The forest grew dense. Livelier. However, the trees remained twisted. They impeded Barry's path, growing all over the bank to have a greater chance at preserving their spark of life. This didn't stop Barry. He had grown used to them. One couldn't spend weeks deep in such a place, without learning more. Desperation had always pushed people further, for the better...or the worse.

With some familiarity, he found the path he had taken before, twisting through the gnarled low branches and the ever-present thorny shrubs. He made sure to carefully guide the cart he was pulling along through the narrow passageways, unwilling to get it stuck. To do so, he had to wander a bit through the forest for the most optimal path. He still kept close to the river, as it was his only true guide. Ever since he found the stream he had followed it for an hour, with the sun descending further, the rays bringing about shadows so dark that night fell early.

This situation didn't favor Barry much, for only today had he been out this late. Usually, he would be on his way back. The dark was unfamiliar...and dangerous. Barry knew this, as a minute haste had spread along his movements, making him a bit faster.

The path showed signs of traversal, the trees, and shrubs having smooth surfaces where there should be branches; the ground having crushed thorns and twigs embedded deep, and generally fewer obstacles than one expects of such a place. Barry cared not and went on ahead.

On his way, Barry looked about slowly, caution present in every stride. His gaze would sometimes lead to an empty patch of darkness as if looking out for something, something other than prey. Of course, the darkness didn't help his efforts, the shadows twisting and falling over every shape, giving the illusion of movement. The human eye was sensitive to such things, forcing Barry to halt his pace.

The wind blew, but with so few leaves to rustle, it became a long drawn-out whistle sending chills down the spine of any unfortunate being while obscuring other sounds. Barry however powered through, having been long used to the call of the forest. Then the forest disappeared.

|=====================|

With a step, I was in another land. Behind me, a tangled mass of a dying forest enshrouded in a gloom that haunts me to this day. Beneath my feet, fresh green grass emerged proudly from the fertile soil in sole hegemony. There was no other type of plant in this small clearing. The grass, fresher and more bright than those in the city, was the only thing here. The surrounding forest remained at the border, as if afraid to encroach. Their fear made me fear.

This was unnatural. It still is. Such things are what one should be wary of, no matter what. The Collapse only made it worse.

I stepped further into this domain, having no choice. Any other path would bring me away from the river and into an unfamiliar place. A place, one could get lost in and never return.

Softly traveling across, I looked at a certain point of the shallow bank on the right. A faint depression could be seen in the sand, marking the spot where the naive fawn fell from my shot. I heard it bleat when I came close to the grass yesterday. It was the presence of the creature, so deep within the grass, that gave a bit of hope that I could cross. So far, that hope has been going strong.

Before seeing the creature, I hadn't dared even to touch feet in this place. Hunted only in the forest nearby, taking whatever creature came close by.

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Tension compressed my muscles, the fact that uncharted territory lay ahead fully acknowledged by my body. At what seemed like a snail's pace, I reached the other side with no unforeseen consequences. Nothing had happened. I had walked across and here I was, on the other side. Nothing happened to the cart as well.

My body relaxed a minuscule amount, I went inside the forest. My hand reached and unhooked my axe. Raising it over my head, I swung. Hard. All things in its path were chopped clean, displaying the capability of my technique and my tool's sharpness. Then raising it again, I chopped at another place, at another angle over and over, until a clear path had developed in front of me.

Still holding onto my axe, for two very obvious purposes, I went in. A faint swish rang out from behind me.

...

For what seemed like an eternity, I stood still. Rooted to the ground, my senses primed for anything out of place. Every inch of my body was wound with energy, ready to spring at any disturbance.

...

Nothing happened. Nothing that I could feel. Swiftly turning on the spot, I looked. A small land of vibrant grass, surrounded by the dreary forest. It was the same as before. It felt the same as before. To make sure, I stood there observing for anything...anything that stood out. Nothing again.

Turning slowly, the corner of my eyes caught a slow chilling sight. The grass undulated, ever so softly, towards me. An even fainter swish rang out. The grass behaved strangely, and strange was enough for me.

Turning towards my future, I began to delve deeper at a much more rapid pace. The flurry of axe swings made my chops more imprecise, but in this situation, it didn't matter. It was faster. Still, I had to make sure the cart didn't get stuck. That would the worst-case scenario. It is not so easy to detach.

Time passed, and I had reached deep. as far as I could from that place. I wouldn't have to deal with whatever horrors that hid there...at least for now.

Somehow I had kept close to the river, my actions probably controlled by my subconscious. The cart, on the other hand, didn't fare well. It was roughed up, I couldn't give it much focus. It should work though.

The sun had set even deeper, making the shadows reach a whole new domain, inseparable from the real night. Only the sky gave the true inkling of the actual time. I had only an hour or so to hunt. I had to find prey soon...or else today will be a failure.

We won't go hungry for a few days, the deer was sufficient, but I would break my promise...and the deal. I need steady prey for at least a few days or else I won't have enough to trade. Today can't be missed.

With newfound courage suppressing the fear that had unknowingly crept into me, I continued my journey. With precise blows, lacking the earlier panic, I made great headway. A faint whine could be heard in the distance.

It was very faint and was suppressed immediately, but it was unmistakable. It was the cry of a deer's child asking its mother for milk. I had found the herd. I had found hope.

Slowly crouching, I gently unbuckled the cart from me to give me more freedom. Taking the unstrung bow from my back, I took out the boarhide and used it to string my bow, making sure it was tight enough. Checking my quiver, I used my axe to slowly clear place, making sure to not make unnecessary noise. Then I saw it. I saw where the darkness didn't obscure.

In a clearing, gathered a fairly large herd. This surprised me, to have so many alive and somewhat nourished...they had to come from deeper within, where the forest still lived. What they were doing in such a wasteland, I did not know. The males stood guard in a circle, with the children and the females gathered within. They were all unnaturally quiet with vigilant eyes, showing the forest the fear and respect it deserved.

I swiftly hooked my axe. I took hold of my bow, holding it steady in front of me. All of this, in a smooth practiced flow, done with care and a measured pace. My right hand reached the quiver that lay behind and took out an arrow, the first of the day. I placed it on the string and drew it back. This was a chance I couldn't miss.

Judging my aim and strength, I let it loose. Straight at the wide-open neck of the adult stag right in the front. The arrow flew so fast, that the twang of the string, and the swish of the arrow seemed to arrive later. It hit true.

The first prey had fallen.