Alec felt cold. His body shivered, and the pain in his side made it impossible to sit up. He tried to push himself upright, but the pain in his burned hand sent him crashing back down onto the hard stone.
He lifted his hand and stared at it. The skin was blistered and split, blood seeping through the raw patches.
Rolling onto his back, Alec used his feet and one good hand to shove himself toward the rock wall behind him. He wanted to be out of sight if the wolves came back. Once there, he reached for one of the few remaining strips of dried meat and began chewing slowly, forcing himself to swallow.
He counted his food.
Eight potatoes.
Five carrots.
Three onions.
One rotten tomato.
He pushed the tomato away from the rest.
After stacking the remaining food against the stone wall, a heavy drowsiness crept over him. He fought it as long as he could, clenching his teeth and staring at the rock in front of him, but eventually his head slumped back and he collapsed against the stone.
Alec woke again burning with thirst.
His throat felt like it was on fire. Sweat soaked his clothes, clinging to his skin, and he couldn't stop shivering despite the heat trapped beneath the rock. His head pounded, each pulse of pain making him want to scream.
It was night.
He could tell by the darkness beyond the shelter, though the sound of the river was still there, steady, close, and taunting him.
The thirst kept growing, slowly Alec dragged himself toward the shelter's opening. He grabbed the sword with his good hand and used his legs to push his body across the stone. Every movement sent pain ripping through his side.
When he reached the edge, he gripped the sword tightly and pushed himself off the rock.
He hit the ground hard as pain exploded through his leg. He looked down and saw blood running along his calf, the sword had sliced him when he landed.
Alec let out a muffled scream.
Using his elbows, he pushed himself onto his knees and began crawling toward the river. Each movement made his vision blur. Leaves and branches scraped against his skin as he dragged himself forward through the brush.
Then his burned hand plunged into cold water.
The shock was so strong he felt like he couldn't breathe, but the coolness calmed his racing thoughts. Alec leaned down and gulped water desperately, swallowing mouthful after mouthful until the burning in his throat finally began to fade.
Moonlight reflected off the river's surface, giving him just enough light to see the tree line on either side.
He looked left near where the goblin had been days earlier, something faint glowed blue. Alec crawled toward it.
Between two rocks at the river's edge sat a small object, glowing softly beneath the water. Reaching in with his burned hand, Alec lifted it out.
It was a cracked crystal, no larger than his thumb, with a faint swirling blue light trapped inside.
As soon as it touched his skin, a cool sensation rushed through his body. It spread outward from his hand, sinking deep into his chest and stomach. The pain dulled. His thoughts slowed.
After a few seconds, the glow faded.
The crystal cracked again, then crumbled apart in his hand, breaking into tiny pieces that fell into the water.
Alec stared at the fragments, unsure of what had just happened. The cooling sensation lessened the pain in his hand and calf. His mind felt a little clearer than before. He looked around in the darkness trying to spot anymore glowing crystals, but only the pale reflection of dim moonlight moved along the surface of the current.
Then he turned back toward the rocks.
He tried to follow the faint smell of smoke to find his shelter, but the darkness swallowed everything. The pain in his side tugged sharply with every movement. Leaning against a tree, he felt along the trunk until he found his balance.
With shaking fingers, he tried to lift his blood-soaked shirt.
It was stuck.
When he pulled, pain shot through his chest and he screamed despite himself. Gritting his teeth, Alec yanked harder. The fabric tore free, peeling away from raw skin.
He cried out again.
Blood seeped from the wound, burning and slick. He dropped the shirt and leaned back against the tree, chest heaving. Drowsiness washed over him once more, heavier than before.
Panic clawed at his thoughts.
Don't sleep. Not out here.
He tried to stand, but his legs buckled and he fell sideways into the bushes. Leaves and branches tangled around him as he struggled weakly, but his strength was gone. His eyes felt heavy as he lost consciousness.
When Alec opened his eyes again, sunlight filtered through thick leaves overhead. The daylight startled him as he looked around in a slight panic.
When he looked down at his side. The burned wound had scabbed over, dark and tight. His hand was the same, stiff and sore, but no longer bleeding. His leg had scabbed as well.
Everything still hurt, but the chills were gone. The sweating had stopped.
Slowly, Alec pushed himself upright. Sharp pains flared, and his head still ached, but he could move. He retrieved the sword from the bushes and followed the rock wall carefully until he found the familiar protruding stone.
Climbing back into the shelter took effort. He clenched his teeth against the pain and hauled himself over the edge.
Alec lay on his back, staring at the stone ceiling.
He thought about Hillburn.
About the glow of fire he'd seen days ago. About whether the men were gone or if anyone was still alive. Hillburn had been small, just a village surrounded by Ironwood forest. He didn't know where any other towns were.
He didn't know where to go.
After a long while, Alec made a decision.
He would go near the village and see if anyone was still alive. He didn't want any of those men who burned down the town to still be nearby.
If it wasn't safe, he would return to the forest and stay hidden until he was strong enough to leave the woods, wherever that might be.
Alec closed his eyes, one hand resting on the sword beside him.
Tomorrow, he would move.