The sun was rising slowly over the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees as you sat near your makeshift campfire. The night had been restless, filled with the unfamiliar sounds of wildlife that didn't exist in the world you knew. Your mind still buzzed with a thousand thoughts—how could this have happened, why *you*, and more urgently, how would you survive in this strange past?
But as the fire crackled quietly before you, a new feeling began to take hold. Fear had given way to something else—determination. You weren't just some helpless time traveler. You had tools, knowledge, and a way to adapt. You knew you couldn't hide forever.
You reached into your bag, pulling out your vape. The 21st century luxury felt bizarre in your hand against the backdrop of 1810, but it grounded you. You took a long, slow hit, savoring the nicotine and the familiar flavor of the juice. The vapor cloud dissipated into the cool morning air. You weren't going to hide this. Why should you? These people had no idea what this device was, and to them, it was no more strange than anything else you carried. This was your advantage—being unpredictable, mysterious.
You leaned back, exhaling another puff as you considered your next move. If you were going to make it here, you couldn't just rely on the settlers' kindness. You needed to use what you had—and figure out a way to sustain yourself long term.
The settlers had been somewhat welcoming but wary. Samuel and his people were good-hearted, yet they didn't trust easily. You had been careful with your tools so far, not wanting to frighten them with devices they couldn't understand. But you knew that in this world, what seemed strange could also seem powerful. If you used your knowledge wisely, it could earn you respect—or at least keep you from being seen as an outsider for too long.
As you packed up your things for the day, you noticed the air was different—there was a tension that wasn't there before. You couldn't place it, but something felt off. You figured it might just be nerves from the previous day's encounter with the Shawnee, but you couldn't shake the feeling.
### **Tools of Survival**
Later that morning, you made your way back to the settlement. You had an idea brewing, one that could help win over the settlers. Your solar panel had been in your bag the whole time, untouched since your arrival. You knew that if you could show them what it was capable of, it might change the way they saw you. The sun was out, bright and clear—perfect for recharging the few batteries you had left.
You found a small clearing near the cabins and unfolded the panel, carefully propping it up to catch the sunlight. It looked strange, undeniably foreign, but you didn't let it bother you. You connected the wires to your PWM controller and then rigged the 12V 16Ah battery to start charging. The whole process was quiet and methodical, but you knew it would get attention.
Sure enough, one of the settlers, a woman named Ruth, wandered over. She had seen you messing with the panel and approached, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"What's that you're doing?" she asked, her voice tinged with both suspicion and fascination.
You smiled, not wanting to come off as too secretive. "It's a way to catch the sunlight and turn it into energy," you said, knowing full well that your explanation was probably going over her head. "It helps power some of the tools I carry."
She stared at the panel for a long moment, her brow furrowed. "We've never seen such things here."
"I figured as much," you replied. "But it's useful. It'll help me help you."
You let her watch as the battery slowly charged. It was a small step, but it felt like progress. As Ruth left, likely to share the strange sight with the rest of the settlement, you couldn't help but feel a growing sense of purpose. You might be stuck in 1810, but you could carve out a place here—maybe even thrive.
### **Another Encounter**
By mid-afternoon, your thoughts were interrupted by a rustling in the distance. You looked up, scanning the treeline. That strange tension you'd felt earlier returned, only now it was clearer—you weren't alone. Slowly, carefully, you stood and walked toward the source of the sound, staying alert.
Emerging from the woods were three Shawnee men, their eyes locked on you. You recognized one of them—the same leader from your first encounter. His stern gaze hadn't softened, but there was no hostility in his expression, just... curiosity.
They approached without speaking, and you held your ground. You weren't afraid, not now. These men were part of this land, just as much as the settlers were, and you needed to understand them if you were going to survive here.
The leader of the group stepped forward, his eyes falling on your bag of tools. He gestured toward it, saying something in Shawnee that you couldn't understand, but his intent was clear. He wanted to see what you carried.
Without hesitation, you unzipped the bag and carefully pulled out some of the components—a bundle of wires, your vape, and some of the other electrical odds and ends. The Shawnee man studied them closely, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of the strange items.
One of the younger men reached for the vape. You handed it over carefully, showing him how to use it. When the first cloud of vapor escaped from his lips, the other men looked at each other in surprise, but not fear. You smiled. To them, it must have seemed like some kind of magic, but you had no intention of hiding it. They passed the vape between them, sharing a few experimental puffs, clearly intrigued.
Then the leader pointed to the solar panel, which was still charging in the sunlight. You walked over and knelt by the panel, explaining as best as you could through gestures and basic words. You showed them how it absorbed the sun and how the wires connected to the battery. They watched with an intensity that told you they were trying to understand, even if the concepts were beyond their current grasp.
The leader spoke again, and this time you caught the word "power." It seemed like they understood at least part of what you were doing. You nodded, trying to communicate that this "power" could be shared. You weren't here to take anything from them or harm their way of life. If anything, you could help.
The leader said something to the others, and after a brief conversation, they nodded and turned back toward the woods. But before they left, the leader looked back at you. He pointed to your bag, then to the settlement in the distance, and finally toward the sun. His meaning was clear: *He would be watching.*
You exhaled deeply as they disappeared back into the forest. The encounter had been strange, but not hostile. You sensed there was a cautious understanding between you now. The Shawnee knew you had something different, something powerful, but they weren't afraid of it. They were curious, just like the settlers.
### **Bridging Two Worlds**
Over the next few weeks, you started to find a rhythm. You'd help the settlers with small tasks, offering advice on things like building fires more efficiently or reinforcing their structures. They still didn't fully trust you, but they had begun to see that you weren't a threat. The solar panel intrigued them, and though they didn't grasp its full potential, they respected it. You kept it mostly for yourself, using it to keep your few tools functional. The vape had become a small ritual in your day—your way of holding onto the life you once knew, though you weren't hiding it anymore. The settlers had grown accustomed to seeing you take the occasional puff, though they still gave you strange looks.
But the Shawnee continued to visit. Each time they came, the interactions were a little more open, a little more comfortable. They watched you work, sometimes even helping you gather wood or observing as you fixed a few things for the settlers. There was a quiet respect building between you and the leader, though words were few.
One afternoon, you managed to charge the 12V battery enough to power the soldering iron. As you soldered some components together to make a more efficient connection for your setup, the Shawnee men watched in awe. You could see the wheels turning in their minds. These men were hunters, warriors, and survivalists. They understood tools, and they were beginning to see that yours—though strange—had value.
In time, you realized that you were becoming something of a bridge. You didn't fully belong to the settlers, and you certainly weren't Shawnee. But you had knowledge that both groups were interested in. If you could play your cards right, you might just be able to carve out a place for yourself in this strange, new-old world.
The afternoon sun bathed the clearing in a soft, golden light, the warmth seeping through the trees as you settled into the rhythm of this unfamiliar life. Days had passed since the Shawnee's second visit, and while their presence was constant—like shadows in the woods—there was a palpable change in their demeanor. You had moved from being a strange curiosity to something more substantial, though you still couldn't fully understand what that meant.
With each passing day, the settlers grew more accustomed to your peculiar tools. Samuel had stopped asking questions about the solar panel. Ruth still looked at it with suspicion, but she now nodded her head when passing by, as if acknowledging its place in this new order of things.
Today, the battery was nearly charged, and you carefully plugged in your soldering iron, watching the tip heat up slowly. The smell of flux hit your nose as you began soldering wires together, preparing to build a small, rudimentary light source—a way to test the limits of your modern technology in this older world. Your mind raced as you worked. In a time where oil lamps and candlelight were the norm, something as simple as a bright, constant light could be revolutionary.
The Shawnee had come earlier, watching from the edge of the clearing, but today their presence lingered longer than usual. The leader, whom you had begun to think of as Elk Eye because of his sharp, assessing gaze, stood with his arms crossed, his men waiting silently behind him. You glanced up from your work, meeting his eyes. There was no hostility there, just patient observation, as if he were waiting for something—waiting to see what you would do next.
You finished your soldering and held up the small light, now powered by the battery you'd rigged through the solar panel. The Shawnee men stepped closer, curiosity lighting their faces as you flipped the switch and the light burst into life. The small bulb glowed steadily, casting a warm beam across the darkening clearing.
Elk Eye's eyes widened slightly, though his face remained impassive. One of the younger Shawnee warriors murmured something to him in their language. They exchanged a few words, then Elk Eye took a step forward, reaching out toward the light. You hesitated for a moment, but then handed it to him, watching as he turned the simple object over in his hands, studying the craftsmanship.
You could see the gears turning in his mind, not so different from your own when you first learned how to manipulate modern electronics. He motioned to the wires, pointing to the solar panel, the battery, then back to you, his face finally softening into something like approval. He didn't need to speak; the message was clear. You understand power. You know how to harness the world around you in ways we don't. That is something we respect.
As they turned to leave, Elk Eye spoke a single word: "Tomorrow." Then, without another glance, they disappeared into the trees, leaving you with more questions than answers. Tomorrow? What was happening tomorrow?
A Test of Trust
The next morning dawned heavy with anticipation. The word "tomorrow" had echoed in your mind all night, but you had no idea what to expect. Were the Shawnee planning something? Was it a test of sorts, or perhaps another encounter to further assess your place among them?
You decided to prepare, charging the batteries fully and packing your bag with the essentials: wires, the small soldering kit, your vape, and the few components you had left. You weren't sure what you might need, but experience told you that being prepared was your best bet.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the sound of footsteps approached the settlement. It wasn't Samuel or Ruth this time; it was the Shawnee. Elk Eye and his men had returned, but there were more of them now. Six warriors stood at the edge of the clearing, their presence commanding respect. You noticed they had brought something with them—large bundles wrapped in deer hide, carried over their shoulders. Elk Eye stepped forward, his eyes locking onto yours with a look that was both inviting and challenging.
"You come," he said in broken English, motioning for you to follow. His voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for hesitation.
You grabbed your bag and followed, feeling the eyes of the settlers on your back as you left the relative safety of the cabins and ventured into the dense forest. The Shawnee moved swiftly, their footsteps nearly silent on the forest floor, and you had to quicken your pace to keep up.
After what felt like an hour of walking, the trees began to thin, revealing a wide riverbank. The Shawnee stopped, dropping their bundles on the ground. Elk Eye turned to you, his face serious, and pointed to the water. "We need strong."
He crouched down and unwrapped one of the bundles, revealing a collection of materials—long wooden poles, animal hides, and strips of sinew, alongside sharp stones and bone tools. The Shawnee were clearly preparing for something important. You noticed them eyeing the river with purpose, the current slow but strong enough to make transporting anything heavy a challenge.
The younger warriors set to work quickly, binding the wood together into a sturdy frame using sinew and the animal hides to waterproof sections. Elk Eye, however, stepped back, gesturing toward the river and then to you. He was asking you to help—but not just with the physical labor. He wanted to see if your strange knowledge could offer a solution beyond their traditional methods.
You paused, thinking fast. The solar panel was useless in this dense shade, but your 18650 batteries were still charged. Pulling out some wire and components from your bag, you got an idea. You had a few DC motors among your parts—a simple yet effective tool in any setting. With a few twists and connections, you could use it to create a small device to help them lift and move the logs or materials, making the labor less intense.
Elk Eye and the others watched closely as you crouched beside them, pulling out your tools. You set the batteries aside and began connecting the motor to a crude frame, using wires to secure it and creating a simple pulley system. The Shawnee were no strangers to manual pulleys and levers, but the small motorized assistance you were rigging up would offer something new—a way to save strength and move heavier objects with less effort.
The work took time, but the warriors' eyes never left your hands, observing every movement. Once you completed your setup, you connected the batteries to the motor and showed them how it worked. The motor whirred to life, spinning the small pulley system you'd improvised. With some effort, you tied the rope to one of the larger logs they'd gathered and demonstrated, guiding it up the riverbank more smoothly than their hands alone could have managed.
The younger warriors exchanged glances, impressed but cautious. One of them approached the setup and mimicked your actions, pulling another log up with ease. The realization of how useful this small, motorized tool could be sank in, and their initial hesitation gave way to curiosity and enthusiasm.
As the logs were hauled up one by one, the younger warriors' excitement grew. A few murmurs passed between them, and for the first time, you saw Elk Eye's stoic expression soften. He gave a nod of approval, clearly impressed not only with your strange tools but with how you had adapted your knowledge to their methods.
By the time the last log was dragged up, the mood had shifted. There was a sense of camaraderie in the air as the warriors clapped each other on the back, grinning at their efficiency. Elk Eye approached you, his face serious but not unkind. He nodded once more and spoke a single word in Shawnee, which you didn't understand but guessed meant something like "good" or "strong." You didn't need translation for the respect in his tone.
As the sun began to dip below the treeline, casting long shadows over the river, Elk Eye extended his hand to you. His gesture was one of mutual respect—one craftsman acknowledging another. You shook his hand, feeling a surge of accomplishment wash over you. It was a small victory, but it meant you had done more than survive. You had contributed, shown your worth, and earned a place in their eyes.
The two worlds—yours and theirs—might have been separated by time and knowledge, but here, on the banks of the river, you had found a way to bridge that gap. The Shawnee now saw you not just as an outsider with strange tools, but as someone who could bring real value to their way of life.
Returning to the Settlement
When you returned to the settlement that evening, the mood was different. The settlers had seen you leave with the Shawnee, and now they watched as you came back. Samuel was waiting near the entrance, his face drawn into a frown, but there was no mistaking the curiosity in his eyes.
"Everything all right?" he asked, his voice cautious.
You nodded, not offering much more than that. You weren't ready to explain everything just yet, but you could tell that your standing had shifted. Samuel looked at you with a new kind of respect, as if the mere fact that you had returned unharmed from your time with the Shawnee was proof enough that you were someone to be reckoned with.
As night fell, you sat by the fire again, the familiar weight of the vape in your hand. You took a slow drag, the vapor rising into the cool night air, and reflected on the day. You had used your tools not just to survive, but to thrive—to make connections, to build trust. And in a world that wasn't your own, that was the most valuable currency you could have.
You didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but you knew one thing for certain: you were no longer just a stranger in this time. You had a place here now, among both the settlers and the Shawnee. And as long as you had your knowledge—and your tools—you would find a way to carve out a life in this strange, new world.