It was evident that just focusing on his memories wouldn't help him. So Ren pushed himself back up, flinching from the pain coming from his side.
Ren needed a plan. He only really knew one thing. Staying here was a death wish. He could feel it. So, what was the other option?
'I got to move.'
Ren came to the decision quickly. Not because he was decisive, no that wasn't the case. It's just that there really was only one option.
But just because Ren knew he had to move didn't mean he should. Not right now. Just moving a couple feet made his body scream at him, and Ren would have to move well over just two feet.
Although Ren reacted quickly to the problems that first arose when he woke up, that was just because he was in fight-or-flight. Now that his wound wasn't bleeding as much, his stress fell. Ren became a little bit more aware of his situation. That's when an immense sadness hit him.
He didn't remember anything about his past but he could feel it. Ren lost the things most precious to him. His breathe quickened as he started to hyperventilate.
Everything that he held close to him was now gone. Someone had took it all.
Tears fell from his eyes and dropped to the ground.
"All o-of it..."
Ren stammered. The feelings only grew more.
"I lost it all."
Ren was no longer in shock. Tears flew from his face. He curled up into a ball. His past life was no more. The people he knew were no more. And now he was here, alone.
Ren sucked in a big gulp of air, trying to slow his breath. He did it again... and then again... until he was finally breathing normal again. And then he shut his eyes.
*
Hours later Ren awoke. Tears stained his face, but oddly he felt better. His injury didn't hurt near as much.
Grumble
His stomach was worse though. Focusing on other things, Ren completely neglected his hunger.
'Food'
Picking the bag up he rummage through it once again. Feeling his way to the pack of jerky.
Grumble
Ren's stomach continued to yell at him, so he quickly unzipped the clear pack and took just one piece.
Stuffing his mouth with it, he chewed very slowly, savoring each bite. Ren counted what was left in the pack. Only nine pieces of jerky were left. Considering he would need at least three a day not including today, Ren only had three days before running out of food.
He put the pack back into the bag. Considering the food, water, and his injury, Ren had to hurry. His time was limited.
By now the temperature was much cooler than it was when he first awoke. This was the ideal time to move. The sun was just now setting, basking the flatlands in a golden glow. It was warm and beautiful.
Ren put the bag on his back and started walking in no certain direction. Just the direction he felt best, into the distance and towards the sun.
*
Ren limped forward for hours. The sun had fully set by now and the warm air turned cool. Ren liked it more this way. The wind blew past his face, waving his hair around in the process.
And he continued walking.
Ever since the beginning, Ren was trying to remember his memories, or even to just feel those emotions again, but they wouldn't come. It was like his past self was just barely strong enough to pass those along for a moment and then they were gone.
Ren thought about it. Did he really want to feel those emotions again? After all, they were strong enough to cripple him... Then another question popped into his mind. Was that what his past self was feeling?
Ren shook his head. He didn't really care. Right now he only wanted to find more resources, or better yet a person. But even after walking for hours the scenery hadn't changed even a bit.
It was still just him and the vast distance that lay ahead.
Walking quickly made him bored, then drowsy. The only thing keeping Ren awake was the jolt of pain that was sent through him every time he took a step. In a way it was helpful.
His steps continued. His eyes drew heavy, but he persevered. Ren still felt that his body was yelling at him to run. Somewhere far behind, there was something following him.
Ren came up with a game to keep his mind from falling asleep. He carefully avoided each crack on the ground, making sure to step between each one. It was honestly childish, but it worked for him.
Ren's thoughts continued. Another question that left him stumped was 'how'. How'd the world fall? He obviously didn't remember what it used to look like, but Ren just knew that it was different now then what it should've been.
The second Ren woke up, he knew the world was wrong. From his memories being gone, the gaping hole in his side, and the feeling he was being hunted. It all hinted to something, but Ren was unsure what.
After miles and miles of walking he was yet to run into another human or manmade creation. Not even ruins were left.
And for him to be in the middle of nowhere, that was also definitely odd.
Ren continued to think, but besides what he already mentioned there was nothing else. He didn't have anything to go on.
Should he just wait for that 'thing' following him to catch up?
Ren immediately shook his head. That wasn't in the cards. Whatever it was, his body was put on edge because of it. That was probably for good reason.
So what could he do? The answer was nothing.
There wasn't anything Ren could do to figure out what was happening besides walking. And so he cleared his thoughts and continued with his 'game'.
*
Even more hours passed. The sky grew darker. The only things providing him light were the stars and the moon. Ren couldn't see himself but he could imagine if someone else were to see him right now, they might think he was a monster.
Ren was currently limping with one leg behind, holding his side. His veins looked like they were about to burst. He looked like a zombie, endlessly wondering.
Ren licked his lips and stopped. He hadn't drunken anything since he first woke up and he was feeling it. Although the cool air prevented him from wasting any sweat, that didn't mean he could continue without water.
Taking off his bag, Ren grabbed the flask from it and gently unscrewed it. He gave himself some relief and let a little fall down his throat, then he screwed it and put it back.
He was craving more but he couldn't allow himself.
Throwing the bag back on he was just about to continue walking, but something caught his eye. Far into the distance... A light was directly ahead of him, flickering. At first Ren thought it was the sun but shook his head right away.
The sun would be rising behind him now, and it wouldn't be flickering like that. What he was seeing right now was a fire, and that meant something was burning.
That meant there was someone who lit it.
There was someone...