It has been a few weeks or so. I've managed to tighten my muscles more with the frequent amount of times I've gone out of the comfort of my house to hunt for more food and search for any more bags similar to mine.

The game is unexpectedly more peaceful than I thought. I've come to realise that- unlike real-life, the days and nights in this world are hours shorter. The nights more so than the day. Despite the passing of days, the moon remains at its full potential and shines like the full moon every night. Had I not kept a tally of the days I spent in this world, I would've lost count.

I made sure to remember to mark my days the moment I wake and decide to do my routinised venture into the forest by placing a torn paper from my personal notebook at my door. That way, it would greet me just before I leave. I've spent 2 weeks and 4 days now, to be specific. I plan to use the other notebook solely to note down things about this world.

On the other hand, I stand corrected about my assumption for strange creatures as well. They don't only appear during the night. My very first encounter was during the day, after all.

- 1 week ago -

I decided to venture away from the river and into the thicker vegetation of the forest. Since I've been coming in and out of this forest every single day, some aspects within it has become familiar to me and hence, the forest itself. I've still only covered a small portion of the forest - courtesy of the leverage I had by standing at the tree house, I managed to estimate that the area stretched from my starting point till the tree house I stayed in, was pretty much a tiny crumb beside an entire loaf of bread.

This forest was incredibly huge. Nonetheless, mountains and high hills border around it.

I made sure to mark the trees in areas I've come across to keep track of how much I've searched through.

Back to the new path I strolled into, at the sudden rustling within the depths of overgrown grass and bushes, I had immediately shot my hands into one of my pant pockets and pulled out my pocket knife.

I'm sure there were plenty of animals in this forest. But despite that, I hardly came across any. I hoped that it would be a pig or even a sheep. They seem to pop up more often than any other. Specifically speaking of that one deer I came across. I've managed to bribe some sheep and pigs back to my house and held them inside a self-made fence to make sure they don't vanish. I used my sword as a substitute for sheers to collect some of its fleece (wool) and helped myself with fluffing up my bedding. It was stupidly stiff for a bed, so I let myself obtain that comfort of fluffiness while I slept. You could say that I was rewarding myself with these tiny things. Just to make my life here a bit more bearable whilst I stayed here.

While I waited in anticipation for the animal to reveal itself, I was put into shock when nothing like the animals I knew, jumped out from its hiding spot.

It was thrice the size a fully grown bear. It was mostly defined with wolf-like features but instead of a furry tail, it was the pointy needle similar to a scorpion's. It's teeth were- oh god, they were singularly aligned set of sharp needles. Many thin fangs in other words, or needles everyone normally knows, but they're thicker on one end - that part stuck glued to its gums while the pointy side hung below, and they were dumb long. Then since they were so similarly thin as that of a needle, it had so many teeth to make do for all the space the gums had.

So, so, so many teeth. Bright yellow eyes in place for its snake-like pupils and its neck?

Holy mother of god.

The neck was surrounded by scales. It's neck could stretch and contract back in place, just like curly cords. It was a nameless creature that I called 'Olfstin' - I know; super creative. Leave the creativity to me at all times. A mixture of Wolf and sting. Sting because scorpions— you know what, I'm not gonna explain it.

I should quit boasting at this moment for my quick name-thinking for this creature because it does not look happy.

Didn't like that name? Welp.

It was growling like a wolf and held a stance that looked ready to strike and so, out of a purely fear driven mind...

I ran.

It was my lack of thinking that made me make a sudden move. I moved away from the giant, but I triggered it nonetheless as it chased after me and dodged the trees to get to me. The snapping of multiple teeth bringing an involuntary shiver up my spine as I realised it was trying to bite. Most definitely a second choice to take when it can't swipe its sharp claws at me mid-chase.

I was running for my life but despite my fear driven action's and lack of thinking, I still managed to remind myself to keep it away from my resting place. The last thing I need with this beast is a surprise visit holding my death as a gift.

While I'm sleeping.

I panicked as I realised I was nearing the river and made a sharp, but sloppy turn to my left, diving deeper into the dense forest with the Olfstin right by tail, but away from the tree houses I knew were towards the right from the river.

I repeat, the move was sloppy. So I had slowed for a second too long at the change of direction I drew myself towards and the creature managed to give my left arm a good scratch, making me wince and drive my legs to run faster. Away from more possible wounds and the pain it brings.

"For the love of god, are you just a killing machine?!" I cried, clutching onto my pocket knife with a death grip as I carelessly swung it back and forth in front of me to help me pass by tiny obstacles like thin branches and slim bushes blocking my path. The thicker shrubs were a menace.

My mind flashed to a memory I stored about a little cave hidden well behind one giant rock and I immediately began running with more purpose. Thank god for the size of that creature. Otherwise it wouldn't be gradually trialing further away from behind me because of all the trees limiting its space.

I ran like I never did before and once again - bOY am I glad that it's a big creature in this very moment. I can't keep a steady pace while trying to reach the spot that I have in mind because it is far. I had to hide couple of times behind thick tree branches just to catch my breath before resuming.

Then finally, as I neared, I dived over a bunch of plants and crawled towards a rock, shifting it just slightly to the left before I proceeded to crawl past it and stopped inside the small cave, making sure I pushed the rock back in its place.

I panted like a dog to catch my breath before forcing myself to quiet down when thundering steps halted somewhere near from where I hid. I can't believe this furry flipper went as far as to chase me down for so long.

I could hear the aggressive sniffing it did, a constant rumble of growls leaving its throat. I let out a sigh soon after I heard the steps retreat into the distance and to who knows where. I winced as my left arm held a long slash from my knuckles to the midpoint from my elbow and wrist.

It burnt and throbbed with pain. My blood had stopped dripping off slowly, instead turning dry fairly fast since the brush of air from my run played a part in drying it against my skin. I gritted my teeth as I used my right arm to off-load my shoulder from my backpack and I roughly searched for my first-aid kit. I mentally groaned at the sight of my poor bag. Torn and scraped with the Olfstin's sharp nails. Thank goodness nothing fell out of my bag since the fabric was mostly grazed rather than slashed.

Once I pulled out my first-aid kit, I immediately got to aiding my wound, thankful that it wasn't a cut too deep into my skin. That would've been so much worse.

I was not about to stitch up my own skin.

After I wrapped up my cut, I let my back hit the wall of the cave, letting my breath calm.

I glared at the closed exit of the cave. "Motherf—"

- Present Time -

Aside from the near-death experience I had exactly a week ago, that creature hadn't made another appearance since and I hoped it would stay that way for a while much longer.

Forever was fine, too, but let's be realistic. It clearly wanted me dead, so it'll probably return to put attempt number 2 into action. Why it wants me dead is beyond me.

Despite it being my own idea to keep track of my days everyday, it's not only a reminder of how many days I've spent in this world, but also for how long I've spent alone.

I'll have to admit, I shed a few more tears at the loneliness accompanying me every second of the day. Not even the constant buzzing of crickets and the likes annoyed me anymore. It just reminds me of the silence I live through without my constant and useless talking to the air.

At times I just want to shut my mouth for good because of the lack of response I get to some of the things I ask out loud, but there's no way I'm gonna go mute like that one kid in the documentary I watched. Nope. No thank youuuuu

I stared down at my left arm, tracing at the area the slash I once had. So red and angry. Now it's slowly fading away as if it never happened. Though, I think some parts of the scratch might scar instead, making sure it reminded me that the encounter I had was real indeed, and this was proof of it.

I glanced over at the two pigs I caught just snorting at each other. They're probably talking to each other. Or fighting. Beats me to know exactly.

"Yo," I called for them, just one of the pigs turned to me while the other continued to snort at the pig looking at me, "What're you and Dos talking about? Tell me, too." I pouted. The pig stared at me some more before snorting at pig Dos. Tres is a jerk.

Don't ask me where Pig Uno is.

"Fine, don't talk to me. I'm not interested anyway." I scowled at the clear sign of ignorance it directed towards me. "Dumb pigs." I grumbled as I watched them snort at each other.

I can't believe I'm feeling jealousy over some pigs.

I looked over at the sheep nibbling on grass. "Nice haircut, Emo." I called out for the sheep who just 'bahhhh'ed at me. I winced, feeling slightly sheepish - "Right, I gave you that haircut." I nodded. Emo looked away and continued to munch on grass.

(A/N: I liKe uR cUt, G 😩☝️)

"Don't worry Emo, on the bright side, you're still alive so you get to eat more...um, tasty grass." I assured. Emo didn't spare me a glance this time.

God, I'm talking to a rude bunch. Dos pretends as if I don't exist, Tres blatantly told me that it's ignoring me and Emo is acting all petty. Well, guess what?! I'll eat you soon enough!

I stood up from my spot beside the fire pit and made my way over towards the ladder, opting to spend the remainder of today inside.

"Tomorrow is another step closer towards the exit." I remind myself as I plopped myself onto my bed.

I dejectedly gazed out of the window, watching as the moon made its appearance over the thousands of trees. I let my mind drift to all the resources I have.

I'll have to refill the pot with more water - it's almost run out. I have enough fishes to last me another week. Then I'll have to find a way to fill up my first-aid kit with more wraps. I'm running low on those and the disinfectant is halfway gone from its bottle.

I sighed. At least I have some things to keep me busy.

Keep looking, Diana. You'll be out of here soon enough.

Just a matter of time before I come across something that'll lead me back home and out of this place.

_______________________________

Man, it must be so lonely for Diana. :(((

Maybe the next chapter would bring her some company? 👀

~ Ada