Episode 2

I wasn't sure how long I had been unconscious, but when I finally opened my eyes, I was still lying near that tree, and the sound of the river's running water told me I was in trouble. I would have to explain to my parents where I was so late at night, but, at that moment, my concern had dissipated, because I was convinced that they were also hiding things from us, things we had a right to know.

While still lying there, I began to hear angry howls, sounds of something genuinely scary. It could be a wild animal, and it was very close. I started to run from it when I heard distant screams, but I couldn't identify where they were coming from. Only then did I realize that the tree was the same, but the place where I was was not.

That situation left me desperate, and I wondered why I hadn't listened to my mother. However, I needed to run and find a safe place, away from that beast, which I was sure would consider me a snack.

I ran toward the forest that stretched out before me, and when my breath grew ragged, I stopped and leaned against a tree, trying to catch my breath. At the same time, I examined the area around me. Everything was dark, and only the moonlight illuminated the path I was walking on. The tops of the trees were high, but I considered climbing them as a way to keep myself safe.

I heard some groans of pain, which made me think someone was hurt nearby. Still frightened, I began to search for the source of those sounds, and to my surprise, I came across a completely naked man, sitting and leaning against the trunk of one of the trees. I approached him slowly, wondering what had happened to make him be without clothes. Even from a considerable distance, he noticed my approach.

He gave me a strange look, something threatening that scared me. However, I was somehow able to visualize the wound on his shoulder, which was bleeding profusely. My professional instinct kicked in quickly. Although he tried to get up, I managed to act faster, placing my hand on his unharmed shoulder and instructing him to remain seated.

Surprised, he stared at me in silence. I looked for something I could use to tear a part of my dress and stop the bleeding from the wound. Right next to him, I found a knife. For a moment, I hesitated, wondering if he could be an aggressor, but in the medical field, we cannot judge an injured person in that way. I took the knife and, automatically, he held my hand in a tight grip.

"I won't hurt you. I need to use the knife to cut the fabric." I pointed to my own dress, and he watched me before letting go of my hand.

I took the knife and noticed how sharp it was, besides being heavier than usual for a knife. I cut a sizable piece of fabric from the bottom of the dress, folded it over, and placed it over the wound. He cried out in pain as I pressed the fabric against the cut.

"Forgive me, but I need to stop the bleeding, otherwise, you could bleed to death."

I asked him to hold the cloth against the wound while I cut the other part of the dress. The cloth he was holding was already soaked with blood, but I noticed that the bleeding had subsided a little. With the clean cloth in hand, I held the one that was covering the wound and removed it to analyze the injury. It was a deep cut, possibly caused by the very knife that was there, and when I removed it, it caused the bleeding. He was watching my face intently.

"You're going to need stitches. You need a hospital. Do you know of any nearby where I can take you?" He looked at me as if I were speaking a foreign language and he didn't understand anything I was saying. "Do you understand what I'm saying? Do you speak my language?"

"Get away from him, unless you wish to face my wrath!" I heard a menacing voice coming from behind me.

That voice sent shivers down my spine, because somehow I knew every word was true. My back was turned and I hadn't seen anyone approach. I took the injured man's hand and placed it over the cloth dressing, while holding out both my hands to show that I posed no threat. Then I stood up and moved away from the man who was on the ground. I noticed that the other man was also completely naked, and I wondered where I was that they were walking around naked like it was perfectly normal.

"Brother, she was only helping me." The newcomer examined me from head to toe as if I were some kind of exhibit. However, his incisive gaze burned me from the inside out, awakening sensations I had never experienced before.

"What happened?" The newcomer asked.

The injured boy faced the newcomer as if they were sharing a secret, something only they understood. The taller man approached the injured man and helped him to his feet, supporting his uninjured arm on his shoulder. I took a quick scan of the injured man, and when he tried to stand, he let out a sharp cry, startling the other man, who watched him without understanding.

"His foot is hurt, probably sprained or fractured. He's not going to be able to walk with his foot like that. If you're running from someone, I suggest you find another way to carry him." He looked at me and then exchanged a look with the other man, as if they were sharing some secret information.

While I was distracted, looking around for a possible way out for myself, the second man bent down and lifted the injured man, carrying him over his shoulders as if he were a sack of potatoes. If the injured man had any internal injuries, that could be fatal for him. I wondered what strange and unknown place I had stopped in.

"You can't carry him like that, you could make his injury worse!" I almost shouted to the taller man. He looked at me with an expression that made me fall silent, then he began to walk away, while I stood there, watching.

"I believe it is best to come with us if you want to survive here, woman!" He said rudely, while he was already a few meters away. Without much choice, I tried to keep up with him.

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