After walking for some time, Ryan found a small patch of grass that grew much lusher than the rest. The damp soil beneath hinted at water being nearby. Ryan began digging with a piece of bamboo he found, hoping to strike water.
He dug a pit about as deep as his arm but only found slightly damp soil. Just as he started doubting his method, a small trickle of water began to seep through the bottom of the pit.
It wasn't much, just a shallow puddle, but it was proof that he was on the right track. He tasted the water—muddy but fresh. It wasn't the cleanest, but it was better than nothing.
Ryan covered the pit with a piece of foam he found, weighing it down with stones to keep debris out. He knew it would take time for more water to seep through, so he continued his search along the coastline.
After walking a little farther, Ryan spotted something even better—a rock formation with fresh water dripping down its side. The flow wasn't fast, just a few drops per second, but it was something.
He quickly placed his plastic bottle under the dripping water and waited patiently for it to fill. Lying next to the rock, he felt the cooling sensation of the moisture in the air and found peace in the rhythmic dripping of the water. For the first time in days, he felt relief.
After some time passed, the bottle was half full. He eagerly picked it up, took a small sip, and let the fresh water soothe his dry throat. He savored the moment.
Though the water had a slightly salty taste, it was far better than nothing. Ryan took his time, sipping slowly, then set the bottle back under the drip to collect more.
Once he was satisfied, he returned to the shelter to grab a larger plastic bucket for better water collection. As he walked back to the water source, Poliwag followed behind him, curious and still recovering from its earlier shouting match with Wingull.
When they reached the water point, the bottle was nearly full. Ryan picked it up and offered some to Poliwag, who licked it up eagerly.
With fresh water now available, Ryan felt a new sense of hope. Soon, they could even make soup. It wasn't much, but it was progress, and progress was survival.
As Ryan continued to monitor the water collection, he realized that he could gather enough in a day to support them—about 20 liters if everything went as planned. With water secured, the next step would be making a proper meal, hopefully with a bit more than just grilled fish.
For now, though, they were one step closer to thriving on this island.
Ryan glanced up at the cloudless blue sky, letting out a sigh. "It would be perfect if a bit of rain could cool down this unbearable heat," he thought. The sun was relentless, and the sea breeze offered no relief. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and discarded the impurities left at the bottom of his cup. Then, he filled it with fresh water and set it on the fire to boil. There wasn't much to enjoy about the taste—it was more about the fact that the water was safe to drink.
With nothing else to do, Ryan placed his hands behind his head and lay back on a large boulder, staring at the unchanging seascape. He was waiting for the tide to recede, the perfect time to forage for shells, conches, kelp, and whatever else the ocean left behind. With some luck, he might be able to make a decent seafood soup for dinner.
The thought of the warm soup made his stomach growl, but it was just too hot to move. Besides, he hadn't eaten anything all day—not even breakfast or lunch. Ryan wasn't cut out for survival in the wild. He wasn't like those desert island survival experts who could go three days without food and not flinch. But at least there was still one meal left today, or he'd be in serious trouble.
Going from a world of easy access to food to a life where every meal was a challenge, and sleeping outdoors was the norm—it was a hard adjustment. Modern conveniences like warm beds and instant food were distant memories. Here, the uninhabited island offered nothing but endless hunger, sunburn, and the constant threat of thirst.
Ryan had nearly died of dehydration when he first arrived. But now, thinking of his potential seafood feast, he dozed off, only to be woken by a warm, wet tongue licking his face.
"Yo! Yo!" came the familiar sound of his companion, a Poliwag, desperately trying to wake him.
Ryan's eyes flew open, and he let out a startled yelp. "Don't eat me! Don't eat me!" In his half-asleep state, he thought he was being devoured by some monstrous Pokémon. Scrambling to sit up, his hands flailed, and his legs kicked sand everywhere. Only after a moment of pure panic did Ryan realize it was just the Poliwag, concerned for his safety.
He breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at the horizon. The sun was dipping low, casting a warm orange glow. "Man, this heat really gets to me," Ryan muttered. "First, I fall asleep, then I dream of being swallowed by Kyogre!"