Hayy, here is the next chapter to TDOH

This chapter does contain a killing of an animal and taking it's meat so if you don't like that! I would recomend not reading this chapter.

Anways, I hope you like this chapter and thank you to everyone who has favourtied/followed/reviewed this story

I don't own HOA

Day 4: Mourning

I walked through the dense jungle with the axe in one hand and clutching my sore side with the other. Trying not to step on any twigs which would expose my location. An almost pitch-black Leopard was venturing through the jungle just in front of me and I felt a sting of guilt and heartbreak inside my heart for what I was going to do...

After a few more minutes, the Leopard stopped in front of the river that had saved my life and lowered his head so he was only inches from the clear surface. He seemed to stare at the slow-moving stream for some time before he began to drink. Now was my chance!

I felt myself rise the axe and I drew back my arm so it was in a sort of throwing position. Shutting my eyes tight. I flung my arm forward again and felt the axe leave my grip...

A heart wrenching scream filled my ears, soon after and tears pricked the corners of my eyes. The Leopard was dead! I had killed it.

I waited a few more moments before I opened by eyes again, and when I did, I saw I had struck the Leopard dead in the shoulder. His head was still half-dunked in the water and the Leopard's blood had started to turn the water a deep crimson. I felt bad for killing the Leopard, I really did! But it was either kill the Leopard or not eat tonight and to me, I would rather end the Leopards life; no matter how bad it felt.

I made my way over to the motionless leopard and yanked its head out of the water with my free hand to prevent it from ruining the water even more. Then, I yanked the now, blood-covered axe out of the Leopard's shoulder, trying not to hurt my side in the process

I decided then that I would bury it later on. At the beach! I had spent most of the morning searching for the beach and when I had eventually found my way back, I made a map of how to find everything on my hand using some mud to make it easier to navigate. It was surprisingly good as well I had already been back to the beach twice already with different fruit like Melons and Oranges. Of course, I hadn't managed to gather that much so that is why I would need the Leopard's meat

After I had freed my axe, I carefully grazed the blade across the Leopard's stomach and, after some hesitation, placed my hand in. "I am sorry!" I murmured sadly to the Leopard, before beginning to take out its organs. It wasn't a very pleasant experience, but it was necessary.

Many hours later, I had managed to gather all the meat I would need to survive for about four days. It was then I felt really glad that I had read all these books on survival. I would never have known which parts I could eat or not.

Picking up all the good meat, I carefully placed them in the pockets of my jacket (or body warmer as I had taken the arms off it to make the bandages) while I placed the bad meat in my jeans pockets. Then, I picked up the limp of the Leopard with my one hand and began to carry it back to the beach...

X-X-X

"This Leopard is here to represent all the people who had died during the plane crash!" I began, staring down at the grave I had made for the Leopard, sand now covering the corpse.

There was more than one reason I had brought the Leopard to the beach. One reason was because it deserved a burial! I had always felt everything deserved a burial, even murderers. It shows them respect as life is a gift which you only get once.

The second reason was because the beach was a nice place to buried, with the evening sun turning the sand a brilliant gold and the sea glittering in the sunlight. But the third and most relevant reason in my mind was to pay respect to everyone who had died in the crash. If any bodies had survived when the plane had blown up, I would have buried them too, but nothing had survived, so the Leopard would have to do.

I had decorated the area around the grave with flowers, twigs and leaves whilst I had made a cross out of the metal from the remains of the plane to show that this was also for them.

I had my head slightly bowed as I said a few words. "I don't know why I was the only one to survive, or if people know it, but I know that I had survived for some reason. I don't know this reason, but I know there must be one." I could feel my throat begin to sting with sorrow, "I read in a book once that everything happens for a reason, but I don't understand why all those innocent people had to die and only me to live. It makes little sense to me, but these people were surely loved and I know they will be missed. God bless them!"

I allowed a few tears to roll down my cheeks as I closed my eyes.

I really didn't know why I was the only one to live, but one thing was certain to me. I was not going to waste the luck I have had. I felt determined to get back to civilisation. No, I knew I was going to get back! Had to get back! For those who had fallen. Those who hadn't been so lucky...

This chapter feels a little rushed to me, what do you think? Is it a bit rushed?

I hope you liked the chapter anyways

Please review