Chapter 1 – The First Day in a New World
Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, warming the damp earth beneath. Jack Stormy slowly opened his eyes. His head felt heavy, his body cold, and the unfamiliar scent of the forest filled his nostrils.
He blinked a few times, trying to grasp the situation. The sounds of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves in the wind stood in stark contrast to the eerie silence surrounding him.
"What the hell…?"
Jack quickly sat up, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. No tents. No sounds of his comrades. Only towering trees and thick undergrowth. His mind raced to recall what had happened. The last thing he remembered was resting at a military camp in Russia. There had been no warnings, no explosions, no signs of a forced relocation.
His hands instinctively checked his gear. A Glock 19 with a full magazine, two spare mags, a military knife, a tactical vest, and a small survival pouch. That was it. No heavy weapons. No radio communication.
Jack took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. Panic wouldn't help—it would only get him killed faster. He had to focus on his priorities: ensuring his safety, finding water, and understanding his environment.
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Moving cautiously, Jack began exploring the forest. He noted the vegetation, listened to the sounds of nature, and mentally mapped out potential shelter spots.
After several minutes of careful walking, he stumbled upon a small stream. Water meant survival. Kneeling down, he splashed his face and took a few cautious sips.
Once he confirmed the water was safe, he turned his attention to food. With no rations, hunting was his only option. Using his survival skills, he set up a simple snare trap using sticks and vines. Within an hour, a small rabbit was caught.
With practiced efficiency, he ended its life with his knife. No emotion—only the need to survive.
As the hours passed, Jack gathered enough food and began searching for shelter. He found a small cave, deep enough to provide cover but not so enclosed that it blocked his escape routes.
Using dry wood, he started a small fire to cook his catch. The scent of roasting meat filled the air, offering a brief moment of comfort amid the uncertainty.
As night fell, Jack leaned against the cave wall, Glock still in hand. His eyes flickered between the fire and the darkness beyond, his mind struggling to piece together what had happened.
Where am I? How did I get here?
The questions kept circling in his head, but there were no answers. For now, he had only one mission: survive.
The small fire flickered, casting dim orange light against the rough cave walls. Thin wisps of smoke curled upward into the cold night air, carrying the scent of freshly roasted rabbit meat. Jack sat with his back against a rough stone surface, his Glock firmly in his right hand while his left slowly lifted a piece of meat to his mouth. It was bland, lacking any seasoning, but it was enough to fill his stomach and restore some of his energy.
Silence.
Only the soft crackling of the fire and the occasional rustling of wind through the trees filled the night. Jack remained alert. He had no idea what kind of creatures roamed this forest.
After finishing his meal, he took out his knife and carefully inspected the cave. It wasn't very deep—only about five meters before coming to a dead end. There were no signs of large animals living here, though faint claw marks on some of the rocks suggested that something had passed through before. That was enough to keep him on guard.
Reaching into his gear, he pulled out a small rope and tied a few empty cans he had found near the stream earlier. A simple alarm trap. If anything entered the cave, the rattling cans would give him an early warning.
Jack returned to his spot by the fire, his eyes staring into the dancing flames. He let out a long breath.
I'm alone.
The reality of his situation was sinking in. No teammates. No radio. No way to call for backup. This wasn't just another military operation in enemy territory. This was… something else. Something that didn't make sense.
He looked up at the night sky through the cave's entrance. The stars shone brighter than anything he had ever seen on Earth. No light pollution. No distant sounds of aircraft or vehicles. This world felt… primitive yet mysterious.
Suddenly, an owl swooped past the entrance, letting out a hoarse screech that echoed through the trees. Jack instinctively raised his Glock, his eyes scanning the darkness. But there was no further movement.
He exhaled slowly and lowered his pistol back onto his lap.
I can't keep living like this.
Jack knew that survival was only the first step. Tomorrow, he had to find more information about this place. Maybe there were signs of civilization, maybe there were tracks to follow. He couldn't just hide in this cave forever.
With countless questions still swirling in his mind, Jack finally closed his eyes. He slept in a half-sitting position, his pistol still firmly in his grasp—ready for whatever the first night in this unknown world had in store for him.