Chapter 1: Steve
For what feels like the first time in my life, I open my eyes. Where am I? I wonder. Lying on my back, I blink and take in the leaves above me, the sun shining through creating thin beams of light dotting the forest floor. My head spinning, I bring myself to sit up and take in the scenery. I am surrounded by trees. Some oak, some birch, all unfamiliar to me. Am I dreaming? Did I… die? I question. I take a moment to evaluate the situation. I am not in any pain, and my dizziness is fading. Standing, I look down and realize I am wearing the same clothes I was moments ago, a light blue t-shirt and dark blue jeans. Half expecting to hear the disembodied voice of some god, I pinch myself. Ouch. I'm alive… and fully awake.
My mind begins racing. I have no clue how I ended up here or where here even is. I look up to the sky. Early morning… As I watch the sun rise, I steel myself for what is to come. Having awoken in the middle of nowhere, I must survive and find a way back home. What was the saying? Water, shelter, food? Or did shelter come first? Trying desperately not to let fear overtake me, I begin thinking through what I'll need to survive and how I can acquire it.
First, I should get scavenging. I begin to scour the area for anything I can use. Sticks, rocks, whatever might be useful. If I'm going to survive out here, I'm going to need a place to wait out the nights. I take what I've gathered and create a small axe. What I wouldn't do for a crafting table right about now… I think to myself. Handaxe at the ready, I chop at the nearest tree, best I can. Chop. The axe barely makes a dent. Chop. Some wood chips go flying. Chop. Bit by bit, I whack at the tree until finally, I've collected enough wood to begin crafting.
After cutting all the logs into planks, I set up a workbench and, after making some sticks, create a set of rudimentary wooden tools: A proper axe, a pickaxe, and a sword. A good start, but I'll need more than this to survive. I look up to the sky. The sun is nearing it's precipice. 5 hours… Looking around, I pack up my workbench, strap my tools to my back, and begin trekking through the forest.