Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Tricks, Traps and Exploration

Regina startled awake, pulled from a dark dream by a nearby sound. The dream didn’t linger, and she felt wide-awake instantly, quickly sitting up.

The night was almost silent, except for a few scattered insects and the rustling of leaves. Her fire had burned low in the night, though it still gave off enough light that she saw her surroundings clearly. Piles of rocks, cut vines and wood sat beside her campsite. After a moment of looking around, she spotted what had woken her. From the edge of the forest, she saw a shadow creeping closer. Two eyes glowed softly in the darkness.

She grabbed two of the best rocks she’d found, which she’d put next to where she’d slept on a heap of leaves she’d gathered. Then Regina took a step to the side and carefully picked up a burning stick in her right hand, waving it from side to side for a moment.

Her potential opponent was a big cat with a black coat. It looked a bit bigger than a normal panther to her. She watched as it stalked carefully closer, its reflective eyes fixed on her. After a moment, another blue box popped up on the edge of her vision, where it didn’t obstruct her view.

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