Felix crept forward, biting back a string of curses as the underbrush clawed at his skin, tracing a web of shallow cuts. The thicket grew denser with every step, but the river's steady roar swelled in the distance, urging him onward.

  Each step felt like ten. His body trembled as dehydration hit him like a train-sudden, overwhelming, and impossible to ignore. His head swam with fractured thoughts as he stumbled forward, almost unconsciously.

  Then, a piercing light ruptured the thicket ahead as the trees abruptly broke away, revealing a wide, violent river. The harsh sun glared off silvery stones lining the banks, nearly blinding him.

  Felix tumbled onto the gravel, fresh cuts flaring as he clawed his way to the edge.

  He plunged his head into the water, gulping feverishly as time swirled around him.

  After what felt like a millennium, his thoughts began to solidify-only to realise he couldn't breathe. Whipping his head out of the stream, he heaved a gurgled cough, water splattering from his lungs as he gasped for air, his vision sharpening.

  A moment passed. His muscles relaxed, and he slumped backward, sinking into the cool gravel with arms spread wide. A small, pained chuckle escaped his lips, and he sighed.

  "I can't tell if I'm the luckiest or unluckiest person alive."

  He smacked his lips together, tasting the river.

  "I mean, it tastes fine-good, even."

  His body was still drenched in hot sweat, but the pounding in his head had faded.

  Groaning, he sat upright. Vertigo hit like a wave before slowly receding.

  "I'm going to get myself killed if this shit keeps happening."

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  Getting his feet under him, he slowly stood and wiped the water from his face. A sudden thought struck him-and he leapt back into the river.

  The cold wrapped around him like a balm, soothing the raw sting of sunburn blooming across his skin. The dense forest canopy had shielded him for a while, but gaps in the foliage, and that cursed clearing, had left his pale skin reddening by the second.

  Submerged up to his neck, Felix exhaled in relief.

  "Eve's going to be so jealous of my tan."

  He let out a short laugh-but the smile faded just as quickly.

  Staring up at the clear, vibrant sky, his thoughts turned to home. To his family.

  His sister, Evelyn, was a few years older-a force of nature in both love and fury. She cared deeply for Felix and their younger brother, Oliver, often putting their needs ahead of her own. But god help you if you made her angry.

  A small, nostalgic smile tugged at his lips as his thoughts drifted to school. He'd always been a scrawny kid with a knack for not keeping his mouth shut-a terrible combination. More often than not, it landed him on the receiving end of unimaginative but still stinging verbal abuse.

  That day had started like any other. But this time, Eve was within throwing distance.

  He realised this only after a conker bounced clean off the head of one of the boys-Greg, the loudest of the bunch-as she stormed over, her group of friends in tow.

  "Felix, I've told you before. If you hang around shit, you'll start to smell," she half-yelled, brushing past the younger boys like a wrecking ball in a school uniform.

  Every time they tried to speak, she shut them down with a glare or a razor-sharp comment.

  By the time she was done, they stood with heads bowed, suddenly fascinated by the ground beneath their feet. The pressure of several older kids staring them down had a terrifying effect on their confidence.

  Well and truly chastised, Evelyn sent them packing.

  Felix had just begun to thank her when she whirled around.

  Oh boy, he thought. My turn.

  She was terrifying when she needed to be-but never cruel.

  A violent shiver pulled him back to the present.

  "Holy cow, it's cold."

  With a soft, sad smile, he pulled himself out of the river. The sun's blistering heat was more manageable now, and he stood there for a moment, eyes closed and basking in its warmth.

  Then... thud.

  A heavy sound cut through the rush of the river.

  His eyes snapped open, and he spun around, scanning for the source.

  Seeing no immediate threat, he crouched down slowly, opened his inventory, and finally put on some pants.

  With one leg dressed, he lifted the other, then froze.

  A wet chorus of cracks and chewing rattled inside his skull, as if the sound was coming from both around him and within.

  Slowly, he turned to face the far side of the river.