After walking a long distance into the forest, Lin Ziao looked worn out and needed a place to rest. He had really come a long way considering the fact that the village could no longer be seen from where he was.
" Is there water in this unreasonably long forest, I would have to ration the water I came with until I find a pond," said the worn out Lin Ziao calculating his chance of surviving the ordeal he put himself in.
He had hoped to not encounter any powerful beast or creature on his journey and it seemed that luck was on his side .
"Let me continue looking, by night,I will set camp wherever I am by then," said Lin Ziao as he continued his journey with worn out boots. He walked with his gaze fixed far into the large and dense expanse of trees.
He seemed to fear nothing but deep inside he was full of unease— after all, this was his first time heading into a forest on his own.
Night quickly dominated the formerly bright sky and the elegant moon replaced the not so bright sun that had gone down.
By this time, Lin Ziao had gone far and set camp near a large,oval rock which seemed to have experienced a lot of weathering during its lifetime. The rock looked like it was going to give up the ghost anytime soon.
The evening breeze made the still leaves of the large trees in the forest to dance to its rhythm.
Meanwhile
.....
"Shit how do I light this wood, it always looked easy when she did it," cursed Lin Ziao while desperately trying to kindle fire onto the dry woods.
He had gathered enough wood in hope of lighting them in the night, but now he could barely see.
What an irony.
After numerous attempts, the dry wood ignites.
Phew!!
He wipes sweat off his forehead but to his dismay, the fire did not last for long.
What?
Smash!!
Smash!!
He makes the two stones in his hand collide for about 7 times before the dry wood finally ignites.
He gets his stuffs and comes closer to the fire to feel it's warmth.
"Something is wrong," said Lin Ziao feeling like someone has been watching him since he stepped into the forest.
He had noticed it since but shrugged it off and dismissed it as a sign of paranoia but it lingered on no matter how far he travelled.
He only cared about it now because he was about to sleep and since he was all alone in this forest,it felt quite creepy to have that feeling. He unloads his backpack and brings out the Kem spear— a major contributor to his lack of money.
He hugges it and falls asleep but he doesn't sleep for long before hearing a branch from a tree snap.
He stood up with the spear in his hand, ready to engage in combat at anytime.
He looks around his surroundings which was illuminated by both the moon and the campfire and finds nothing.
With a deep breath, he said " Whoever was sent by God to protect me should really do that now."
Suddenly
A footstep is heard behind Lin Ziao and he turns back and sees nothing.
"It all in my head" thought Lin Ziao whose heart still raced but his mind told him it was all his imagination.
He lays down on the cold ground and tries to fall asleep but then
*He heard breathing*
This time, it was faint, low and rapsy — too close.