After my incredible discovery of the useful map Anura had given me, I had to stop myself from jumping right in and following the map. I had to think carefully about how I went about the rest of this journey. It was not laid out for me as I had been brought up and trained to believe. Every decision I made was made solely by me. Luckily for me, they could be approved by the map which was the only guidance I had. Even then, I needed to know what I was getting myself into.

After walking a couple hours on foot through the quieter areas if the Forest Sector, making certain that my surroundings were clear before each and every step, I finally took a break. I found a break in the forest that led to a small but viable clearing. I had not seen or heard anyone else for at least an hour. I decided that it was safe and dropped to the floor.

My feet ached. I was almost certain I had cut and scratched myself on a few branches and twigs that were jutting out in the unkept path i had been following. I remembered that I still needed to go through the contents of the duffel bag and keep a note of what I had and what I did not have.

Emptying the contents of the bag on the ground for the second time around, I had a much clearer view of what was there. I sorted through the items, re-dividing them up by category. This took a few minutes but was well worth it. By the end of it, I had established that I had a water canteen (which was filled with icy cold water - no doubt another 'secret' of Anura's), a first-aid kit - which held the general assortment of everyday accident injury supplies - and a few other items i did not recognise.

I had also discovered that I had packaged powdered meals. I had learnt about these in Unit Lessons. I remembered that I just had to add water to them to get an instantly prepared cooked meal. I had always been fascinated by the fact that the water you added to the powder could be hot or cold, the meal had some sort of element to it that always adjusted itself to be the optimum temperature for consumption. I had tasted this meal only once before and I could have sworn that it had just come freshly prepared from my mother. They were that good.

I smiled at the memory of my mother. I had enjoyed my life with her and my father. I had still had to remind myself that I was not going to go back there. I simply could not endanger them any further. M smile faded. It was one thing to rebel against them in the way that Mr. Dorin had. It was another thing to defy their entire system. I had done that and I am sure that if they found out, I would not be the only one implicated.

I shook my head. No. This was my Fate. It was my Future. I would not allow anyone else to be put in danger because of me. Reaching for the canteen, I remembered that I needed to ensure that I survived this journey. In order to do that, I needed to take care of my body and meet its needs. One of those needs was hydration. That was the first thing I needed to do. Find a water source of some kind. Since I  was in the Forest Sector, I knew that there had to be an irrigation source somewhere - how else did all these magnificent trees grow?

I took a long sip from the canteen. I relished the feeling of the cool water down my throat. I had not realised how thirsty I was until now. I had almost emptied the canteen before I realised that I needed to conserve my resources. I had no idea where I would find water again. I resealed the canteen tightly, making sure that it would not leak and placed it back in the bag.

I went through the rest of the supplies in the I had. I found a torch, a towel (which I knew expanded when wet), some rope, a few metal clips, a pair of socks, gloves and a head warmer, a pack of batteries and a pouch of Currency. What i found most odd was that in addition to the silver wrapped packaging that held my luggage in, there were three others that were exactly the same colour and texture as it, only varying in size.

My heart soared. This meant I had bigger and perhaps more useful supplies. I scanned the array of items in front of me and quickly found the remote-like device my mot- I mean Anura, had given me. Placing it next to the items, I carefully picked up one the packages and inspected its contents.

Snap.

I whipped my head up and froze. Being very still, I scanned the surrounding areas in front of me trying to find any indication of movement. Unfortunately, I was so deep into the Forest Sector, that the trees had become too dense for me to make out any distinct shapes or forms. Anyone or anything could be concealed amongst the foliage.

Snap.

Again, this time louder. I knew that sound. It was unmistakable. I had spent almost my entire day being  making certain that I did not make that sound. I could recognise it anywhere. It was the sound of a boot crushing a twig under the weight of something. My heart dropped. That was the second time I heard and it was louder. That meant that wherever the source of the sound was, it was getting closer.

I cursed myself for not keeping a consistent eye out. I should have checked my surroundings periodically. Perhaps then I would have been aware of a possible threat long before it actually became one.

I heard a rustle in the bushes to my right. Whatever was making that sound, they were certainly not trying to keep quiet. Then it dawned on me. Why would they? Anyone else walking through this Sector probably had a Glow and a real Map to follow. They would not be hiding from anyone. As if possible, my heart sank further. I had, for the second time today, frozen. Perhaps, if I had better prepared my time and resources then I would have been better prepared for this.

The rustling got louder.

"Ouch! Stupid twig! What good does it do you to scratch me?", a deep male voice exclaimed.

I would have laughed at the exclamation had I not been fearful for my life. I pressed my lips into a thin line, too scared to even breathe. I felt my heart racing in my ears, my cheeks got warmer and my chest felt heavier.

Then suddenly, I heard a loud crack and a branch from a tree nearby fell to the ground. If my assumptions were correct, then it would fall right about where the voice had originated from. As if it were in slowed motion, I watched the branch fall to the ground.

Just as it disappeared from view, a large figure leapt into the clearing screaming for dear life. I heard the branch make contact with the ground and winced at the loud crack.

I let out the breath I did not realise I was holding and looked up, only to be met by a piercing blue stare.