Two of us

Fwoosh

Tsk.  

I alerted that capybara way too early. I had a terrible position to actually kill it. They are quite chunky looking mammals, with a tired looking face. A 50 kilos guinea pig on the verge of being too cute for me to eat. How viable is it to actually get one as a pet? 

Maybe it is not the time to think about that.

I wish I had more prey to practice, perhaps I'd be able to master it without spending skill points.  Potentially, I could hunt some monkeys? Nah, they look so human, I cannot. 

I've noticed the forest has been a bit quieter these days. 

Is it the three of us disrupting the natural order around here? Somehow, I doubt that, but in any case we should look for a better place, potentially even try to go to a town, although I'm sure we're wanted people right now. 

I wish I met the developers of this thing, where is the police alert HUD? Are we going to be wanted forever, or are we already forgotten? This whole world is terrible and unwelcoming. Sloppy game design if you ask me.

In fact, I don't even remember having fun at any moment after an entire week in here. I have been anxious, desperate, even scared and ashamed. Mostly bored these last days. 

I am just wandering around right now. For three days straight: 

Verify and rearm the traps. Check

Go back with the food. Check

Joy tending to Biel's wound. Check

Biel skins the animals. Check

We cook and eat. Check

Bonus task

Fake a satisfaction smile. Double Check.

The only thing happening is Joy seems to have a new hobby of collecting and smashing bark. Can't say I understand it, but she seems a bit happier. Or, more accurately, less unhappy. 

Did she invest points in that skill, though? I mean, she did have a lot, but we never know what we might need later. I cannot say much, though. I'm the one who has zero not-assigned points. 

She is putting some kind of spread out goo with the other things that are drying on the sun. 

I really cannot tell what the hell this is, some kind of cloth? Let me get one to see.

"Don't touch that."

It seems she noticed me. Tsk.

I look in her direction and make some dumb expression.

"Haha, sorry?"

It is still awkward between us. Come on, I just need to recognize that I did wrong, but somehow my heart refuses to pump blood for that cause.

... 

Well, whatever, I have to go get some good wooden pieces. 

We've decided to start making backpacks. I'll be in charge of getting wood and resin to give them a definite shape. Best go get some sturdy, flexible and lightweight logs. Joy will weave palm to be the actual container and lids. Biel is in charge of assembling everything and using the resin to waterproof it. 

There isn't much of a sense of urgency, since Biel shouldn't move long distances right now anyway. I'm not even really looking for the pieces, maybe It was just awkward, and I was fleeing a conversation.

I'm just feeling the breeze. Today it is warm, but not as hot as other days. It rained earlier, so I'm with enough water to wander around. Good thing the palm leaves clothing doesn't retain much water, so it isn't uncomfortable. I take a deep breath and observe the forest. 

Despite it all, there truly is something beautiful about nature. The imposing palm trees, the shorter hardwood ones fighting for a bit of sun. The dew reflecting light and giving a divine aesthetic around the treetops. 

Monkeys and sloths hanging. So many different birds calling. There is this sense of chaotic harmony. Although I could do without the insects, I'll admit it. LOL

My eyes are drawn to a bark that seems to have strong scratch marks and the sheer amount of dead leaves on the floor. It is also part of life, the aggression, and the end. At least Biel is getting better, perhaps I should start taking the mission of moving more seriously.

I keep on moving, and even get some sticks that have potential, while thinking about the prospects of moving. 

We should go south. 

It is the direction where roads went from the camp, that is where society resides, and I hope we can live better. Where we can actually participate in the game with others. That might be a bit arrogant, but I also want to leave our mark, change the world.

As I look upwards, inspired by the future, I can hear some cluster of insects. Maybe flies? I go take a look. Somehow there is a heavy feeling and my heart rate is already rising, as if there is a ghost behind the trees.

Instead, I'm greeted by the capybara I was trying to hunt earlier. Something is a lot better at it.

There isn't much meat left. There are large claw mark around the edges of whatever is left and deep bite marks around the neck. Some pretty big and round footprints going west — towards the river maybe?

Is it an apex predator? Come to think of it, we have probably been lucky to just have not dealt with anything aggressive. 

Suddenly. I feel very nervous. I start walking back. Rushing back to the camp. I can't hear anything.

The animal is probably already far from here. My brain doesn't tell that my legs.

I announce it to Joy and Biel without even catching my breath.

"There is a predator around. I think it might be a big cat."

They are shocked, maybe a bit scared. 

Guess I'm not getting bored again any time soon. I already miss it. But it fundamentally doesn't change much about our condition, our objectives or even our priorities. 

The eerie specter of death was already haunting our every move. How different is it, really? When that foggy mass takes a shape. When it has a defined body and eyes that follow our every move?