks in. He whirls around to see a much taller figure towering above him.
The hulking figure leans over and brings her face a mere inch away from his. Her eyes alight with a fury that turns even the most frenzied blood cold. With a gruff voice, she asks, "Why were you entering that forest again? Is it common in your family to spit on your saviour's face??"
Robert stared at her while attempting to grab hold of his words. Silence drags on before finally he drops his head. "No, no it's not common. I'm… I'm thankful for you saving me."
She looks at him a little more then pulls back and sticks out her right hand. "My name's Rebecca Ní'Gael, the greatest marksman this side of the hills. No doubt you're proud to have seen me." she says. Robert takes her hand, giving a firm shake. "My names Robert T. Morrow. Let's get along in the future."
And as such, Robert has made his first friend. How sweet.