It had been a week since I had killed the grotesque rodent-like beast, and every day had felt like a new adventure—or maybe a twisted reality show. I had quickly learned that survival on this alien planet was a constant struggle, but I was starting to feel a strange sense of invincibility. After devouring the creature, I discovered a new trick: crushing its bones into a fine powder and mixing it with the meat. I figured it couldn't hurt; after all, bone broth was supposed to be good for you, right? I was practically a chef now, cooking up my own version of survival cuisine.
As I crunched through my makeshift meals, I imagined my bones strengthening with every bite. "This is it," I thought, flexing my arms, which felt slightly less like spaghetti noodles and more like... slightly sturdier spaghetti noodles. I mean, I was still pretty weak compared to that giant ape-like beast roaming the jungle, but there was a flicker of confidence that ignited within me. Who needed a gym membership when you could just eat your enemies? It was like I was becoming the ultimate warrior—one awkward meal at a time.
Still, a creeping thought gnawed at the back of my mind, was I really the only one on this planet I had been so focused on not getting eaten myself that I hadn't even considered the possibility of other beings out there. What if I was the last human alive? What if it turned out I was just an accidental alien castaway, stuck in a cosmic version of "Survivor"? I could just imagine the scenarios: me, stranded in the jungle,
I chuckled at the thought, though a shiver of anxiety prickled my skin. If there really was no one else, I would be left talking to myself like a castaway with a volleyball. "You know, Wilson, I was thinking… maybe I should try to build a raft or something. Or find a way back home…"
I was jolted out of my thoughts as I prepared for bed, curling up in my giant tree hollow. Just as I closed my eyes and let the soothing sounds of the jungle lull me into a false sense of security, a loud gunshot shattered the calm of the night.
"Holy—what was that?!" My heart raced as adrenaline surged through me, pulling me back to reality. I sat up straight, every muscle in my body tense. A gunshot? Here? In the middle of nowhere?
I quickly peeked out of my tree hollow, scanning the area for any signs of danger—or, you know, just an alien with a vendetta. Was this my chance to meet someone? Or had I inadvertently stumbled into a local hunting party? Either way, I was going to need a plan—preferably one that didn't involve being shot at.
"Okay, David," I whispered to myself, trying to steady my breath. "Time to channel my inner action hero."
I had to figure out who—or what—was out there, and whether it was friend or foe. I might still be weak compared to that giant ape-like creature, but I was no pushover. It was time to find out what was happening and why I was really sent here
I peered cautiously into the dense jungle, straining to identify the source of the gunshot. It echoed in my ears, and my pulse quickened with anticipation. As I inched closer, I caught a glimpse of movement—a massive shadow darting through the underbrush, a hulking figure on the prowl.
It was the same giant ape-like creature that had saved me from the wolf-like beast two weeks ago, its powerful frame towering among the trees. My heart raced as I recognized its muscular build and shaggy fur. But this time, it was not just wandering; it was charging toward something—or someone.
My heart sank as I caught sight of her: a girl dressed in light green and blue clothing, probably trying to match the environment, her striking white hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. She moved with a grace that contrasted sharply with the chaos around her, yet her eyes reflected a flicker of panic. The giant creature was closing in, and I could see it was intent on catching its prey.
I had to act fast. Fueled by adrenaline, I recalled my recent victories and the strength I had gained from devouring creatures in this world. Memories of crushing bones and tearing through flesh surged through my mind as I pushed my body to its limits. I dashed through the underbrush, each stride feeling more powerful than the last.
As I drew nearer, the girl turned, and our eyes met for a fleeting moment. Her expression shifted from fear to confusion, but I had no time to explain. Without hesitation, I scooped her up in my arms. To my surprise, she felt unusually heavy, a solid weight that caught me off guard. "What the—?" she yelped, startled.
"Hold on!" I shouted, not stopping to see if she complied. The towering ape-like creature was just a few strides behind us, its immense bulk crashing through the foliage. I sprinted deeper into the jungle, weaving through thick trees and low-hanging branches.
"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, a mix of bewilderment and indignation coloring her voice.
"Saving you from that thing!" I replied, glancing over my shoulder to see the massive beast gaining on us. My heart raced as the ground vibrated under its heavy footsteps, and I felt the weight of urgency pushing me forward.
As we ran, I couldn't help but notice just how tall she was—at least six foot ten, towering over me even as I carried her. My mind raced with thoughts: The people on this planet must be giants, just like the creatures that roam it. It was both unsettling and oddly fascinating.
In a burst of speed, I spotted a thick trunk ahead—an ancient tree with a hollow at its base, the perfect hideout. "In there!" I shouted, diving into the hollow and pulling her in behind me.
We crouched in the darkness, breaths coming in quick gasps as we listened to the creature's heavy panting echoing outside. The ground shook as it thrashed through the underbrush, searching for us.
"I can't believe this is happening," she said, her voice barely a whisper. I could feel the heat radiating off her body, and the tension between us was palpable.
"Just stay quiet," I urged, peering out of the hollow to see the hulking beast sniffing the air, its enormous form illuminated by the moonlight. It seemed to sense something, but it couldn't pinpoint our location.
For a moment, everything was still. My heart raced as I held my breath, watching the creature loom just outside. Would it find us? Would we be caught?
Then, without warning, it let out a frustrated roar and bounded away into the depths of the jungle, leaving us in stunned silence. I turned to the girl beside me, my mind racing with questions.
"What's your name?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Mira," she replied, still trying to catch her breath. "And you are…?"
"David," I said, a small smile creeping onto my face despite the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. "So… I guess we're in this together now."
As the adrenaline slowly ebbed away, I took a moment to really look at her. Mira was strikingly beautiful, her features sharp yet soft, illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the hollow. Her white hair seemed to glow, casting an ethereal aura around her. She had high cheekbones and lips that curved into a slight smile, even amidst the chaos we had just survived. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with a mix of fear and determination, and I found myself drawn into their depths.
It was a bizarre realization: despite the terrifying circumstances, she radiated a strength that was captivating. It was as if she belonged in this wild, untamed world, just like the creatures that roamed it. The thought sent a thrill through me.
MIRA'S POV
"So, Mira…" he began, his voice low and steady, but his eyes lingered on me as if trying to make sense of every detail.
I shifted my weight, still feeling the adrenaline pumping through my veins. There was something off about him—everything about him, really. He didn't look like anyone I'd ever seen before, and not just because he was… tiny. He barely stood over six feet, which made him at least a foot shorter than me, his frame lean and almost frail in comparison to my own. His skin had a strange tone to it, paler than anyone I knew. But it was his eyes—dark, searching, and haunted—that drew me in.
What is someone like you doing out here? I wondered silently. He seemed utterly out of place, yet there was a ruggedness to his appearance—his clothes were torn, dirt-stained, and his hands looked rough and calloused. He looked like he'd been living in this jungle for weeks, yet it didn't make any sense. No one—not even the most experienced hunters—ventured out here alone without weapons or gear. So what was his story?
"Why are you out here?" I finally asked, unable to keep the suspicion out of my voice. This wasn't just some lost hiker. And he wasn't some hunter either. He had no rifle, no visible weapons of any kind.
He hesitated, his gaze shifting away as if he was trying to find the right words. "I… I don't remember," he said slowly, like he was testing out the lie on himself. "I think I have amnesia or something. I just woke up out here, and everything's been a blur since."
I narrowed my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest as I studied him. "Amnesia?" I repeated, the word sounding ridiculous even as I said it. "You don't remember how you got here, or where you're from?"
He shook his head, his shoulders sagging slightly as if weighed down by some invisible burden. "No, I… I really don't. Just bits and pieces."
His voice was steady, but his eyes told a different story. They darted away too quickly, a subtle twitch of his jaw betraying him. He was hiding something. There was more he wasn't telling me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
"Right…" I muttered, leaning back slightly. A man alone in the jungle with no memory, yet somehow still alive? It didn't add up. And if he was lying about this, there had to be a reason. Could he be working for someone? Maybe he was sent by one of those people my father had crossed paths with back in his military days—the ones that held grudges over things best left buried. Dad had always said that old debts never truly disappeared, and old enemies never forgot.
My jaw tightened at the thought. If this man was somehow involved with any of those people… No. I didn't have any proof. All I knew was that if he was lying about being out here, then this whole situation could mean trouble for me—and my family.
"Okay," I said slowly, keeping my eyes fixed on him. "Let's say you don't remember anything. But why would you still be out here? Why not head back to civilization?"
David glanced away again, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I don't really know… I just… felt like I needed to stay."
His answer was vague, evasive, and yet I could see he was holding something back. Something big. But whatever it was, he wasn't ready to talk about it. Not yet, anyway. My instincts flared, warning me to be cautious. The man was a walking question mark, and I needed to be careful.
I let out a slow breath, deciding to let it go for now. If he wanted to hide something, he could keep hiding it. But I'd be keeping an eye on him, that was for sure. This whole situation is getting out of hand.
"Right…" I murmured, glancing at him again. There was something almost fascinating about him, like a puzzle I couldn't quite solve. He had saved me, true, but his appearance was so strange. He wasn't like anyone from our settlements, and yet he was still alive in a place no normal person could survive in alone.
Maybe he was stronger than he looked. Or maybe he was just lucky. Either way, I had to report this to my father. Dad needs to know about this.
I reached for my communicator, intending to call for extraction and tell him everything that had happened. But my hand brushed against the empty pocket of my jacket, and my heart plummeted.
"Dammit," I muttered, the curse slipping out before I could stop it. Where the hell is it? Panic flared, but I forced myself to think back. I must have dropped it while running from the ape… which meant it could be anywhere along the path we'd taken.
"What's wrong?" David asked, a flicker of concern crossing his face.
"My communicator… it's gone," I growled softly, trying not to let my frustration show. Without it, I couldn't call my father, couldn't get us out of here. "We're going to have to find a way back on foot."
David's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't say anything. For a moment, I saw something else flicker across his face—something almost like relief. But why? Why would he be relieved that we were stranded out here?
"Okay," he said finally, his voice calm and steady. "Then we'd better get moving."
I nodded stiffly, irritation prickling at me. This just kept getting better. First, a giant ape almost tearing me to pieces, then a weird little man with no memory, and now I was stranded in the middle of nowhere without a way to call for help.
"Just stay close," I muttered, stepping out of the hollow and into the jungle once more, with David trailing behind me. "And don't get any ideas."
He didn't respond, but I could feel his gaze on my back as we moved through the thick underbrush, the darkness closing in around us. I still couldn't make sense of what he was doing out here—or why he seemed almost comfortable in a place so dangerous and wild.
But one thing was certain: this stranger was more than he appeared. And until I figured out what his deal was, I'd have to keep him close. Too close.