So There Were More People Who Didn't Want Me Dead

I wasn't interested in survival; I liked comfort, so I woke up more than once, and each time something new appeared. Someone had taken pity on me and kept the fire burning. They had even left pieces of meat on long sticks, the dripping fat hissing upon contact with the fire, which woke me up even more often but also gave me more chances to catch my benefactor. I really wanted to sincerely thank him, but on the other hand, I found it suspicious that he was always hiding.

I decided to catch my benefactor, although it wasn't the easiest task. After all, I wanted to sleep, since I was already surrounded by such pleasant warmth; it could have been a little more comfortable, but I couldn't complain too much. I didn't have to get up for work the next day, the alarm clock wasn't waiting for its time to rudely yank me out of sleep, and maybe the lack of a phone wasn't as devastating as I first thought. Maybe people here live quite well, and I'll be fine with them. Yes, I had a task from the princess, but I also had three months to complete it and generally try to survive. No computers, no paperwork, no social media trying to tell you how to live and encouraging you in every way that you could achieve it, of course by buying the products they advertise, and only with a little effort.

Now I needed some strength to just pretend to be asleep, because I suspected otherwise my savior wouldn't even come close. High alert, I told myself, and I waited. Fortunately, not for long, because I was already certain this was my last chance. I didn't know if this person would stay with me for long; it was unlikely they would follow me any further.

I heard a commotion nearby, but I refrained from opening my eyes so as not to startle him. After a moment, I lifted my eyelids really slightly and saw a young man. I regretted not being able to get a closer look at him so as not to give myself away. He was busy checking which cuts of meat were already good enough. However, something in my demeanor worried him, as he watched me intently. My mistake was probably squeezing my eyes too tightly. I carefully opened them again, just enough to see anything, and he was already leaving. I cursed silently; even the simplest plan I'd ever made would be a failure.

"Don't go!" I called after him. He stopped but didn't look back. "Please don't leave me. I don't want to feel lonely again, even for a moment."

I admit I was desperate, not so much to thank him, but simply to spend some time with someone who didn't despise me and didn't have to fear anyone for being kind to me. My pleas didn't particularly move my benefactor, but he didn't run away, so maybe I still had a chance.

"I just want to thank you and talk to you for a moment." What a stubborn man! Come here and sit with me for a while. "If my presence bothers you, I'll be leaving in the morning. I just don't want to be alone for a while."

Did I say that last sentence with a crack in my voice? Yes. Was I trying to play on his feelings? Perhaps, though not with such ruthless intent, it just worked out that way. It doesn't matter how; the important thing is that it worked, and he slowly turned towards me but only took a few steps closer to the fire.

"Eat," he said curtly.

His gaze pierced me, as if waiting for me to fill his order. I hadn't intended to, and I returned the favor. I didn't know who he was in this world, but since he wasn't a dragon-man and didn't wear a crown and strange clothes, I considered us quite equal.

"Sit." That caught him off guard, and surprisingly, he obeyed.

I hadn't thought it through. When he sat down on the other side of the fire, I had to struggle quite a bit to get a good look at him. Now he was avoiding my gaze, and when he was just a little further away, he seemed so distant. He had a strangely tied piece of cloth around his head; it was probably meant to look like a headscarf, but I'd learned that in this world, I couldn't be sure of anything. He seemed close in age to me, perhaps a few years older. Although he had expressive features, this man exuded a certain sensitivity, but not delicacy; if necessary, he could probably cut me up pretty badly. I don't even know how I could articulate these feelings so precisely. Perhaps I had been gifted with some special power? I doubt it.

My insatiable curiosity prevented me from enjoying the taste of the food. Besides adding a few spices, the most wonderful thing was that it had been cooked. I had to quickly dismiss the image of dinner with the princess so that what I had swallowed would remain in my stomach. I focused on my benefactor, mentally threatening him that as soon as we reached morning, I would take a closer look at him. With company, I had no intention of sleeping any longer. I was still desperate and a little intrigued; this was, after all, the first person I had met in this world. Actually, not really, because we only exchanged two words.

"Thank you," I decided to start with what had been on my mind from the very beginning. "For everything. If I can repay you somehow..."

"No need," he interrupted. What a talkative fellow, still better company than none.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked, extending the stick of food to him. "I can't eat it all. Eat it too so it doesn't go to waste. I also have fruit. If you'd like, I'd be happy to share."

He shook his head but reached for the meat. He grabbed the stick as far away from my hand as possible. I felt a little offended because I wasn't contagious, I guess. I bit my tongue to avoid commenting on this behavior. Freed from all the social conventions that sometimes made my life in the real world difficult, I veered a little too far in the opposite direction. I hoped, however, that he would graciously answer my question and not spend endless time pondering the appropriate choice of words with that piece of meat still impaled on the stick.

"You looked awful." He looked away. I barely heard him, as this time he whispered.

Well, my gratitude hadn't diminished, and I was glad that it had been enough for him to show me so much help, though I had the feeling there was more to it. I had almost perfected my reading between the lines, these subtle suggestions and threats smuggled in with a deceptively charming smile. Besides, I suspected I looked awful; how could I possibly present myself at my best when I was currently feeling like the worst? Although, in his company, that feeling wasn't so depressing.

"What's your name?" I asked, infusing the question with politeness, hoping he wouldn't distance himself even further.

"Renet." Finally, he settled on something like a faint smile.

"Kyo," I introduced myself and thanked him once again for everything. I emphasized the last word, and then, without knowing why, I saw pain and guilt in his eyes, and that was very disturbing.