I've been walking through the forest for the past three days. Because of the rain, it created a thick fog making it impossible to see what was ahead. All I can do is keep walking and hope that this fog clears up. I should probably rest, I survived on smoke jerky and forest berries and very well near on passing out. I need to find some food or I'll end up starving, but I haven't seen a single animal in sight, no lizard frogs, crimson hares, or even a gamboler. Maybe it's because of the thick fog, but even if that was the case I would have at least heard the sound of animals.

I sat under a tree with its enormous tree roots. The wind was blowing against me but the coat Elder Kaya gave me was keeping me warm. I began eating the last of my smoked jerky making sure I savor every last taste because I'm not sure when will be next time I'll find food.

Being in the forest by myself made me realize how quiet and serene it is. The lush greenery of the grass and bushes, dried leaves gently scattered all across the forest, evergreen trees where their branches are strung along by the wind. It's really a breathtaking sight. It's not my first time being out here in the forest, it's just when I come here it's only to hunt and collect herbs. You don't really pay attention to what's around you.

Orions who hunted or collected herbs were given strict rules by our Elders: You are to only hunt and collect herbs, you are forbidden to stray anywhere else that is beyond the hunting grounds, once you've finished you are to immediately return to the tribe, no contact with any outsiders. Anyone who broke those rules would be severely punished, although I never heard of anyone violating these rules. I wonder why the Elders would only allow Orions to be in the forest to gather food? Were the Elders afraid of what is in the forest? Is there anything beyond the forest? What of these outsiders? More questions I began to ask the more the unanswered questions I was left with.

As I began walking up this hill the fog became less thick, maybe I can finally see what's up ahead. I get further and further up the light begins to penetrate the fog, I started running as if all the problems I've had up until now will be fixed once I get to the top. It took me several hours to get to the top of the hill but finally, I made. Before I took another step, I quickly realized where I was, I was on the edge of a mountain. I fall back before I can fall forward and fall to my death. I crawled towards the edge of the mountain to see what was below me, not surprisingly it was all just trees and fog. Is everywhere I go just going to be a forest? There has to be somewhere with no trees, although I lived in a forest for my entire life so I can't even imagine what a place looks like without trees. Wait...no...I see something else! Looking towards the right of me and I think I see a river. No, I definitely see a river. If there is a river than there should be fish and animals are often by rivers for water and food. It doesn't seem too far, it's barely noon, I should be able to be there before nightfall.

Finally making down the mountain I began heading in the direction towards the river. I still have time left, the sun is beginning to set.

Hm? What are those? I drew closer to the tree and started to inspect it. It looks like claw marks. The marks were so deep into the tree any second it could fall. It wasn't just that tree all the trees nearby were all ravaged. Each with deep claw marks, some torn down. Not only that the grass was soaked in blood it was as if the grass was swimming in it. I don't see any dead animals around that would have caused the blood. Based on the claw marks, it more likely was an animal. What animal could have caused all of this? I reached down and gently brushed my hand against the blood-soaked grass. The blood has not dried. So, whatever caused all of this must still be nearby, I should be very careful.

The bushes behind me began rustling. Shit! It must be the animal.

I readied my arrow at the bushes. My heart pounding, feeling each and every beat, my palms sweating, and the unstoppable shaking slowly moved down to my legs. I wanted to step back to make sure it didn't lunge on me, but the shaking in my legs prevented me from doing so.

The bushes still rustling, each passing second made the situation more intense. I really want the animal to come out of the bushes already, although it would be better if it scurried away. Either way, I need to keep my guard up.

The rustling in the bushes stopped, then suddenly a small creature leaped out of the bushes and began to circle around me. Its swift movement made it hard to tell what it was since it came up as a blur.

I shot an arrow towards it, but I missed it because of its swift movement. I kept shooting more arrows at it but it dodges each one. The small creature lunged towards me, it's jaws wide open showing it's sharp teeth. I fastened my arm near my face. It bit down on my arm, it's teeth sinking into my skin as blood began to pour out. I stumbled backward and fell on my back. Despite it biting down on my skin it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. I gave the creature a closer look and the color-matched with my coat, a blue-gray. It was a pulan fox! It was a small one, I'd guess it was around the length of my arm, it was probably still a kit. Pulan foxes are rare creatures that hard to come by. They're moonlight fur enthralled Orions.

I stared deeply into its eyes, such intensity, it possessed no fear of me. The fur crossed its body stood up making the small fox look fiercer but for some reason, I felt anguish from it.

Thankfully his teeth were not big enough for it to go deep into my flesh. I yanked the fox off my arm, holding it by its neck.

The inside of my stomach is yearning for food. Maybe I should eat the fox? It looks tasty enough to eat. It has good meat on it.

The fox continued to leer at me, it was on high alert, as if it was ready to attack at any slight of movement. Maybe I shouldn't eat it. The way the fox is looking at me is giving me second thoughts. Well, I know it doesn't like me, but what can I do to make myself seem less threatening? I'm not too familiar with animals besides hunting and eating them. Amongst the talk in our tribe, I often heard how hundreds of years ago, Orions would train these types of animals to form some sort of spiritual connection.

I can't keep dwelling on this. I need water, I hear a faint sound of the river up ahead. It shouldn't be too far, I need to keep moving. I released the fox from my grasp.

I begin walking, leaving the fox behind, it was none of my concern anymore. I do have a little guilt, leaving a small and cute fox in this bloodbath. I know its cute and defenseless, no. I need to focus on the task at paw. I mean at hand! Err! The thoughts of it's cute little paws constantly flood my mind. I'll just take a quick peek behind me. What the?! I would not have been surprised if the fox hadn't move or even left. It's following me, standing a few feet and staring right at me.

"No, don't follow me. Stay put."

I began walking but that all came to an abrupt end as I heard the sound of leaves crunching.

I let out an exasperated sigh. I'm talking to myself at this point. It's going to keep following me, there's no way out of this.

We exit the dense forest and before us is a riverbank. Water flowing downstream with fish jumping in and out of the water. Well, I don't have to worry about food now. I placed both of my hands in the water and drank as if I was some sort of savage.

I think the fox might be thirsty too. I have my hand out gesturing towards it "Are you thirsty? You can come to drink some if you want."

The fox drinks the water like me, in an erratic and disarray manner. Seeing his tongue flail around like that was cute. It probably went without water and food just like me. I reach my hand in an attempt to pet it, but it jumped back, staying in this cautious stance.

"Ah! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

Despite the fox's defensive position, it wasn't bearing its teeth towards me. Well, in any case, that's a sign that it won't bite me anymore. I look up noticing the sun radiant light coming to a halt as the color of the sky changed. Its almost nightfall, I'll catch me some fish and sleep here for tonight.

During the night, the forest gives off a different aura, best to describe it is dreary. I'm completely surrounded by darkness, if not for the small fire I setup we would not be able to see. A small light that is cornered from all sides by darkness. There's something else that keeps bothering me and I can't shake the feeling of death in the air, it was suffocating me. I know I shouldn't be afraid of the dark, but I think its best I keep the fire going all night.

The fish should be almost done. I haven't eaten in a couple of days now. I toss the two fish near the fox to eat. It was just us two sitting here and eating on hour fish. If it's going to keep following, shouldn't I give it a name? I can't think of names that come to mind. The fox laid near fired, going sleep. It is hard to tell if the fox likes me or not. It follows me around but still acts cautiously towards me. It's still better than it attacking me I suppose. I'll worry about the name in the morning. I closed my eyes and drifted away in slumber, sounds begin going faint.