A buzzing sound and a painful headache awake me... I'm laying in a field of grass with a banged up fence around it... A playing field? I'm not even sure what that is. What anything is. What happened... Where.. where am I? Who am I? Standing up is a bit of a task. I'm sore. I feel a bit frozen, in a sense. I should access the situation. Looking around I see run down houses and a cracked street on one side of the field. A large forest area on the other. I am fully dressed. A T-shirt, over shirt, slim black jeans, undergarments, socks, runners. I seem to have a bag with me too. It has a strap, currently over my shoulder, about the size of a... canvas bag? Why is it I can remember a type of bag but not my own name, or where I am... I should look around a bit. A few hours have passed. I walked down the side of the road. To my surprise there is no other life besides me and the trees that sway in the wind, some even growing out of the road itself. I've been walking directly one way, save for turning when the road had ended, and have spotted nothing but decay and an eerie amount of loneliness. I fear I won't find someone for quite some time. It just also occurred to me I have yet to check the contents of my over bag. I sit in a spot of grass under a tree, outside of a worn and torn house. Looking through the bag yields a tall, metallic bottle. I can hear liquid inside when I move it. A pair of red tinted sun glasses that cover my eyes in full. Some grain bars that look as if they cannot go bad. Other than that, the bag is empty. Although it looks like it has a decent amount of storage space. I should continue to move. I feel as I should not be in this area... Another few hours pass and the sun has gone down. It is dark, and my eyesight limited. The wind has gone from a pleasant companion to a chilling howl. The trees sway back and forth with might from the wind. Leaves of many colors falling seemingly endlessly. If the trees did not block the wind as they are, it might knock me over. As I continue my walk I notice that the trees grown more dense in numbers, but spread farther from the road. Leaving grass and parts of houses the trees have not grown over between them and myself. The night continues on and the wind shows no sign of letting up. I'd do best to stay under shelter of these tall trees. It is cold. I can feel some of my joints slowing down due to it. Perhaps I should find a place and setup a form of camp. Maybe venture into one of the houses that isn't completely destroyed. Anything to get out of this wind. Even with the trees, it feels as it cuts to the bone. The night is a cruel mistress... I shall find a place to rest and maybe setup a fire. Primitive, but it will work. I just need warmth... A crackling sound blurts into the air. At first, I'm not only shocked but confused as to what it is. It sounds like... fire. In almost an instant the once stood mighty trees to the left of the road, blocking part of the wind, are ablaze. A fire that's seemingly trying to out match the wind for strength. I stand center of the road, yet I can feel the heat. The fire mixes with the wind blowing in all directions. It's spreading. Fast. Some of the old houses still made of partial wood are caught up in it. And more trees. The fire doesn't seem to die out, just consume the tree line. Although this does not seem like a normal occurrence, I welcome the warmth it is providing. I cannot feel an odd sense as to why this flame has come however... I will keep a reasonable pace from it but I will stay within it's warmth for as long as I can.
Credits: Darko Pendragon
The heat consuming the tree's has kept me warm for quite some time. The fire burns away the tree line. However, there is no shortage of greenery in this old looking city. I still have yet to recall much of any memories. It is confusing... I know nothing of this city nor myself. Fragments swarm in my head but mean nothing separated as they are. I still continue walking around aimlessly. Should I have an aim? I don't know. Should I try to find others? Do I want to find others? Are there even others? I know not. So, I continue on. The fire follows. The tree's don't end. The buildings become more packed together. Maybe I'm nearing the center of this abandoned city. The wind does not let up as the night nears and the day ends. In fact, its getting worse. While I would like to look around more the darkness does nothing but hinder my vision. I've entered a nearby house that seems structurally sound. The house itself is torn and broken, but the greenery suronding it makes it whole. It still feels as something is missing something... I can't think of what. The fire is bright but not bright enough to counter the seeping darkness. At least I am out of the wind. Though, it is less warm. Scraps of cloth and other materials lay around this building. I've used it to make a sound sleeping quarters for the night. While not ideal it serves for peace of mind. I was lucky enough to find some clothes that were not in too bad of shape as well. They fit. Holes here and there but worn over my normal clothes they add a layer of warmth, which I welcome for this night. Before laying down I eat some of my rations in my carrying bag. Time passes, and I enter slumber. Its not a comfortable one.
Credits: Darko Pendragon