May 16-20th, 3030
Pain lanced through Itus's body with each labored step as he limped through the dense forest. His left arm, cradled in a makeshift sling torn from his jumpsuit, throbbed in time with his heartbeat. I never thought I'd miss the feeling of two working arms so much, Itus mused, a weary smile tugging at his lips despite the pain. What I wouldn't give for a hot shower and a soft bed right now. Hours had melted into a hazy blur since he'd begun this desperate journey, fatigue settling into his bones like a leaden weight.
The natural path formed by ancient trees guided his faltering steps, but Itus's gaze darted constantly, searching for the glimmer of hope that water would bring. Every few minutes, he was forced to pause, lungs heaving as he fought to catch his breath. In these moments of stillness, the gravity of his situation threatened to overwhelm him.
Just as despair began to sink its claws into his resolve, a faint sound cut through the forest's oppressive silence. Itus held his breath, straining to hear. There it was again – the unmistakable gurgle of running water. Could it be? Don't get your hopes up too high, Itus, he cautioned himself. But oh, how I long for that to be real. With renewed determination, he pushed forward, ignoring the protests of his battered body.
When the river finally came into view, it was as if a mirage had sprung to life before his eyes. It's real. It's actually real! Itus's mind sang with joy. I've never been so happy to see water in my entire life. He stumbled towards it, collapsing to his knees at the water's edge. Cupping his right hand, he brought the cool, clear liquid to his parched lips, drinking deeply and gratefully. Each swallow felt like life itself flowing back into his veins.
As the initial relief subsided, Itus sat back, allowing himself a moment to truly assess his predicament. I'm stronger than I thought, he reflected, a spark of pride kindling in his chest. But what's next? How long can I keep this up? Survival in this wilderness would be a monumental challenge, especially with his injuries. Food and shelter – these would be his entire world now.
The sun's descent painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, a beautiful sight that only served to underscore the urgency of Itus's situation. Following the river upstream, his eyes scanned the landscape for a suitable location to make camp. A sturdy tree with low-hanging branches caught his attention, and Itus set to work with grim determination.
Gathering what materials he could manage with his one good arm, he leaned branches against the tree trunk, creating a rudimentary shelter. Not exactly five-star accommodations, but it'll have to do, Itus thought with a hint of humor. It was far from perfect, but it would have to suffice. As he worked, his stomach growled insistently, reminding him of his next pressing need.
Unable to hunt due to his injury, Itus turned his attention to foraging. He scoured the surrounding area, eyes peeled for anything that might be edible. Who would have thought those boring nature trainings would come in handy? he mused, grateful for every scrap of knowledge he could recall. After what felt like an eternity, he managed to collect a meager assortment of berries, nuts, and roots. Each morsel was accompanied by a silent prayer, hoping his limited knowledge wouldn't lead him to consume anything poisonous.
As Itus finished his sparse meal, darkness enveloped the forest like a heavy blanket. He crawled into his shelter, trying to find a comfortable position despite his injuries. Tomorrow will be better. It has to be, he reassured himself, clinging to optimism. Sleep proved elusive, his mind racing with unanswered questions and fears for the future. When exhaustion finally claimed him, his dreams were fitful and filled with shadows.
Days began to blur together, each one a variation on the same desperate theme. Itus would wake with the sun, dismantle his shelter, and continue his journey along the river. Another day, another adventure in survival, he thought sardonically each morning. I'm starting to forget what day it is. Does it even matter anymore? He foraged when he could, rested when his body demanded it, and each evening constructed a new shelter for the night.
The nights, however, brought their own unique torments. Cold seeped into his bones, causing him to shiver uncontrollably. He curled into himself, desperate for warmth, often waking in the small hours to find himself trembling. On the third night, frustration boiled over as he attempted to start a fire. His injured arm prevented him from generating the necessary friction, and in a moment of rage, he scattered the carefully gathered tinder. Great job, Itus. Real mature, he chided himself. As quickly as the anger came, it dissipated, leaving Itus feeling hollow and spent.
Time lost all meaning as Itus pressed on, driven by an instinct for survival he didn't know he possessed. Day bled into night, and night into day, in an endless cycle of walking, resting, foraging, and fitful sleep. I'm becoming one with nature whether I like it or not, he mused, noticing how attuned he'd become to the forest's rhythms. The forest seemed to stretch on forever, an unchanging green labyrinth that threatened to swallow him whole.
Yet even in the depths of his isolation, Itus clung to a fragile thread of hope. It was this hope that kept him moving forward, one painful step after another, even when his body screamed for rest. It was hope that sharpened his senses, always searching for signs of civilization amidst the wilderness.
And then, on a day that at first seemed no different from the countless others, everything changed. As Itus crested a small hill, his heart leapt into his throat. Am I hallucinating? Please let this be real, he pleaded silently. There, nestled in a clearing below, lay a small town – a beacon of humanity in the sea of green that had become his world.
Relief and anticipation surged through him as he began his descent. I did it. I actually did it, Itus marveled, almost not believing his own success. Itus stumbled into the picturesque small town, his weary eyes taking in the central square lined with storefronts and cozy homes. The valley, surrounded by rolling farmland, seemed almost too perfect to be real. Where am I? he thought, his gaze darting around as he searched for anything that might help him.
A sharp pang in his stomach drew his attention to a small food store. I'm starving, Itus realized, placing a hand on his rumbling belly in a futile attempt to quiet it. With no other options, he made his way towards the shop and stepped inside.
The aisles of the food store seemed to stretch endlessly before him. Itus wandered aimlessly, finally grabbing a random item off a shelf. This'll have to do, he thought, approaching the checkout counter with trepidation.
As he placed the item on the counter, Itus slowly raised his eyes to meet the clerk's. The man behind the register gave him a wary look, his gaze sweeping over Itus's disheveled appearance.
"That's it?" the clerk asked, his tone neutral but tinged with suspicion.
"Um... yeah. That's it," Itus mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
The clerk scanned the item with a swift, practiced motion. "That will be 4 Atlas."
Itus nodded, his heart sinking. He began to pat down his jumpsuit, feigning a search through his pockets. After a moment of this charade, he looked up at the clerk with what he hoped was a convincing, nervous smile.
"It seems like I forgot my money at home," Itus lied, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "I don't know how it slipped my mind. Is it possible for me to take this now? I swear I'll come right back and pay for it."
The clerk's expression hardened, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. "Look, kid. This isn't a charity. You either have the money or you don't. So pay or get out of here."
"Right. Sorry," Itus mumbled, shame coloring his cheeks.
With trembling hands, he picked up the item and shuffled back to the aisle where he'd found it. I'm such an idiot, he berated himself. As he reached out to return the item to its shelf, a desperate thought struck him. Maybe I could...
Itus glanced around furtively, noting that the clerk was now occupied with another customer. This is my chance. His heart pounding, he slowly began to move the item towards an open pocket in his jumpsuit.
"I wouldn't do that," a gravelly voice suddenly cut through the air.
Startled, Itus dropped the item, whirling around to face the source of the voice. To his left stood an older male Mierese, probably around 60 years old, regarding him with a mixture of amusement and disapproval.
"I wasn't doing anything," Itus stammered, his face burning with embarrassment.
The older man's lips quivered into a small smirk. "There is no need to play dumb. Based on your appearance and your interaction with Watson, I can put together what you were about to do."
"Watson?" Itus echoed, confusion momentarily overriding his panic.
The man laughed, a hearty sound that seemed at odds with the tense situation. "That's all you have to say. Watson's the clerk."
"Oh," Itus managed, forcing out a nervous chuckle.
"Yeah," the man continued, his tone growing more serious. "And I mean, if you want to take that, by all means, go ahead. But I feel I should warn you that he doesn't take stealing very lightly. I heard the last person, you know." He made a croaking sound and slid his pointer finger across his throat. "So I wouldn't recommend it."
Itus felt the blood drain from his face. He turned back towards the clerk – Watson – with horror, then back to the older man. In that brief moment, the stranger had closed the distance between them. Before Itus could react, the man's hand closed around his right arm, pulling him towards the exit.
"Come with me," he said, his tone brooking no argument.
Once outside the store, the man released Itus's arm and continued walking. Itus remained rooted to the spot, confusion etched across his features. Without turning around, the older man motioned for him to follow.
"Keep up," he called back. "I don't have all day to fool around."
What's happening? Itus wondered, his mind racing. Should I run? Where would I even go? After a moment's hesitation, he decided to follow the stranger. He quickened his pace until they were walking side by side.
"I'm Cliff, by the way," the older man said.
Itus nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
"And you are?" Cliff prompted, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh... I'm... uh... Lucas," Itus lied, the false name tumbling from his lips before he could think better of it.
"Well, Lucas, nice to meet you," Cliff replied, seeming to accept the name without question. "And now Lucas, how did you end up like this?" He gestured vaguely at Itus's entire body.
Itus's mind raced, cobbling together a story on the spot. "Oh well, you see... um... I'm a space explorer, and my last mission didn't exactly end so well. I crashed not too far from here, and my ship was kind of damaged beyond repair, and the crash destroyed my supplies along with my arm and leg. So... um... yeah. I just walked here since I had nowhere else to go."
Cliff nodded, encouraging Itus to continue.
"I was kind of just hoping to find some work or supplies or anything really," Itus added, the lies coming easier now. "I'm just trying to get out of here as soon as possible and get back to home base."
"And how exactly are you planning to work with your injuries?" Cliff asked, his tone skeptical.
Itus faltered. "I... um. I guess I didn't really think about that."
"You didn't think about it," Cliff repeated, shaking his head. "I've only known you a few minutes, and it seems like you don't really think anything through."
Itus let out an awkward laugh. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Well, don't you worry about that," Cliff said, making a slight motion with his hand that seemed to indicate the conversation was over.
They walked in silence for the rest of the journey, eventually arriving at a small house near the outskirts of town. Cliff fished out a set of keys, unlocking the door and holding it open for Itus.
"Just in here," he said, ushering Itus inside before following and shutting the door behind them.
"Cliff! Is that you?" a woman's voice called from within the house.
"Yeah!" Cliff responded. "And I brought company."
Cliff led the way towards the kitchen, Itus trailing behind him. As they entered, Itus saw another Mierese, a woman about Cliff's age, standing by the counter.
"Anise, this is Lucas," Cliff said by way of introduction. "Lucas, this is my wife, Anise."
"Hello. It's nice to meet you," Anise said warmly, her eyes kind as they took in Itus's battered appearance.
"I was thinking you could heal the poor guy," Cliff continued, lowering his voice to a stage whisper. "As you can probably see, he isn't doing too great." He returned to his normal volume. "And he said that he could help around the house, but I figured that he would be more successful if he had all his working limbs."
Anise nodded, her expression softening further. "Oh, yes of course. That's no problem at all. Let me just get my stuff, and I'll be right back."
As Anise left the room, Cliff turned to Itus. "Anise's a healer. She will fix you in a second, and then you and I can have a little discussion."
"Oh, okay. I... um. I don't know what to say," Itus stammered, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.
Cliff waved him off. "Don't say anything. You don't even know what I want yet."
Before Itus could respond, Anise reappeared, carrying a large suitcase. "Lucas! You can follow me into my office. This only takes a few minutes."
"When you are done, come and find me outside," Cliff added as Anise led Itus away.
They stopped in front of a small door, which Anise opened to reveal a large, cluttered room. Every surface was covered with an eclectic array of objects – plants, posters, crystals, and books. A solitary window at the back let in a shaft of sunlight, illuminating a bare table in the center of the room.
"Lie down on the table on your back," Anise instructed.
Itus hesitated for a moment before gingerly climbing onto the table. Anise stood beside him, opening her suitcase to reveal an assortment of unfamiliar tools.
"I can see that your arm is injured, but is there anywhere else?" she asked, her tone professional but kind.
"Yeah," Itus admitted. "I dislocated my shoulder, and I think I sprained my ankle on my right leg. I also have some bruising across my entire body."
Anise laughed softly. "Okay, I'll just make sure I leave no stone unturned then."
She began to pull various items from her suitcase. "Close your eyes, Lucas and all your pain will be gone in an instant."
Without thinking, Itus obeyed, squeezing his eyes shut. What am I doing? he wondered. Can I really trust these people?
"Breathe in for me," Anise's voice came again, "and then breathe out."
Itus took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and then slowly exhaled. As the air left his lungs, he felt a sudden snap throughout his body, followed by a warm sensation that spread from his head to his toes. He heard Anise putting away her tools and then her voice once more:
"You can open your eyes and sit up for me."
Itus blinked his eyes open, slowly raising himself to a sitting position. Cautiously, he removed his arm from the makeshift sling and rotated it. To his amazement, there was no pain – it felt as if it had never been injured at all. He slid off the table, walking around the room in disbelief. His leg, too, felt completely healed.
"Oh my god!" he exclaimed. "How did you do that? That was amazing!"
Anise smiled modestly. "Thank you. It's really nothing, just an old healer's secret."
She turned to a nearby dresser, struggling for a moment with a stubborn drawer before managing to open it. From inside, she pulled out a bundle of clothes, which she placed on the table.
"Here are some old clothes that no one uses anymore," she said. "Once you're done, just go down the hall, and the last door on your left will lead you outside."
"Thank you," Itus said, still in awe of his miraculous recovery.
"Of course. I'll give you some privacy," Anise replied, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her.
Itus quickly changed out of his tattered jumpsuit and into the provided clothes. As he dressed, he marveled at his unblemished skin – all traces of his injuries had vanished. After folding his old jumpsuit and placing it on the table, he followed Anise's directions and made his way outside.
In the back garden, he found Cliff seated in one of two lawn chairs. Itus approached slowly, lowering himself into the empty chair.
"How do you feel?" Cliff asked, his eyes sharp and assessing.
"Great, actually," Itus admitted.
Cliff nodded approvingly. "Good. Anise's the best healer you'll ever meet. Everyone and anyone is always knocking on our door, asking her for help."
A moment of silence stretched between them before Itus gathered the courage to ask, "Why are you doing this? Why help me?"
Cliff's lips curved into a small smile. "Are you a betting man?"
"Um... no, not really," Itus replied, caught off guard by the question.
"Would you like to make a bet with me?" Cliff pressed.
Itus hesitated. "What's the bet?"
"I bet you can't do three days of farm work," Cliff explained. "If you win, I'll give you some new clothes, some food, some supplies, and a couple of bucks. If you lose, you will owe me 1000 Atlas."
"1000 Atlas?" Itus echoed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Cliff's gaze was challenging. "You don't think you can do it?"
"What do you mean by farm work?" Itus asked, trying to buy time to think.
"You will do some yard work, construction, cooking, animal work, blah blah," Cliff said dismissively. "Basically, you will just have to do any work I tell you. So, do we have a deal?"
Itus hesitated, weighing his options. This could be my chance to get supplies and move on, he thought. But if I lose...
"Yeah," he said finally, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Cliff stuck out his hand, and Itus reached out to shake it, sealing the deal. Cliff then stood up from his chair.
"You'll start tomorrow," he announced. "You can do whatever you want for now. I'll show you to your bed later, and we eat dinner at five daily."
As Cliff started to walk back towards the house, Itus called out, "You didn't answer my question. Why are you doing this?"
Cliff turned back, his expression unreadable. "I always like a good bet," he said after a pause. "Plus, you remind me of my youngest son."
With that, Cliff disappeared into the house, leaving Itus alone in the garden. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the carefully tended plants, Itus stared out at the peaceful scene, his mind whirling with questions and doubts.
What have I gotten myself into? he wondered, the weight of his decision settling over him like a heavy blanket.
As darkness began to fall, Itus remained in the chair, lost in thought, the enormity of his situation finally sinking in. He was stranded in an unfamiliar place, with no money, no supplies, and now, a wager that could either save him or plunge him deeper into trouble.
The gentle evening breeze carried the scent of flowers and freshly cut grass, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Itus's mind.
Three days, he thought. I can do this.
Tomorrow, the real test will begin.
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