the ones left

Prologue: Lost in the woods

Hiding in his tent, he was holding on to his pocket knife. His breath turning into steam in the cold wind, he stared at the ever increasing cold and danger. He ate a berry. Another. And another. But he then stops. He had to save it. He was hungry, but... Might as well not make himself more hungry later on, right?

...The morning finally comes. Oh sweet, sweet morning. Well, the wolves didn't get him. Good, isn't it...? Nevertheless, it was time to wake up. Great... He didn't even get actual sleep. He gets out of his sleeping bag, and grabs his backpack. Then, he folds his tent and sleeping bag, puts his knife back in his pocket, and leaves. 

A few days ago, his home was raided. He was forced to flee, and to see them burn it down from the forest, powerless, as they took his rations. Now he was lost here, surviving out of forest berries and river water. With little hopes of survival, too...

But no need to keep thinking about the past, right? Anyways... If he went in one single direction, he would end up finding his way out... Right? There has to be an end to this forest, eventually...

... How big was this forest? For sure, it felt way bigger than it looked. Even after hours of walking, he was still lost. He then goes to get berries. Wait... He did find weird there was so many bushes in a row when he went to search... For... Berries...

...

He ran back. As fast as he could, he ran back to his starting point. How could he not think about this any sooner?

He finally gets back to the start, panting. His legs were in pain, his lungs were burning, and he was breathing heavily. He fell on his back. The adrenaline took him, and he didn't realize how much he tired himself up.

... It was cold. He needed to recover, but also to protect himself against the cold snow now covering him. But he had no energy left. C'mon! he can't die like that! Not when he's about to finally get out! 

After fighting the pain for a good while, he finally wipes the snow off him, and manages toslide in the sleeping bag, before to sit back on a pine tree, as to not get snow in his only protection against the white killer. That was reckless... It was very close this time. Too close, even...

The night comes, as he finally gets back on his feet. Of course... He didn't have to get back home now, but he couldn't wait anymore. His house was in ruins, but at least the walls were still standing, and could protect him from the cold... Plus, there was a lot more houses to... Borrow, now that nobody was left. The forest could go screw itself, he wanted a warm bed. And he would get one, tonight, no matter what it takes.