Chapter 6

It was well into the morning when Miria had worked up enough courage to venture outside of the protection of the cave. She quickly discovered that the cave was much cooler in comparison to the sticky and humid jungle. Studying her surrounds carefully, she identified several landmarks that would aide her in finding her way back. She also noticed that despite the almost undisturbed view from inside the cave, the entrance was almost fully concealed with vines and branches that hung from the overhanging rock. A large tree trunk had fallen from the top of the cliff which was around 4 times her height. She noted that the decaying column may serve her as a ladder of sorts, and may make for a quick escape route should she need one.

To her right was the east, and the ground sloped away steeply after a short distance. Making her way to the edge of the decline, she could hear gushing water once again, and figured that the water course running through the back of the cave must have run its emerged from the side of the mountain. Curious as to the whereabouts of this new water source, she began to trek her way towards the noise. Glancing back to the safety of her cave one last time, she fingered the small hunting knife in her belt before moving onwards cautiously.

Coming to a break in the canopy, Miria looked out at the view before her. Below was the valley in which she had originated from. The predator had brought them up to a more convenient and elevated position. She was caught up in the spectacular beauty of the view for a moment, drinking in the serenity and allowing herself a moment of relaxation. High above her the faint silhouette of one of the planets moons took her breath away. It filled a large portion of the sky, and she wondered how bright it would make the nights during a full moon.

Sighing, she moved onwards again. She knew it wasn't too far ahead of her to the water course now, but some heavy brush concealed the way. Hesitantly, she made her way further down the hillside in attempt to find a break in the thorny foliage. She didn't have to search too far when she found access. It was a small trail, probably used by creatures much smaller than her, she thought as she crawled her way through.

Miria brushed the damp soil from her knees as she emerged from the bushes. She was thankful she didn't have to crawl too far, the knees of her faded blue jeans had given out long ago, and her skin was already dotted and pink from the short crawl. But as she glanced out over the sparkling lagoon, she decided it was well worth the discomfort.

A waterfall fell from midway up a rocky cliff, and she determined that this was the same rivulet that flowed through her cave. She was so close to the safety of her secluded hideaway, and yet so far at the same time. The pools reflections where like glittering diamonds as the gap in the forest canopy allowed ample sunlight to filter though. It appeared so invitingly cool, and she longed to plunge into the crystal water. But she knew better. This planet was still very alien to her, despite her time inhabiting it. For the most part, she hadn't done much exploring; sticking to what she knew was safe.

Miria knew though that she wouldn't be able to survive that way. She needed to learn this planets secrets. Water was probably the priority on that list. And this water source seemed to be the best she had seen so far. She carefully began making her way down the rocky escarpment, being careful not to overly disturb any of the features of the landscape. She crouched beside the waters' edge, and studied the body of water carefully for a long while. Creatures chattered in the forest all around her, an indication to her that the location was somewhat safe and undisturbed by the jungles natural predators.

Miria jumped as a group of small critters emerged from the brush at the side of the pool. They bustled around the opposite shoreline, rooting around the rocks and mud with their broad snouts. They seemed unaware of her presence. Either that or they just deemed her as nonthreatening. She sat back on a rock and observed the hog like creatures. The group seemed to have two adults, with several juveniles half their size, and slightly different coloring. They were bristled coarsely over their brown striped leathery skin. Their heads were much smaller than a normal hogs head, but their snouts were broad and flat, and Miria noted the several large tusks that protruded from the elder pairs mouths. They were no bigger than a medium sized dog, and seemed quite placid in nature.

She watched as they splashed around in the shallows of the pool, and noted that the creatures did not seem wary of the pool or what its inhabitants might be. She took this as a reassuring sign, and was somewhat pleased by it. However, as the time dragged out, she began to get cramps in her thighs, and reluctantly stood up. She was expecting it, but was disappointed none the less as the little hog like animals scurried off in alarm. She sighed, and crept as close as she could to the water's edge, leaning down the wash her hands. She had not washed since arriving on the planet, her only cleansing was being caught in the rain storm. Her dark hair was matted and grotty. Her skin was several shades darker with the coating of accumulated grime. The hogs (she had decided that's what she would call them) had seemed unafraid of the pool. Perhaps it would be safe for her to bathe quickly.

She was just about to remove her stained T-shirt when she heard the boom in the distance. It had come from far across the valley, but it still frightened her. Had it been the hunter? Were there still people alive on this planet? She suddenly felt unsafe, and began hurriedly making her way back to the cave. She didn't think it was from a human. She had heard as many noisy deaths as there had been people delivered. Her gut feeling told her it came from her hunter. She scolded herself not for worrying about her own safety, but for feeling concerned about the Predator that had seemingly tried to hide her away in a safe location.

Back in her cave she had hidden, and despite that there had been no more disturbances, some hours had passed before she felt it safe to emerge. She stood now just outside the entrance of her cave, straining to listen to what may lay beyond her line of vision. She had decided that she couldn't live in her cave like a frightened mouse for ever, and she needed to determine a method that would advise her of any intruders. There was an odd tension in the air, and she turned suddenly as some winged creatures took startled flight from nearby in the forest canopy. But all else remained still and silent. The hair on the back of Mirias' neck stood on end, and she knew something was out there. Someone was out there, she corrected herself. She could feel the eyes on her as her own darted around the scenery for some clue as to what was out there. She could barely hear above the thumping of her heart in her chest, and she tried fervently to steady her breathing and concentrate. If she ran for the cover of her cave now, her hideaway would be revealed. Not to mention she would be cornered helplessly, with a mere knife her only means of a weapon. She glanced around at her other options as she reached for said knife at her side.

Perhaps she had nothing to fear. Perhaps it was the hunter returning? She pondered on that comforting thought for a moment, but quickly dashed it aside. If it was he, would he feel the need to be hiding from her? Would he be sneaking around concealing himself from her? She thought not.

A shimmer of a reflection caught her eye in the distant trees, and with lightning reflexes, she made a dash for the fallen tree truck that adjoined the top ledge above her cave. Her own agility surprised her as she climbed up the trunk with minimal effort. Once she reached the top, she paused for only a moment before sprinting off after another disturbance which had been notably closer.

She ran without knowing where to go. She merely kept a straight line through the forest, leaping over fallen branches and ducking under low limbs. Vines and leaves snagged at her clothing, and lashed at her skin. But she didn't have time to either be concerned with or allow herself to feel the stinging pain. She was beginning to tire, but the adrenalin coursing through her body was enough to keep her going at reasonable speed. Her instincts told her well before she heard the rustling and thrashing behind her that her pursuer was hot on her tail.

Her legs became heavy as she forced herself onward. Fear began to replace the adrenalin, and the urgency of escape became fogged with fatigue. She choked back a sob as her watering eyes began to cloud her vision. This was it, she thought. This is where I am going to die. She stumbled as she began to descend the slope of the mountain, and as she fell, she turned to face her attacker. She was hit hard in the sternum by a seemingly invisible object. But as the wind was knocked from her chest, she saw the hazy form of a reflection of the jungle. It was one of them…

The force of her fall and the hit from the attacker was enough to send them both into a roll down the slope. Head over heels they both tumbled, a tangled mess of limbs and branches and debris. The predators body connected sharply with a fallen log, and it wailed in pain as they landed in a heap. Miria felt the crushing weight of her attackers' body on hers when they finally skidded to a halt on a small plateau. And as the hunters cloaking device fizzled and malfunctioned, she opened her mouth to scream as the form of a Predator appeared above her. Before her voice could be heard, its large hand was clamped down over her face.