---
Chapter 7: Which Way
The fire didn't last long.
I knew it wouldn't.
Still… watching it fade felt worse than I expected.
"…Great. My only achievement disappears in five minutes."
I nudged the ashes lightly with a stick.
Nothing.
No spark.
Just cold.
I stared at it for a second longer, then looked up.
The forest was the same as always.
Endless.
Quiet.
Waiting.
"…Yeah. Of course."
No path.
No signs.
No "this way to safety" sign hanging from a tree.
I let out a small breath and stood up, brushing dirt off my hands.
"Alright… think."
My voice sounded steadier now.
Still tired.
But clearer.
I had food.
A little strength back.
And—
I lifted my hand slightly.
A faint flicker appeared.
Gone in a second.
"…Ignition."
Still weak.
Still unreliable.
But it was something.
Better than nothing.
Way better than smashing things with rocks like a caveman.
"…Actually, that's exactly what I was doing."
I paused.
"…Wow."
A small, dry laugh escaped me.
"Great. Evolution in reverse."
The sound faded quickly.
Silence returned.
I looked ahead again.
"…Focus."
Joking wasn't going to help.
Not for long.
I needed direction.
Somewhere to go.
Because staying here—
Wasn't an option.
I looked around slowly.
Trees.
More trees.
Then—
I turned back slightly.
The way I came from.
The river.
"…Water means something."
I frowned.
If there was water…
There could be more.
Animals.
Movement.
Maybe—
People?
"…Or more things like that."
My shoulders tensed slightly.
Yeah.
That too.
Still—
It was better than walking randomly.
At least it was something.
"…Alright. River direction."
I nodded to myself.
Decision made.
It didn't feel right.
Didn't feel safe.
But neither did anything else here.
So I started walking.
---
I didn't get far.
A sound stopped me.
Low.
Close.
"…Seriously?"
I sighed under my breath.
"Can I walk for five minutes without something trying to kill me?"
Apparently not.
I lowered myself slightly, focusing.
There—
Movement between the trees.
Another creature.
Similar to the ones before.
But not alone.
"…Two."
I stayed still, watching.
They moved slowly, circling an area like they were searching for something.
Or waiting.
"…Can I avoid them?"
I shifted slightly, testing my position.
If I moved wide—
Maybe.
But—
My stomach tightened again.
Not as bad as before.
But still there.
"…I could take them."
The thought came quickly.
Too quickly.
I frowned.
"That's how people die."
I exhaled slowly.
Think.
Fight or avoid.
If I fight—
Risk.
If I avoid—
Time lost.
Energy lost.
Still hungry later.
"…Great options."
I glanced between them again.
They weren't as fast as the River Stalker.
Not as strong.
Manageable.
Maybe.
"…Maybe."
I rubbed the back of my neck slightly.
"…Okay. Plan."
I focused.
Perception.
Watch them.
Wait.
Find an opening.
Don't rush.
Don't be stupid.
"…Try not to die."
I added quietly.
Then moved.
---
The first one noticed me.
Of course it did.
"Yeah, yeah, come here."
I stepped back slightly, controlling the distance.
One at a time.
That was the goal.
It lunged.
I dodged.
Cleaner this time.
Not perfect.
But better.
The second one followed.
"…Of course."
I clicked my tongue lightly.
"Why would anything go smoothly?"
I shifted again, forcing them to line up instead of surrounding me.
Perception kicked in.
Movements clearer.
Patterns forming.
The first attacked again.
I stepped in—
Struck.
It staggered.
Not down.
But slower.
The second came from the side—
I reacted late.
Too late.
Its hit clipped my arm.
Pain shot through it instantly.
"—!"
I stumbled back, biting down hard to stop the reaction.
"…Focus."
Pain later.
Survive now.
I adjusted my stance again, breathing uneven.
Two was harder.
Way harder.
"…Okay. New plan."
I lifted my hand slightly.
Focused.
That warmth—
Came slowly.
Then—
A small spark.
"…Don't fail now."
The flame flickered weakly in my palm.
The creatures hesitated.
Just for a second.
That was enough.
I moved forward.
Pressed the flame toward dry leaves nearby—
It caught.
Small.
But distracting.
The creatures shifted, reacting to it.
Confused.
Not understanding.
"…Good."
I stepped in again.
Used that moment.
Struck one down.
Harder this time.
It fell.
Didn't get back up.
The second lunged—
I turned—
Barely avoided it—
Then struck again.
Not clean.
Not perfect.
But enough.
It staggered.
Then dropped.
Silence.
I stood there, breathing hard.
"…Yeah."
I let out a slow breath.
"That went… terribly."
But I was still standing.
So—
Good enough.
I glanced at my arm.
Still hurting.
"…I should really stop getting hit."
I muttered.
Then paused.
"…That would require not being bad at this."
A small, tired smile appeared.
Gone just as fast.
---
I didn't stay long.
I took what I needed.
Didn't think too much.
Didn't stop.
Because now—
I had direction.
River.
Maybe something more.
Maybe nothing.
But it was better than nothing.
As I walked again, slower this time—
A thought came quietly.
"…What if there are people?"
The idea felt distant.
Unreal.
But not impossible.
If this was a "selection"—
Then others were here too.
Somewhere.
"…Or they're already dead."
I shook my head slightly.
"…Yeah. That too."
Not helpful.
But realistic.
Still—
If there were people—
That meant something.
Answers.
Maybe safety.
Maybe not.
But something different from this.
I tightened my grip slightly.
"…Then I'll find out."
The forest stretched ahead.
Unchanged.
Unwelcoming.
But this time—
I wasn't just wandering.
I had a direction.
A goal.
Even if it was small.
Even if it led nowhere.
It was enough to keep moving.
"…Let's see where this goes."
And for the first time in a while—
That thought didn't feel completely empty.