Short Story 1: The Lost Adventurer

Hello, my name is Jack. Jack Kilver, the famous explorer to be specific. I've always been proud of my legacy and fame. I worked hard and went to places that no other humans dared, in order to gain fame and glory. Through monster-ridden areas, I have braved the most dangerous places for any human. I did everything I could to reach the top of the world. But this was my downfall. Before I go on, I hope that you take the time to take in what I say and not to write me off. This letter or more small novel I guess is to show you, to show everyone what happened to me doesn't change who I am. I am me and I always will be. So, let's get started. It starts when I heard about this place where even the supernatural would not go. Not the werewolves or vampires, not even giants. The reason why however was not because of a deadly beast or wild magic but because of the heat. It was a desert which might be the hottest place in this world. Whenever I left the safety of the city, I would be constantly on alert. Monsters everywhere you go, deadly beasts that would rip you apart once given chance. But this place was just dealing with the heat. If I could get through, I would be able to say that I've gone where no creature, magic or otherwise has been before. The thrill that came from the thought overcame me. The feeling was like a life of its own. I was going to make the journey, no matter what. That day, I started my preparations. I got maps of the areas but since it was such a deserted area only the outskirts had been recorded. Using the outskirts though, I was able to calculate the distance from on end to the other in a straight line. I had to figure out the rations and supplies I would need. If I took too much, it would weigh me down thus requiring more work. Take too little and I would die.

Eventually, the day came, I had it all planned out. The supplies I would need, how long it would take and the path I would take if my calculations were correct. The journey would be done alone with no help from anyone. It would all be live-streamed using the implants in my eyes and a drone which would be following me. This way everyone could see my journey constantly and no one could say I cheated. I made my way to the edge of the city to be escorted to the starting point by the military. The military was on all sides of me, watching out for any beasts that may come on the attack before entering the desert. Once I departed, the military would move to the endpoint to pick me up. They couldn't stay there forever though, so they gave me a deadline for two weeks. The desert wasn't overly large like others I know so it did not seem like an impossible feat. I had it so that the drone was the only one recording for my speech. Being able to switch the recording view from the drone to the implants with just thought was like magic, it still amazes me how far we have come as species despite all the dangers of this world. I stood proud in front of the drone and made my speech which was broadcasted through every city which we have created. I prayed to the gods asking for their favour in the endeavour. The main focus of my pray was Veggeil, the goddess of travel. Then I moved into the desert leaving the protection of the army behind me.

The first three days were going well, I walked during the night and slept during the day to make sure I didn't lose too much water through sweat using a torch to see my surroundings. Make no mistake, it was still incredibly hot at night in this desert, but I just needed to minimize the water loss. After the fourth day, weariness was constant. I felt it hard to stay awake at any given time, but I pushed forward. When I finally neared the end of the journey it had been a week and 5 days, so close to the army which was waiting for me. Then there was a change in the air. It was colder, so much colder. It was night but even at night, it was hot. Because of this, the cold air was a relief at first, feeling the cool breeze flow over me but there was tension in the air. Something had entered the desert as well. I'm not fully sure how I knew it was there, but I could feel it. The anxiety hit me first, I found myself looking all around me for any sign that there was a creature near me. I could feel how frantically my neck moved as I surveyed my surroundings. When I started to calm down a little my eyes met the silhouette of a man. My implants short-circuited instantly. And I'm sure the last thing that my drone saw was the look of horror and shock on my face as he stepped into view.

I'm not sure what happened next. The man or shadow... I'm still not quite sure what it was, had disappeared. I was confused, disoriented. I tried to stand up and vomited immediately. The vomit burnt my throat as it came up and when I looked at it was purple and bubbling. The memories started to come back. The last thing I saw was the man standing there then it was all black. The cave was too dark for me to see anything, my eyes could not make out anything besides what was directly in front of me, but I still knew where every living thing in the cave was. I could... smell them, sense the heat they gave off. I could even fill the change in the air as the animals moved. I couldn't tell you how. I scrambled off the floor and managed to stop myself from vomiting. My legs were flopping about as if I was new to walking. I felt sluggish like I had almost no energy to move. It was too much, I couldn't stay there, I had to get out. I stumbled and crawled trying to find a way out of there. I had lost my sense of time and I don't know how long it took me but when I finally got out of that blasted cave I gulped in the hot desert air. It was like I could finally breathe after almost drowning. The sun was as hot as it had always been, but it no longer bothered me. In fact, from it, I could feel my energy coming back. I was getting more energized by the second, feeling braver and more alive. I felt like a new man, one that could run forever. The fear was fading with this new sense of wonder. I felt so strong. With the fear fading, I began to notice other needs. Namely, thirst and hunger like I had never known before. It was then I started to question how long I had been in the cave. Was the deadline over? The thoughts were quickly pushed aside by the need for water and food. I knew that I should walk to conserve my energy but my body had other ideas. I ran, faster than I had ever ran before. My legs looked like blurs when I looked down at them. I had no idea where I was going, just that I had the idea or I guess more accurately instinct that I had to run this way. It was only after running for a few minutes that I realized what was happening. I could sense water, I'm not sure how but I had somehow instinctually located and was running towards the water. As I came up the last sand dune after running what I believe fifty kilometres in 7 minutes, I had the second biggest shock of the journey, it was a village. There were people in this desert. Not monsters either, actual humans. I now believe they are ancestors of a community who didn't believe in staying within cities. The water I had sensed was coming from a well which I spotted in the middle of the village. I cautiously made my way to it. I was worried that the villagers would not take kindly to strangers but as they saw me then just ran off. Some even screamed before running. I was curious about why but it was a small matter compared to the water before me. I grabbed the rope that was attached to the bucket below. I pulled the rope with more strength than I knew I had. The bucket came flying out spilling the water into the air. I was able to catch a few drops into my mouth and lips. I lowered the bucket once more and gently pulled it out this time. As soon as it was within reach, I grabbed it, pulled my head back and drank. I drank almost the whole bucket in one go. Eventually lowered the bucket and looked down at it. As I soon as I saw my reflection, I jumped away from the well. Suddenly my mind went back to the screaming and running villagers. I cast it aside as them not ever having strangers in the village and my need for water was overwhelming but it made sense now. My eyes. They were bright red with vertical pupils. The shock of my eyes has quickly replaced the shock of my tongue which flung out without my even realizing it. It was forked and long... like a snake. How long had it been flicking on its own? The memories came back, of how the shadow man had grabbed me and that snake... and.... oh, Gods, I can feel pain again just writing about this. I had to get out of this desert. Still hungry, I ran off from the village as fast I could. My legs feeling like they could launch me into the sky. I hadn't noticed at the time but I believed that I was running even faster than before. I hoped that the soldiers hadn't left yet and that they waiting to see if I was just behind schedule. I was using the sun as my guide and after an hour or so of running, I found the soldiers. They must have come into the desert find me in the desert... but when they saw me. What I am now, they shot without hesitation. But I was fast, I was able to move quickly enough dodge just before they could take the shot. I could feel my body, getting stronger and faster with every second the sun was upon me. But I was also starting to overheat, even in my now ragged clothes. I knew that any attempts of conversation with the soldiers would fall on deaf ears. They saw me as the enemy now, one of the monsters. I could never go home like this. They would shun me or kill me now. My mind went to my mother. She was elderly but had a strong mind. What would she think of me know. I fled but, in my hurry, to get away I wasn't prepared to dodge some of the bullets. Two hit me, one in hip and the other in the shoulder but I was able to disappear into the desert It's been about a month since that day. I've made a base near the village I've discovered.

Anyway, the point of this is to show that I am not a monster. I am still the man who enjoyed adventures and his people. I am the man who would do anything for the spotlight, to be known. As greedy as that might sound, that is who I am. I want to be able to help humankind not attack or destroy. With the new skills, I process I can easily be of service. So, I'm asking, if you think I'm worthy of keeping around come find me. I will remain in the desert until I am notified in any way, I'll know if anyone from the city enters. Please come find me soon, I grow hungrier and there isn't much food here. I am still me.

Please, I just want to go home.