If I go straight, I have to cross the campsite. I'll be caught and killed.
I move through the thick forest, stepping carefully over dried leaves and cutting through dead bushes, keeping my eyes on everything around me.
I need to circle around.
My goal is to reach the bald man before he returns to camp. I have to bypass the campsite wide enough to not be heard, but close enough to stay ahead of him.
Slowly and steadily, I get past the camp. I find the path the bald man has created—a trail of trampled grass and cut branches. I walk parallel to it, hiding in the brush so I won't be seen.
After walking for a while, I hear it.
SFX - THUMP... THUMP...
Footsteps. And a voice.
I dive behind a large tree. I hold my spear in a defensive stance, my heart hammering against my ribs.
The footsteps get closer. The voice dies down.
Slowly, I peek my head out.
I see the bald man emerge from the shadows of the tall trees.
I pull my head back instantly. I take the salt rock out of my pocket. It has gotten way smaller over the last few days. I pop the whole thing into my mouth.
SFX - CRUNCH
The flavor bomb hits me. I close my eyes and shake my head, fighting the overwhelming saltiness. But I need the energy.
After a few seconds, I take a deep breath. I peek my head out again to check his distance.
But I don't see anyone.
What?
I peek out further. There is really no one there.
I stand up, stepping out from behind the tree.
Did he leave in just a few seconds?
Seeing that the path is empty, I start to let my guard down. I try to figure out my next move.
Now, should I just follow the trail and attack him from behind? or should I just lea—
SFX - SNAP
A twig breaks behind me.
I spin around.
SFX - SWISH
The bald man is only a few meters away. His sword is held high, swinging vertically, aiming to cut me in half.
"HOLLYYYYY FUCCCCCCKK!" I scream.
I stumble back—it's not a graceful dodge, but those few meters save my life.
The sword slams into the dirt where I was standing a second ago.
I have always been weak when it comes to jump scares. That shit almost gave me a heart attack.
I keep backing away, my heart pounding, my vision blurring. My face feels hot.
Seeing me back away, the bald man just pulls his sword up and rests it on his shoulder.
"Tch," he clicks his tongue. He looks unimpressed.
He takes a few steps forward, stepping out of the shadows and onto the main path he created.
He points his sword at me. "A wendur hew wuru yei oblu te uscopu."
I obviously don't understand a word.
He looks me up and down, eyeing the leather strap and pants I'm wearing.
"Eri thu— eri thusi Loems cluthis?"
"Waw, Yae icteilly minigod ta kull ar sebdeo luim? U dudn't oxpoct thit," he continues.
While he talks, I force myself to calm down. I need a plan.
Should I just run for it? I think, watching him.
I shift my feet, getting into a running stance. The bald man notices the movement immediately.
"Pff." He sighs. "Dambess."
Did he just call me a dumba—
SFX - WOOSH
Before I can finish the thought, he jumps forward. He closes the distance of several meters in an instant, swinging his sword down.
I barely dodge by jumping to my left.
He turns and swings again. I dodge. He swings again. I dodge—but barely.
Seems like my work didn't go to waste.
I spent hours each day watching him practice. I memorized his pattern.
First, a downward swipe. Then a step forward. Turn the blade, attack left. Turn, attack right. Then up. And various other steps.
I know what comes next.
He attacks downward. I see the small gap.
I twist my body just like I did with him last time. I lunge forward to punch him in the temple.
But he twists, too.
He spins his body, turning his back to me. He drives his elbow backward into my shoulder.
SFX - CRACK
"Gah!"
The impact sends me crashing to the ground.
"That was... out of the syllabus..." I wheeze, struggling to breathe through the pain.
Before I can even try to roll away, he kicks me.
SFX - BAM
His boot connects with my ribs and stomach.
I go flying. I roll over the dirt for several meters until my back slams into a tree stump.
SFX - THUD
SFX - BLEUGH
Blood and saliva spray from my mouth, turning the dirt into mud.
My vision gets blurry. I can't think. The pain is immense.
What should... I do... now...
As my eyes start to close, I see the bald man walking toward me. Slowly. Taking his time.
As darkness creeps in, I see a vision.
I see the lean man choking on the ground. I see him struggling to reach his spear... just inches away.
Now I am the one on the ground.
The bald man reaches down. He grabs me by my neck and my stolen clothes, and lifts me into the air.