It's still dark when the familiar sound of the window jolts me awake. It's almost like the buzzing of a phone, but I know exactly what it means. I blink groggily, my eyes half-open, and read the content of the hovering window: "Nights survived in the forest: 2/4."
I exhale in relief and stretch slightly. Two nights down. Two more to go, and I'll be out of this nightmare - or so I hope. The night was quiet. No wolf's growls, no mysterious rustling in the bushes. Just the soft rustling of the wind and the distant chirping of birds.
I shift slightly in my shelter, feeling the morning chill seep into my bones. My thin T-shirt and ragged pants - little more than rough strips of fabric - offer no real protection. My bare feet press against the hard ground, and the lack of shoes makes every step through the forest a challenge. I need to find a way to make this ordeal more bearable. Time to get started:
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Step 1: Create Useful Items for Daily Survival
As I make a plan to improve my daily life, it strikes me that I need something to carry food and water. Walking around with handfuls of berries or cupped water isn't practical. I need something sturdy and versatile - a makeshift basket sounds like just the thing for this situation.
It doesn't take long to find the first set of branches suitable for my plan. They're not too thick, not too thin, and many are already stripped of bark. I start breaking the branches into roughly equal lengths and arranging them into a basic framework.
Soon, my work falls into a rhythmic pattern. I weave the branches together, using thin, flexible twigs to bind them. It feels oddly natural, almost as if I have a hidden knack for basket-making. The result is crude but sturdy, and I'm honestly surprised at how functional it turns out to be. It should work well for storing berries, herbs, and maybe even water.
After a short while, I hold my first finished basket in my hands—a simple, bowl-shaped container large enough to hold some fresh berries or water. It doesn't have a handle, so it's more of a shallow bowl than a true basket, but it'll do for now. I grin, pleased with the small victory. Basket: check. Now for water and food.
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Step 2: Gather Water
The forest greets me with a crisp freshness as I wander along the path toward the stream. The water here looks clear, and I'm relieved to rediscover the wide, babbling brook—after the wolf chased me through the forest, I'd worried I might not find it again.
The morning air is still chilly, and the sun hasn't climbed high enough to warm the earth. A cool breeze rustles the leaves as I inhale deeply, the cold air filling my lungs. It feels refreshing, but thoughts of my family weigh on me. What are they doing right now? Do they miss me?
Shaking my head, I mutter, "Focus, Hiroshi. Get through this first."
Looking at the water and then at my makeshift bowl, I wonder how best to transport the water back. Carrying it in my hands isn't efficient, but the basket isn't watertight—it has gaps and openings everywhere. After a moment of thought, I find a simple solution: I line the basket with a large leaf, creating a sort of liner to hold the water more securely. It's not perfect, but it'll work for now.
Carefully, I fill the basket with water and balance it as I make my way back to my "home." It takes a while, but the path is manageable, and the cool water feels soothing against my hands. It's a small success, but it's progress.
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Back at my shelter, I pause to examine it with a sense of pride. Yet, a thought nags at me: climbing up to this tree-hideout is still too tricky, especially in a panic. I need a faster and safer way to get up - but without giving the wolf or other creatures the same access.
I set out to create a makeshift ladder. I find a relatively thin but long tree trunk that looks perfect for the job. After trimming and preparing it, I begin attaching small branches at even intervals to serve as rungs. Flexible twigs hold everything together, creating a basic ladder.
To protect against unwelcome visitors, I arrange a few large branches at an angle around the base of the tree, forming a sort of barricade. It's not foolproof, but it might slow down larger animals, like the wolf, that try to climb up after me.
Satisfied with the work, I test the ladder. It's stable, albeit a little rough, but it's much easier than scrambling up the tree. The barricade isn't perfect, but it adds a small layer of security. I can't help but feel a bit more prepared for tonight—though I doubt it'll stop a determined wolf of that size.
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As the afternoon fades into evening, the sun dips behind the treetops. The air grows cooler, a signal that night is approaching. But today, I feel more prepared. I have water, a basket to carry supplies, and a ladder to retreat quickly if the wolf comes back.
Standing at the edge of my shelter, I glance out at the darkening forest. The shadows grow longer as the evening deepens, and the sounds of the forest shift to a nocturnal rhythm.
Taking a deep breath, I whisper to myself, "Two more nights. Let's hope the days are as calm as today."