Shadows of JiangXi

[Tomtomrawr]

His tracking devices had come to nothing. They had lost track within Miller moving two miles from the others, so he wouldn't be able to keep his own eye on them. But at least he'd have some warning if any approached. He'd set the device to beep if any of the tracking devices came close.

He tried to stare across the ravine that lay before him, but couldn't. There was no light on the other side, nothing to indicate distance. He didn't know how far it went, or even if there was another side. It may actually be a cliff.

He couldn't do it now, he finally decided. He needed food, rest and light if he was going to pass this obstacle. He moved back to the trees, moving from clear ground to vine-covered sludge in an instant. He needed a small patch of land to set up his "sea bag", which was an unmarked weatherproof sleeping bag. And leaves to camouflage the area.

He found the perfect place after five minutes. No, an even better location. They (the drunkards in Kalashnikov) had said there were still ruins of civilisation on the planet, and Miller vowed to trust them more from now on.

It was a farm house, part of its roof collapsed into the house. Apart from that, it looked stable enough to house him for the night. He trudged toward the door, and pushed it open. The hinges whined, then gave way, the door collapsing to land flat inside what remained of the house. The floorboards were rotten and what must have once been a staircase had become nothing more than a mound of rubble. The collapsed section of the roof allowed the rain water to flood in.

The first floor of the house could provide some refuge. The stairs may have collapsed but it would be easy enough to reach. Miller climbed onto the mound that was formerly a staircase and launched himself at the closest piece of the first floor. His fingers contacted the wooden floor and he began to pull himself up and onto the first floor.

Eventually, after his poor display of clambering up the wall to the first floor, he was in what remained of a bedroom. A very small bed occupied a corner, with a crib on the other. A bedroom for two children. A teddy bear sat ominously on the bed, staring at where he had climbed up from as if left as a guardian.

He set up his camp, removing various supplies from his backpack. Sea bag, cooker, water purifier and container, and a ready meal. His water purifier had been catching water all day and feverishly pumping out hopefully drinkable water. He'd have to take the chance. He filled his two canteens, drank some and poured the rest in with his ready meal. It required water before it could be cooked.

He ate in silence, fearing attracting some sort of predator. Or predators. He finished his food and hid the waste away in his bag so there was no unneeded smell. Then, after setting a few traps surrounding his position, he put his head on his pillow and began recording.

'Entry eleven. I'm just about to get some rest now. I've lain several traps and hidden myself well, which should hopefully get me through the night. Why do I have a sudden craving for sausages and baked beans?'

The traps were insurance, but he was a light sleeper when he needed to be. Anything approaching would wake him.

---

[17:45:39] Wolfs Ghost (Murphy): Tom, you have problems. Go kill yourself.
[19:25:12] Johnny (Jam): Tomtom, I will beat you with a spoon.
[14:22:56] Prarabdh Thakur: KILL HIM WITH A SHEEP.
[17:40:48] Eagle (Junes): Tom should be slapped with a spoon.
[11:32:18] Warspite: Thank you for being so awesome Tom. <3
[18:17:36] Metano: I love you tomtom
[20:06:24] Warspite: I will seriously give you epic head.

Edit: also, Tomtomrawr, fappin' like a boss.