Quiet in the Home [Charlie Day 3]

The weight of the bird's carcass in my pack is both a relief and a heavy reminder of what it means to be here. Life has to be taken in order for life to be preserved. It is even more apparent here and now than it ever was, even as I had watched hogs being driven to slaughter. My full can of water is tempting, but I'm wary of it. I have heard things about the safety of water in the arena, and all of it was bad. I would need to find a way to purify it. Stupid me, I hadn't gone to the firemaking station to learn how to start a fire without aid, instead focusing on mutts and plants.

The walk through this forest is a peaceful one, mostly. Were it not for the ever-present fear of being attacked - be it by mutt or person - I might almost be able to enjoy the stroll. The air was warm but the trees provided enough shade to keep me from overheating. Had that not been the case, I surely would have given into the temptation of drinking my water long before now.

Stumbling upon the underground shelter was an added bonus, as the temperature was more comfortable here. I could now relax - seemingly being left alone by the world, at least for a time, and take stock of my circumstances.

My wounds from the day before still pained me, but my shoddy healing job had done enough to keep the worst of it at bay. I winced as I touched the gash in my leg, stitched clumsily and puckered slightly. So far, it seemed to be healing properly. A day was not a long enough time for someone like me to know if things were going wrong or not, but I hoped I wasn't missing any obvious signs of infection.

The thought of germs reminded me. I still needed to find a way to purify this water.

A pinging sound reached me from somewhere above me, faint and distant. Though it sounded like the silver parachutes used to deliver sponsored items, I knew I had to be careful should it be a trap or even another person receiving the item.

Poking my head out into the open air again, I saw the bundle sitting on the ground before me, a clear number 10 on it. For me then? Must be. I didn't think that Ollie was anywhere near, or at least not right here to claim this thing - whatever it was - so it couldn't be for her.

Unwrapping it, I found it to be a block of flint. Excited, I realized my dilemma had been answered. It was quick enough work to get a fire going with the bundle of firewood I had and some sparks from the flint and my axe. I only nearly cut myself twice trying to use the flint, an accomplishment I felt.

The amount of patience I needed in order to boil the water and then let it cool to a more reasonable temperature for drinking was astounding. The urge to forgo the purification was so strong that I nearly gave in. To occupy myself as the steaming canteen sat to the side to cool, I worked on cooking up the bird I had so recently slain. Though it was no harvest turkey, this buzzard would feed me for a time. Still, it was another thing I would have to save, at least for a bit.

Trying to distract myself from the water long enough that I wouldn't scald myself did lead to one large positive: I discovered medicinal plants. Picking them carefully, I bundled them and stored them away, knowing that I would probably need them in the future - most likely the near future.

When I finally deemed it time to drink I lifted the water jug to my lips and drank greedily. The dizzying wash of relief and thirst that overtook me made it hard to keep from swallowing too much at once and risking vomiting it all back up. I slowed down, but it took real effort.

With the last dregs of my water sliding down my throat, I knew it was time that I attempted to form some sort of camp for the night. I went back into the shelter, cozy and welcoming as it felt, and set myself up for the night. With my thirst quenched, the new bundles of plants in my bag, and the smell of cooked meat lingering on my clothes, I felt as though tonight was a good one.

Maybe this time I would be able to sleep.

[Charlie receives flint from sponsorship]
[Charlie lights a fire using flint and firewood]
[Charlie boils his water and cooks the bird meat]
[Charlie drinks his water]
[Charlie picks 3 bundles of medicinal plants]