The sound of the wind blowing through trees stirs me from my slumber. I sling my arm over my eyes and groan. I do not want to wake up and face my life. Yesterday was the worst day ever and I do not know how to salvage any of it. Sighing, I sit up and rub my eyes; I need to update my resume and start applying for jobs because once the library closes next month I am truly out of a job. Opening my eyes, I am stunned at what I see.

I guess I’m in a forest? The light is low but I can still make out… Redwoods? Am I dreaming? I flop back down flat content to procrastinate dealing with the reality I wish I never need to. I look at the rays of light barely breaking through the treetops. I hear a bit of buzzing and birds chirping as I lay there. The warm air acts like a comforter enwrapping me on the soft moss begging me to go back to sleep. The light breeze is enough to keep me awake without chilling me to the bone.

Huge trees covered in moss, and small vines surround me as I breathe in crisp clean air. This place is extremely different from the urban California that I have always called home. I feel like I can breathe for the first time and does not smell like what I have experienced before. It smells a bit like the garden centers but not that intense. 

I sit back up and my body feels lighter. I look down and I am shocked to see a defined little body. I have been a little pudgy but nowhere near big. I smile as I see small breasts maybe now going without a bra will not be so bad which is good as I am in a little hide dress with no undergarments to speak of. I see arms and legs of well-defined muscles of a healthy, fit woman not those under-feed ‘beauties’ in magazines. As I tilt my head to get a better look at the leather moccasins on my feet, I can not but let out a small gasp. Beautiful deep black hair flutters into my view. 

I wonder did I transmigrated or if is this a dream where I transmigrated. A new body, new surroundings, and the few stories about this situation make me think I transmigrated. I sit there for a long time cataloging the pros and cons of my situation. First off, if this is a dream I face no real consequence if I just go with it. If this isn’t a dream… am I really going to miss anything? I look at the surrounding trees; I will miss indoor plumbing. Other than that my life was a mess I was probably going to start over somewhere new anyway so why not here.

I nod as I decide to just go with the flow as see what happens but then again do I have a choice? Now I need to figure out what I am going to do as I am not a fan of being passive in life. I look up and glance about and sigh. Alright, treating this as the real deal is going to be best. Now what do I have? I do not know where I am, no food, no water, no help, and as comfortable as this moss bed is I am sure it does not count as shelter. 

How am I supposed to handle this? I have done nothing like this before. My breath quickens as anxiety floods in as I realize how dire my situation is. I drop the book and hide my head in my hands as thoughts of all my shortcomings fly in and‌ around my head. Tears start flowing through my fingers am I going to die? “Why am I here?” I bite my lip to hold back my cries. Before too long I can not hold back the floodgates. 

I cry loudly now, and snot joins my tears. I scream at the terror in my heart and the injustice of it all. Time passes by I cry all my fear, frustrations, and anger out till I am nothing but numb inside. 

Sometime later I lay on my back looking up at the canopy feeling empty and rung out. My stomach growls reminding me to focus on the task at hand. Inactivity will definitely equal death while trying to live may not work but might work at the same time. How should I go about this? I need to find some water too and I do not know if I can find some plants to eat as hunting will most likely end in disaster. No matter what I guess I’m walking till I find something to eat and drink. 

I slowly get up and I walk in a random direction. I look around and figured berries and fruits would be my first aim. Checking the bushes I pass for any berries and checking the ground for fallen fruit. My best chance of survival would be to find other people but I am not sure if I really want that as I know people can be truly evil. Wait what is that? My eyes hone in on a shrub that is full of clusters of bright red berries. Hope floods me as I beg internally for it not to be poison. 

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I pull a small bunch and a leaf and bring them up to my nose. Not really sure what I expected I get no clues from smell or feel. All I can do is shrug and hope for the best. I pop in the few that I’m holding and reach for more and I pause. The berries burst in my mouth and a tart flavor coats my tongue. I swallow but disgust rolls in my stomach. I think that these are not poisonous as I remember hearing about how the bitter taste not tartness is a sign of poison. I can only really hope that is true because I never fact-checked it probably thinking I never would need it but now I wish I did.

Even though it tastes nasty I still need food, and it does also wet my mouth. I let out a heavy sigh as I break off a huge cluster to take with me as I try to find something else to eat. I continue walking slowly.

Time passes by as I walk and every so often pop a few more berries in my mouth. No matter how bad they taste I do not have an upset stomach so the berries are probably not too bad just now hope they do not have any hidden effects on my organs. As I put the last bit in my mouth glad to finish the nasty thing but sad to be out of food I hear running water. I make sure I’m not hearing things then run as fast as I can to the sound. 

After running for a bit I come to an edge of a small river I think. I quickly bend down to drink the water and it washes all the tartness away. Feeling refreshed, I take some time to look at the river and the surroundings. At the deepest point maybe it would reach four feet about my chin height. I might say it is about 20 feet to the other side and the water is not overly fast-moving. If needed I am sure I can reach the other side. 

The river cutting through the trees lets the fading sunlight flood this area. Different shrubs and smaller plants line along the sides of the river. My stomach growls as I spot fish in the water. Since there is no pollution here raw fish is less likely to make me sick right? That must be the problem with sushi. But I should not try my luck it should not be too hard to start a fire, right?

I take a moment to look down and gasp at my new reflection. I see such a cute heart shape face with a small nose. Even with the discoloration of the water I see a bright pink full lips and large light blue eyes. Much different from the mousey brown hair and eyes I used to have. I think I also must be younger than the 36 I was before. Maybe early 20s or late teens?

I take a moment to splash a bit of cool water on my face and sit down. I do not know how long I have been walking but my body definitely feels it. Getting some food and water in me feels fantastic so I do not think it will kill me to lie down and close my eye for a minute. I let out a big yawn as I curl up on the grassy riverbank.

As I lay there, my mind drifts back to my previous life. I had always been a city girl, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of modern life. But now, in this new world, I was alone, with nothing but my wits to survive. It was a daunting prospect, but I was determined to make the best of it. Next, I need to figure out a shelter and some fire as I drift off to a dreamless sleep in the fading light. 

I wake up to the sound of rustling leaves and twigs snapping. I immediately sit up, alarmed by the sudden noise. At first I am confused at where I am but it comes rushing back. Slowly, I peer through the trees in the low dawn light, trying to glimpse the source of the disturbance.

My heart races as I see movement in the bushes. Preparing to run but, to my relief only a rabbit hops out of the foliage. I let out a sigh of relief, feeling a little silly for being so scared.

The rabbit is large and fluffy with beady eyes, prominent whiskers, and long ears. Its fur is a soft gray and well groomed, giving off a gentle shine in the low morning light. They perked its long ears as it hops towards me. Its beady black eyes are wide as it seems to look at me. It's long twitching whiskers making it look almost comical.

I can't help but smile as I watch the rabbit approach me. It hops up to me fearlessly, as if it knows I'm not a threat. I reach out to pet it and it nuzzles against my hand. It's a strange feeling, to feel so connected to a wild animal. But in this new world, I guess anything is possible.

As I pet the rabbit, I realize it could be a potential source of food. I feel a pang of guilt at the thought, but I know that if I'm going to survive out here, I need to be practical. Pulling my hand away I sigh as I know now I may not eat it but I can not get attached either. I might as well figure out some sort of breakfast.

As I stand up the rabbit morphs. At first, I think it's my imagination playing tricks on me. But as I watch, the rabbit's fur shifts, changing color and texture. Its shape contorts, becoming more humanlike with each passing second. I take a step back in shock, unsure of what I'm seeing.

Before me stands a handsome man. The man stands before me, a beautiful figure with tousled blond hair and soft gray eyes. His body is toned and strong, a body that has clearly been accustomed to hard work. His skin is bronzed from the sun and he is only wearing a pair of simple pants. He smiles at me, his lips curving up in a gentle, friendly smile.

His wide eyes are the last things I see as I fall to the ground unconscious.