Adapt

In a damp and lush evergreen forest, is a woman that is looking around, confused by her surroundings. In her eyes is a light of worry, but covered by the blinding glow of determination.

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I felt the chilling temperature of the forest caress my slightly shivering body, slowly depriving me of precious heat, despite the faint light I could see from the tops of the trees, light that pierced the leaves' cover.

"This is not good, if the forest's temperature is already this cold while it is still daytime, the evening would not be fun. I should find a shelter, though hopefully a place with a water source in a nearby area."

I carefully walk, making sure that I am not stepping on anything dangerous. I slowly increased my walking pace over time, maintaining minimal noise to avoid attracting unwanted attention, we never know what could possibly lurk in such a lush forest.

I can feel my weight cave in the soft ground below, with some water being pushed out. I fear that could have dire consequences, but for now I have a bigger problem to solve.

I walked and walked, going around gargantuan trees, and slowly descending down of what seems to be a mountain. I never stopped to rest, maintaining a steady pace all the way, and keeping an eye out for my surroundings.

When finally, I found a small stream of water. This should be good enough, no large animal would normally come here to take a drink or find food, they usually do that in large rivers that can sustain moderate amounts of fish I believe.

I moved for 2 and a half hours to arrive to this place, at least that is my estimate. I am not really that good at measuring time, especially when I am too busy keeping my awareness as high as possible. Wait, I suddenly raised my head to take a look at the angle of the light coming through gaps between the leaves.

I could technically calculate the time passed through the angle of the light. I look at it for a few seconds, the sounds of critters ringing through the background. I think I get it now.

"I have no idea what I am doing" I say while at the same time smiling and giving a thumbs up to empty space. I breathe a sigh after my pathetic attempt to lighten up my mood, at the very least I found a small stream, and that a few hours definitely passed if I were to trust my estimate, and the rather broad information I got from the angle of the light.

Okay, I should go back to working now, no use in just standing here, though what should I do next? I hum as I thought about what I should do, giving it a few seconds of my time. I should probably just stick to the original plan, finding a shelter that is.

I carefully left the place where the small stream flows, looking around periphery to see if there is a rather good place to make as a shelter, or a place suitable to be fortified. I spent several minutes till I found a rather good spot.

It is a large slanted rock, that reaches about half the length of the trees that surrounds it. It has a few small flowers, and a rather small tree compared to the others in the surroundings above it. Building a shelter on the side of the rock that drops suddenly is rather promising, as the rock would be my wall on the entire of the northern side of my shelter. It is also only a few hundred meters away from the water source.

I take a seat for a bit on one of the large roots of a tree, looking up at the branches first of course, just making sure that there is no snake that could fall down. I sat there for a few minutes, giving my sore feet some time to recover.

During the small break, the severity and confusion of my situation further dawned and occupied the top of my mind. The separation from my loved ones makes me sad and worry for them, but I am also thankful for this anomaly.

It gave me another chance with life, repairing the broken path I was supposed to have, It bestowed upon me an opportunity to forge my path and meet my loved ones again. I tried to stop thinking negatively in hopes of not succumbing to despair, my mind obeyed me a little and cleared up for the entirety of the break.

After finishing my little rest, I immediately go back to work. I found some thick and thin vines latching on the large trees, and even the ground. I slowly dismantle those, keen on what possibly could be lurking beneath, and making sure that the vines are not cut short so I can use them to connect branches.

I removed the leaves that are in the small vines, at least for the ones that has them. I took some large vines too as it is possible that I might need them too. After I took a substantial amount of vines, I started looking for branches or long sticks that I can use as the main component of my shelter.

I had more trouble getting the branches, as there is not exactly a large amount of wood just lying around, unlike the vines that seems to be just everywhere. I spent nearly double the amount of time getting the wood.

I return to my shelter, the calls of my stomach and dryness of my lips is starting to introduce itself. I sat down on the grass to think of how I should build this shelter. It is already getting colder, and darker. According to the angle of the light, it seems that it is around 4-5pm, and my guess is close enough to it.

After some contemplation, I decided to get some rocks, specifically sharp ones. I look around to see if there is some rocks that would be a bit bigger than my hand. I spotted some, and I walked there hastily but to my disappointment, it is not enough.

I remember seeing some good rocks on the small stream, I quickly move since I don't have much time for what I plan to do. I jog quickly, not forgetting that I am still in a forest that might be the home of large beasts, but not being able to help increase the sounds of my movements. I arrive at the stream, immediately spotting the rocks that I need, I quickly take one hand-sized rock and a much bigger one.

I arrive back on my base, if you could call it that. I pant, but the fear of losing this chance of life motivates me, and I quickly start hitting the smaller stone with the bigger one till the small one breaks into smaller pieces. I quickly picked up a particularly sharp piece and start to sharpen one end of a small but long stick.

After doing all this, I feel that an hour has passed and the slow encroachment of darkness, and the weakening of light that comes through the leaves seems to agree with me. I quickly arrange some of the branches to lean on the rock.

I broke the smaller branches on the stick I sharpened, and quickly hide under the branches that I have arranged. This row of branches, despite some gaps here and there due to the uneven shape, will block out most of a rainfall's water, and could be used to avoid detection from the sky and in front of me.

I remain in a sitting position under the branches, ready to strike or run if I see anything that could threaten me. I plan to hide under the bushes if I cant handle it, and if it can smell me or any way that can expose my position, I will make sure an eye is at least the cost for my life.

I remain there, with my hand tightly gripping my make-shift wooden spear. Keeping all my senses perform, at the highest they could do. I remain there shivering, staying still as the light truly leaves the world, and the dark's reign begins.

I keep an eye out for a few hours, I feel my eyelids go heavy, screaming at me to close it and not open it. I remain firm for my life, but eventually, the sweet embrace of sleep makes me succumb, the darkness covering my sight and my consciousness start to rest

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The early sun's light slowly covers the wet leaves of the towering trees, piercing some of the forest's dominion that held no leaves to block it. Creatures might bear a crimson eye, a cozy fur, shiny scales, no matter the appearance, will be under the bath of light.

A few rays of light also pierces a certain spot in the forest, with an unnatural piece of wood. A brown-haired woman is sleeping inside it, her figure looking so helpless within the surroundings she dwells in. Her eyes suddenly started trembling, and movements starts to come from her body.

I slowly open my eyes, the lights quickly intruding into my eyes but only barely. I scratch my eyes for bit, and opened them fully.

What I can see in front of me is the branches I have arranged, clearly seeing the low quality of it. for a few moments I was confused, when I realized, that I am alive. My eyes slowly starts to water, causing me to ignore the coldness that hung on my skin.

"I am happy" I lightly say as the tears starts to fall, and the sniffles arrived. A happy smile present on the mouth of my face.