4 Days Later...
It has officially been a week since I arrived here, I think, stacking the dry plates after finishing my chores.
I stand up to stretch. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the bald man leaving, heading into the forest.
Seeing that, I quickly make my way to the edge of the woods. To them, it looks like I'm just playing with sticks.
In reality, I have made a small sundial. After days of trial and error, I finally understand the time.
Since I don't know the exact time—or if this world even uses hours—I used a fixed event as my anchor: The bald man leaving. I named that time "One." When he returns, I name it "Two."
Based on the shadow of the stick and my memory of clocks from Earth, he leaves between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. He returns around 4:00 PM.
It's finally time to escape.
I walk back to the campsite and find the lean man.
I point at him, then at my stomach, and then toward the woods. I explain through gestures that I need to relieve myself.
The old man has a strict rule: go far away to keep the camp clean. Luckily, "far away" is just far enough that they have to escort me.
I have been fake-going to the bathroom once or twice a day for the whole week.
I conditioned him. It's just a routine now.
He agrees easily. He picks up his spear and walks in front of me, leading the way to the cliff edge.
After ten minutes of walking, we reach the spot.
He stands a few steps in front of me, looking out at the view. His guard is completely down.
I begin.
I kick the back of his knees hard.
SFX - THUD
His legs buckle. As he falls backward, I whip the chain connecting my wrists over his head and wrap it around his throat.
SFX - CLINK... GHHKK!
I pull back with everything I have.
He struggles violently. He jams his hands under the chain, trying to pry it off. I choke him harder, cutting off his air.
He uses his core strength to lurch backward, ramming me into a tree trunk.
SFX - BAM!
The impact knocks the wind out of me. The chain loosens for a split second. Taking advantage of the oxygen rushing to his brain, he drives his elbow back into my ribs.
I grunt in pain, but I don't let go. I plant my left leg against the tree trunk and push off with all my strength.
We tumble to the ground, rolling in the dirt.
Luckily, we land with me on top. I cinch the chain tight again.
He flails, his hand grasping for his spear which lies only a few inches away.
No, you don't.
I slam my foot onto the back of his neck and pull the chain upward, creating a lever. Pressure builds on his spine.
He panics. Seeing no other option, he grabs a handful of dirt and tries to throw it in my eyes.
He fails.
SFX - CRACK
A sickening pop echoes through the woods. His body goes limp.
I gradually release the hold, gasping for air. My body is weak; I don't have much stamina.
I look at my hands. They are pale—because of the intense tugging, the circulation was cut off.
I sit down next to him.
He is crying. His eyes are moving darting frantically.
Is he alive?
My stomach turns. The adrenaline begins to crash.
I tried to prepare for the moment I would have to kill a human. I practiced on animals. But the difference is immense.
Though he can't move or speak, his eyes are screaming. Begging.
My legs shake. My chest tightens.
I slowly pick up the spear lying nearby.
I have to put him out of his misery.
I drive the spear into his neck.
SFX - SPLORTCH
Blood flows out, warm and thick, engulfing my bare feet.
SFX - BLEUGH
I vomit.
Nothing comes out but saliva and bile. My stomach is empty, but my body heaves anyway.
I look back at the body. I gag again.
I crawl to a nearby tree, clutching my stomach. I close my eyes, trying to calm down, but the image of his crying eyes burns behind my eyelids.
It feels like an eternity passes. In reality, it is maybe a few minutes.
I force myself to calm down.
Next step.
I crawl back to the body. I strip him of everything.
The shirt is covered in blood. The pants are dirty, stained with a mix of soil and death. I take off his leather strap and put it on. I put on the pants. They are too big, so I use the small rope from my ankle to tie the fabric, folding it inwards.
Most importantly, I take the keys.
SFX - CLICK
The cuffs fall from my wrists and ankles.
I would have liked to keep the cuffs for arm protection, but they restrict my movement too much.
I find a small but sharp knife strapped near his ankle.
I take it. I use it to shave his face and head completely. Just in case his hair style or color identifies him to a specific clan or family.
I pick up the heavy iron boulder I was chained to. I stand over him.
I drop it on his face.
SFX - CRUNCH
I need to disfigure him. If someone finds the body, I can't let them recognize him
immediately.
I roll the body to the edge of the cliff, leaving a trail of blood. I push him off.
I cover the blood trail with fresh dirt and leaves.
I make a new sundial to check the time.
Hmm. It's almost 3:00 PM.
Seems like if I time it right, I can reach the bald man before he gets back to camp.
I pick up the spear in one hand. With the other, I pull out my salt rock. I lick it.
I need the boost.
I step out of the shadows, gripping the weapon tight.
"Let's start the hunt..."