Visionless

As I make my way towards the stream, I notice small animals that I have never seen before. "This being a new world seems more and more likely by the second," I mutter to myself, a mix of wonder and frustration in my voice. "Why does this have to happen to me? What the hell did I do to deserve this!?" I continue walking, my thoughts spiraling with each step.

Along the way, I curse the name of every small animal and tree that I don't recognize, to the point that some of them seem actually offended. I stop in front of one creature, pointing accusingly. "You wanna go, you mouse-looking thing, huh? Why do you have spikes... oh, you're just a hedgehog. Never mind, I apologize." I bow to the critter, feeling a bit foolish, before continuing on my way.

Eventually, I reach the stream of water, my thirst growing with each passing moment. "Now, how do I test this?" I ponder aloud. "Drinking it is suicide, but I also don't have any way of boiling and filtering it." I rack my brain, searching for a solution from my past experiences. "Right, I need to check if the water looks clear and has no smell or debris on it."

I examine the stream and find that it is indeed clean and odorless. Still skeptical, I decide to make a makeshift filter. "I should make a hole next to it and let the dirt filter some of the water. That will make it much safer." I start working on the small hole, ensuring it's deep enough and the dirt wall between the stream and the hole is thick enough to not collapse but still let water through.

Once the hole fills with water, I crouch down cautiously. "Well, here goes everything, I guess." I take a sip, relieved to find the water tastes fine. I continue drinking until my thirst is quenched. "There, that should be enough water for now. Next thing is food. I doubt I can hunt any animals, so I'll stick to nuts and berries." With renewed determination, I set off to gather what sustenance I can find in this unfamiliar wilderness.

As I walk deeper into the forest, I can't shake the feeling of unease. "This place is odd," I murmur to myself, taking in the surroundings. "There are no roads leading to it, not even dirt ones. And I haven't found the tracks of any large animals either. The smaller animals don't seem to be afraid of me at all. Weird."

Lost in thought about the peculiarity of this place, I finally come across what seems to be a small berry bush with green berries on it. Excitedly, I quicken my pace until I'm next to it and pluck one of the berries from the bush. Holding it cautiously between my fingers, I pause to consider my next move.

"Now to test this," I say aloud, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet forest. "I just rub the juices on my arm, and if after 10 or so minutes there's no reaction, I move to my lips and repeat the process. Then to my tongue. If after all that, there's no reaction, then it should be safe... right?"

With a mix of apprehension and determination, I press the berry against my skin, watching closely for any signs of a negative reaction. This may be a new world with unfamiliar rules, but caution is still my most valuable asset.

Several minutes pass, and to my relief, there's no rash or negative reaction to the berries. "I guess they are safe then," I conclude, feeling a sense of cautious optimism. I pluck one from the bush and take a bite, noting how sour it tastes.

"Safe to eat but not good in the slightest. Well, I guess it's better than nothing," I remark to myself, resigned to the less-than-ideal flavor. I gather a bunch of berries, using my shirt to hold as many as I can.

"But I should probably get some nuts as well," I think aloud, surveying the forest around me. "Now, where would I find them?" I scan the area, searching for any signs of nut-bearing trees or shrubs, determined to gather as much sustenance as possible before returning to the town.

Continuing my search for nuts in the forest, I come across a pine tree. "The pine cones can be eaten, right? Or at least what's inside of them," I ponder aloud, approaching the large tree. However, upon closer inspection, I realize that climbing it is out of the question.

"No way I can climb this. I'll just look around for any that fell to the ground," I decide, scanning the area around the base of the tree. Spotting several pinecones scattered on the forest floor, I begin to gather them, carefully picking each one up.

Once satisfied with the amount I've collected, I make my way back to the stream. Setting down my haul of nuts and berries, I proceed to clean them and myself. I rinse the nuts and berries in the cool, clear water, washing away any dirt or debris. Then, I take off my shirt and dip it in the stream, using it to wash my face and arms, feeling refreshed by the cleansing water.

After finishing my impromptu bath, I sit by the stream, enjoying the peacefulness of the forest as I eat some of the berries and nuts. Despite the uncertainty of my situation, I can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment at having found food and water in this unfamiliar environment.

Standing by the stream, I weigh my options carefully. Should I go back to the alleyway? Returning there carries the risk of encountering unknown dangers or even being robbed of the food I've gathered. But staying in the forest presents its own set of challenges. The unfamiliarity of this place, coupled with its eerie atmosphere, raises concerns about potential dangers lurking in the shadows.

"There's no easy answer," I mutter to myself, feeling torn between two uncertain paths. "Going back means facing the unknown in the town, but staying here means risking the dangers of the forest."

As I contemplate my next move, a chill runs down my spine. The forest seems to grow quieter, the air thick with an unsettling tension. Could there be something lurking in the shadows, something big enough to scare away predators and prey alike?

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for the decision ahead. Whether I choose to return to the town or stay in the forest, one thing is clear: I need to be prepared for whatever lies ahead. With a final glance around the forest, I make my choice and set off, determined to face whatever challenges come my way.

"I'm going back to the town. In there, I could hide, and it's unlikely that I'll face anything more than beggars like myself. And I doubt they would be all that interested in my nuts," I say to myself with a hint of amusement at my own joke. Chuckling softly, I shake off the tension and head back into town.

As I make my way back to the town, I notice the world getting a little darker. "Is the sun setting? How long was I in the forest for?" I quicken my pace, feeling a sense of urgency to reach the safety of the town before nightfall.

After what feels like an eternity, I finally make it back to the gate and walk through. However, as I do, the guards stop me and say something I don't understand. I look at them, confused, until one of them points to the bulge in my shirt. Realizing what they meant, I open it to show them the food I've collected. One of the guards picks up a pinecone and inspects it, then says something to the other guard. He nods, then motions for me to continue after he gives me my cone back.

Relieved, I continue on my way back to the alleyway. Sitting down, I ponder my next move. "There's still some daylight left. What should I do?" I mull over my options. "Maybe I should eat the food I have now, but I'm not too hungry. Or maybe I should make some sort of shelter for myself."

Scanning the alleyway, I spot a burlap sack lying nearby. "Perfect," I murmur to myself, grabbing it to store my food. My eyes then land on a discarded box that seems just big enough for me to fit inside. "Maybe I can use this?" I think, contemplating its potential as makeshift shelter.

With determination, I grab the box and position it against a nearby wall. Nestling myself inside, I arrange the burlap sack as a makeshift blanket for warmth. Slowly, I allow myself to relax, feeling the weariness from the day's events begin to wash over me.

As the last rays of daylight fade, I close my eyes and try to blend into the darkness of the alleyway, hoping to go unnoticed. The sounds of the city fade into the background as I drift into a restless sleep.

Somewhere in the forest a small little hedgehog dreamed.

In the tranquil depths of a moonlit forest, a hedgehog named Hedgy found himself wandering through a dreamscape of surreal beauty. The air was alive with the soft murmurs of night creatures, and the trees swayed gently in a mesmerizing rhythm beneath a blanket of stars.

As Hedgy ventured deeper into the dream, the world around him transformed into a kaleidoscope of wonder. Crystal-clear rivers flowed with liquid moonlight, and mountains soared into the sky like ancient sentinels.

But as Hedgy roamed, a gentle stirring nudged at the edges of his awareness—a beckoning call to wakefulness. Slowly, the dream began to dissolve, its vibrant hues fading into the soft light of dawn.

With a soft sigh, Hedgy opened his eyes, blinking away the remnants of the dream. As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, he found himself back in the familiar embrace of the forest.

Stretching his quills and shaking off the remnants of sleep, Hedgy felt a sense of tranquility wash over him. The surreal world of dreams slipped away, leaving behind only the peaceful serenity of the waking forest.

With a contented smile, Hedgy set off on his morning explorations, the memories of his dream lingering like the faint scent of wildflowers in the morning breeze. Though the dream may have faded, its enchantment remained, a reminder of the boundless wonders that awaited him just beyond the veil of sleep.