Chapter 5.

Survival.

Alain floated in the river, dragged by the currents, feeling the cold water and the weakness of his body. His wounds and exhaustion kept him on the verge of unconsciousness, but his survival instinct pushed him to keep fighting. The current, although not as strong as expected, carried him to the shore, gently depositing him on a sandbank.

He woke up with the first ray of sunlight, feeling the cold of dawn on his skin. Pained and confused, Alain crawled out of the water and lay down on the sand, trying to catch his breath. His mind was clouded, but he had in mind the face of a blonde woman with honey-colored eyes and red lips.

He clearly remembered the face of the woman who had subjected him to such cruel punishment. Despite the pain and humiliation, his determination grew. He would not forget what she had done to him, and one day he would make her pay for it.

With effort, Alain stood up and began to walk. His body trembled from the pain and the cold, but he had no choice but to keep going. He needed to find help and recover, and then, he would seek revenge.

As he walked forward, the nature around him seemed to come alive. The sounds of the river and the birdsong filled the air, contrasting with Alain's suffering. He found a dirt road that led him to a small cabin in the middle of the forest. With the last of his remaining strength, he knocked on the door.

An older woman opened the door and seeing the state Alain was in, helped him in without asking questions. My God, what's happened to you? she asked, concerned in her voice.

Alain, exhausted and weak, could barely answer. I've been attacked... I need help, he said, before fainting.

The woman carried him to a bed and began to treat his wounds carefully. She knew the young man needed rest and care, and decided not to ask any more questions until he was better. For the next few days, Alain remained in the cabin, recovering under the woman's care.

As he healed, his hatred for this young lady grew. He knew that he could not return to his former life until he had avenged the dishonor she had inflicted on him. But he also knew that he had to be patient and wait for the right moment.

One afternoon, as Alain rested in the cabin, the woman sat beside him and asked softly,  ¿What are you going to do now, boy? ¿Will you go home?

Alain shook his head. I can't go back yet. I have business to take care of first, he said, determination in his voice. There is someone who must pay for what they did to me.

The woman looked at him with concern, but did not insist. She knew that the young man was determined and that nothing would change his mind.

Over time, Alain regained his strength and began to plan his revenge. But then that revenge had to be abandoned when he found out that the lifeless bodies of his friends had been sold anonymously to feed fattening pigs, so now he did not know what he would say to their families…

 ¿How could he look them in the eyes and tell them that because of flashes of fun they had ended up in an unprecedented tragedy?