You can never have too many knives

“The key is to look to the sky. If you have paid attention, you probably noticed a circular strip of light in the distance. Every cycle, the strip starts shrinking, and when it reaches the critical point, the strip falls into the ground, and shoots out from Stream’s mountain. When the light shoots into the sky, that’s when they can sacrifice you.

Make sure to be ready when that time arrives.”

A weight lifted out of my chest when I read that. I got finally freed from the cast yesterday, and fearing that my time was running out, I had used every waking moment away from Lyra to read the notebook. Now, I know when I’ll be in danger, which is not now, thank God.

But, anything regarding my impending death is a problem for later, as today a new problem presented itself.

“Now that you are fully healed, you have to start contributing to the village. You probably noticed how few people live here, so any pair of capable hands is a very valuable resource. See it as paying back the food and lodging we have granted you until now, ok?”

That was what Howard said, saying that he was going to look for something I needed before I go. I truly believed that it was over for me, but seeing that the strip is still not in the mountain, it could not be my death, at least that I could be sure of.

Although, before I could barely distinguish the strip of light from the horizon, and now I can clearly see it getting closer to the mountain.

Time is of the essence.

To put it short, this is what I have concluded I need to survive:

First, I better get a weapon, I saw how old and antiquated their weaponry is, but it would do me very well to get something to defend myself when the time arrives.

Second, I need a source of food and water. I know they get food from somewhere, but I have not seen it yet. If I’m going to flee from the village, I need to secure the essentials to survive by myself.

Finally, I need to get an idea of where the hell I am. Scratch that, maybe that should be item number one on the list. It would be useless to escape the village only to be devoured by a tentacled monster of pure darkness. I really, truly, need more information about my surroundings.

After all these weeks, I managed to get my head around the idea that I was now in another world, and that returning to earth is probably out of the table, as things are. Even so, I had never felt so isolated, fearful and alone as when I saw those tentacles spring out from the darkness towards me. Recognizing that I was in a completely unknown place I truly knew nothing of, made me realize how truly alone I am now.

The only person who understands what I’m going through right now is whoever wrote that notebook, and odds are, they are already dead.

As I’ll probably be too if I don’t get my bearings soon.

“Here, take this.” Said Howard, pushing something back to me.

I was so lost in thought that I did not notice he had come back until he had pushed a backpack back into my hands.

Wait, that’s my backpack!

It’s all roughed up from my fall down the mountain and the stairs, but it truly is. I opened it and looked inside, everything seemed in order, as if they hadn’t even touched it.

I rummaged it a bit and found a small, but long, oval shaped object in the small interior pocket of it. Initially I confused it with my lighter, but prickling myself when grabbing it confirmed it was what I was looking for.

I hid it in my hand, and then put my hand back in my pocket as subtly as I could. The weapon was now secured. Might be even better than that, after all, a swiss army knife is an absolute godsend as things are now.

“You seemed to be quite well equipped, I’m surprised. I took some things from your first aid kit to treat you in the first place, but I left everything else as is.” Howard said, while walking and indicating to me to follow him.

Wait, but that can’t be. Did he see my swiss knife and chose to give it back? Is he stupid or is he that confident that I won’t try to use it to attack anyone or try to escape? Maybe he simply overlooked it?

Whatever it was, I was soon enough at the city border, with Lyra at my side, ready to depart. She was carrying a small pouch on her side, on her hand, a spear that looked to be in a far better state than the ones I saw before.

Worrying.

“Lyra will guide you so you two can scavenge some food in the nearby forest. She’ll indicate to you which things you should take and which ones you should not. Think of mushrooms, medicinal leaves and things like that.” Howard said, a bit away from us, while rummaging around in some bags at the side of a house.

He seemed to find what he was looking for, and as soon as he did he came back and gave me something again. This time, I was paying attention and was prepared to grab what he wanted to give me. What I was not prepared for was the fact that he was giving me something that looked like a gigantic green knife.

“Here, you'll need it. Using a spear requires some technique, but I think you probably know how to use one of these.” He said, leaving the knife in my hands, and then stroking my hair before going away again.

Are my captors the most idiotic bunch I have ever seen? Did I go mad? Or maybe I am an idiot and just can’t seem to understand what’s going on here?

Why do they keep giving me weapons?

At this rate, I’m gonna start doubting that notebook, this just can’t be. They can’t be THIS stupid. Or are they simply that overconfident? That would probably be the same as being idiotic, honestly.

The words I heard, every passing second they start sounding more and more like they were a dream. But as always, it may be best to err with caution, here.

“Good luck.” Howard said, giving me a slight push in my back. In front of me, Lyra started walking at a quick pace, looking back annoyed when she noticed I had not moved. Finally getting the hint, I started following her, and soon enough, we entered the dense forest that surrounded the village.

In a matter of minutes, all I could see was the forest around us, and the silent girl who guided the way forward. Only then it dawned on me that she was the only way I had back to civilization, and that I might have screwed up by following them here.