I have spent most of my time attempting to repair what is left of Tuzin’s settlement. A few more of the shambling remains of the former inhabitants were lurking in the remote corners of the outpost, but thanks to a workbench I found in one of the buildings, I have been able to make a simple but effective weapon with a stone head and a wooden shaft. Unlike the branch I was using before, it will stave one of the creatures’ heads in with just a few blows.

My first priority has been to get the settlement cleared of hostiles and to locate food and water. The settlement is near a freshwater body of some kind, so that has not been an issue, but as yet I have been surviving on moldy rations rescued from abandoned or destroyed buildings. If I can get access to a ready supply of food, I just might survive long enough to find what has become of Tuzin.

The buildings in the settlement are quite simple, wood and adobe. I’ve been making repairs by cannibalizing a few of the more damaged buildings, but progress is slow. I dare not venture too far from the base, as I’ve seen sinister shapes lurking further out, especially at night. Whatever they are, they seem to be repelled by light, so I have kept fires and torches lit while I hunker in my base.

  • Like what you see? Purchase a print or ebook version!