Chapter 18 - The Midday Awakening

Aric slowly stirred as the harsh light of the midday sun bathed him in its warmth. The familiar hum of the forest filled his ears, yet everything felt distant like a world he was only half a part of.

His body was weak, every limb heavy with exhaustion, dehydration, and hunger. He lay there for a moment, eyes half-open, taking in the hazy green of the trees above him.

Something tickled his face, and he blinked, focusing on the small bird perched delicately on his nose. It tilted its head, chirping softly as if urging him to rise.

With a weak smile, Aric shooed the bird away, watching as it fluttered into the air and settled onto his head as he sat up. The effort was tremendous, his muscles protesting every movement, but he managed it.

"Persistent little thing, aren't you?" he murmured with a hoarse chuckle, his voice rasping from dryness. The bird chirped again, this time louder, as if scolding him. It flew off his head, circling once before landing beside him, pecking at the ground.

Aric pushed himself to his feet, swaying slightly as a wave of dizziness hit him.

He glanced around, his eyes settling on the entrance to the hidden hideout just a few paces away.

The woman was inside, and though his body cried out for rest, he needed to know what she was doing.

With careful, measured steps, Aric approached the entrance and peered inside. The woman had obviously moved since he last saw her. She had eaten and drank some of the rations he had stashed away, a clear sign of her desperation.

Her form was slumped against the wall, and she was asleep again. Exhaustion was evident in her posture.

Aric quietly entered the hideout, his eyes scanning the small space. She had left some food and water untouched, but not much.

His stomach growled, the sharp pang of hunger reminding him of his own needs. He hesitated for a moment, glancing at the woman before taking what little remained.

He ate and drank slowly, savouring each bite and sip, feeling life return to his battered body.

Once he finished, Aric leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment as the food and water began to work their magic.

He felt a little stronger, a little clearer, but the exhaustion still weighed heavily on him.

He couldn't afford to rest long, though. He needed to tend to his wounds and prepare for whatever came next.

He carefully unwrapped the bandages on his arms and torso, wincing as the dried blood tugged at his skin. The major wounds were healing properly, though they still throbbed with a dull ache.

Aric reached for the herbs he had prepared earlier, grinding them into a paste just as Vire had taught him, and applied it to his wounds.

The mixture was as effective as it was uncomfortable—cooling yet burning at the same time. He gritted his teeth against the sensation, focusing on the task at hand.

Once the herbs were applied, Aric rebandaged himself, making sure everything was secure.

The process was slow, his hands trembling with fatigue, but he managed it. As he finished, he took a moment to clean up the hideout, moving quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping woman.

The small space looked a little more organized, a little less like a place of desperation.

Aric finally sat down, leaning against the wall opposite the woman. His body still ached, but he felt more in control now, more focused.

He watched the woman as she slept, wondering who she was, why she had come to his forest, and what her connection was to the men in black. 

He needed answers, and soon. But for now, he allowed himself a brief moment of calm, gathering his strength for the next move.