Chapter 8
Survival
Wolf stood on an open field, staring out to the distance. He felt happy and basked under the hot sun. He heard the familiar sound of Adolpha calling to him. Wolf turns to her and sees her smiling as she holds their child. Wolf began to walk to them. Something then felt weird. Wolf could not reach them.
Wolf hears screaming coming from behind him. He turns and sees a campsite burning. Wolf turned to Adolpha, who was now crying. Their child is covered in blood. Wolf tries to run towards them but can't. He began to have trouble breathing.
Wolf covers his mouth and tries to calm down. The sound of an explosion makes him remember. Wolf snaps out of his dream state and opens his eyes. He was sinking to the bottom of the ocean. He holds on to what little oxygen he has and swims up. Wolf makes it to the surface and takes a deep breath.
He looks around and sees the chaos that is ensuing. More ships have appeared and started to fire back at the mainland. Wolf could see fireballs being thrown at the ships. Volleys of arrows were counteracting the fireballs. Some fireballs missed and landed near him.
The waves made it hard for him to stay above water. He was worried and began to look around. He could not see Adolpha anywhere. He then notices pieces of the boat they were on scattered all over the water surface. Wolf panics and swims to large parts of the boat. He looks under the water to see if he sees her.
He was becoming desperate, and thoughts of her began to fill his head. He was scared and angry. He feels like he has failed to protect her. The sound of explosion and creature yelling fill the air. Wolf then picks up a faint sound.
He looks around and concentrates. Adolpha was howling in desperation. Wolf then looks over in the direction of a ship that passes by. Adolpha was on the other side of the ship on a piece of the boat. She yells for Wolf and howls.
Adolpha was crying and felt scared. Wolf began to howl to get her attention. Adolpha's ear picks up the howling in all that other noise. She looks around and sees Wolf swimming toward her. She became happy but was still scared.
Wolf was having trouble swimming to her. The passing ships made it much more difficult. Wolf was also tired from lack of sleep. The creatures on the ships ignored them and kept going to the mainland. The human soldiers were desperately trying to sink the ships.
Wolf manages to swim to her. He asked her if she was okay. Adolpha nods her head. Wolf looks around and tries to find a way to get out of there. The waves were ruff, and fireballs hit near them. Wolf tells Adolpha to hang on.
He began to swim and push the piece of the boat away from the ships. He has little strength, so it was hard. Wolf notices that some ships stopped, and the creature jumped off. They swam to shore, where the human army began to advance.
A fight between the human and the creature began. Wolf ignores it and continues to swim. Another ship comes out from the fog and passes by them. The waves push Wolf back. Wolf shakes the water from his head. He then noticed that a fireball was heading their way.
Wolf didn't have much time. He grabs Adolpha and pulls her off the piece of the boat. She falls into the water, and Wolf holds her. He covers her as the fireball hits the part of the boat. It explodes next to them. A shock wave and derby hit Wolf's back.
Wolf loses strength and let's go of Adolpha. He was losing conciseness. He began to sink again into the ocean. He could see Adolpha struggling to stay afloat. Adolpha could not swim, so she began to drown. Adolpha was scared. She called for help. No one was answering.
Wolf tried to reach for her but ended up passing out. The next thing he knew was that he felt somewhat warm. Wolf could hear the sound of the ocean. The waves are coming in, and the cold air hits his face. Wolf opened his eyes.
The sky was dark, and the moon only lit up part of the ocean. He tried to move but felt heavy. He looks down at his feet. Wolf was lying down coved with sand. He puts some effort into getting up, and he does. Wolf then quickly realizes that Adolpha was not there.
He becomes worried, but then he hears something. He turns slightly and sees someone picking things from the wreckage of their boat. Wolf realizes when the light of the moon shines on her. Her beautiful hair blows in the wind.
Wolf calls out to her. Adolpha turns and sees that he has woken up. She gets excited and runs to him. Adolpha jumps and hugs him. Wolf and Adolpha hug for a while. After getting their emotions squared away, Wolf wondered what had happened.
He asks Adolpha if she knows what has happened. Adolpha told him that she had also just woken up on the beach. Wolf looked around and saw what looked like a jungle behind them. Adolpha goes back to look for valuable things washing ashore.
Wolf sees the pieces of the boat they were on. He helps Adolpha search for valuable things. They manage to find some food and other supplies. Wolf walks with Adolpha to a pile of supplies she has already found.
Wolf stares into the jungle and asks Adolpha if she has gone in. Adolpha told him it was scary for her, so she was waiting and hoping he would wake up. Wolf looks out to sea and thinks. He then looks at the supplies they have. Wolf sees that the knife he got from the head maid was there.
Wolf told Adolpha that they would sleep and look around in the morning. He saw that Adolpha was hungry. He gave some of the edible food to Adolpha to eat. Wolf then went over to some trees and cut the leaves. He spread them for Adolpha to lay on. He also looked for some branches.
Wolf made a small campfire. Adolpha was amazed at how quickly he adapted to the situation. Adolpha ate and laid down. She was warmed up by the fire and getting tired. Wolf looked up at the sky. Adolpha noticed, but she fell asleep.
Wolf stared at Adolpha, who had fallen asleep. He looks at the jungle again and senses some danger. He grabs the knife and holds it tight. He slowly falls asleep too. The following morning Adolpha woke up.
She looks and sees Wolf working on something. She gets up and goes over to him. She saw him making weapons. Wolf notices her and tells her what they are going to do. Wolf had a thought about where they might be. They were going to walk and check by the shore.
Adolpha wanted to know what Wolf was thinking. Wolf told her that they might be on an island. Adolpha asked why he felt that. Wolf mentions looking at the stars. Adolpha was confused about what he meant.
Wolf has made a spear and ax. He also has the knife with him. Adolpha asked him how he knew how to make them. Wolf told her that he was taught by someone when he was younger. Adolpha saw Wolf make a strange face, so she didn't ask anymore.
Once Wolf is done, he goes over to the supplies. He told Adolpha to carry only what they needed now. They will hide the rest. Wolf makes a bag out of some cloth that they had. He puts food and some small items. He told Adolpha to stay close to him.
Wolf saw the direction of the sun and began to walk. Adolpha followed him, staying close to him. It looked like the place they were in came to life. Animal and insects began to be heard. Adolpha got scared. Wolf was looking around and sensing all around him.
They walked for some time, and the shore began to cure. Wolf notices palm trees and coconut trees. They walked some more, and it looked like they were on the other side of what Wolf suspected. They were on an island.
Wolf looks to the distance and sees a large rock. He probably didn't see it earlier because they were close to the trees, and they blocked his site. It has become afternoon, and they stopped to rest. Wolf cut down some coconuts.
Adolpha began to question Wolf. She hardly knew anything about him. She wondered where he was born. Wolf gave Adolpha some coconut milk. She drank it, and it satisfied her. Wolf told her that they would go into the jungle. He gave Adolpha the knife and told her to use it to protect herself. Adolpha was scared and worried. She took it and put it in her made bag. Once they were ready, they began to head inland. The trees covered the sky, and some light was visible. Adolpha could feel the bugs crawling near her.
Wolf cut some branches and bushes that were in the way. They continue their walk until they reach a clearing. Wolf was looking around the whole way. They were surprised because the jungle had turned into a forest. Adolpha was looking at Wolf.
He seemed to notice something about the forest. They continued to walk, and Wolf went and picked up some plants. They then reach a river. The water was clear, and Wolf reached out to feel it. The water was also cold. Adolpha didn't know what it meant.
Wolf crouched and gathered some water in his hand. He drinks it and tells Adolpha that it is safe. Adolpha looked happy. She crouched and put her head into the river. Wolf noticed that she was hot and thirsty. Wolf then thought about the island.
Once Adolpha was rested and ready, they headed down river. Adolpha didn't ask anything and just followed. They walked for a few more minutes and reached a meadow. The meadow leads to a lake. Adolpha looked amazed to see such a site.
Wolf and Adolpha walked to the lake. The lake was clear, and fish were swimming in it. Wolf also notices bunnies running around. Wolf saw more flowers and picked them up. He tells Adolpha that they were heading back to where they washed ashore.
Adolpha didn't want to because she liked the place they were at. Wolf was not sure if it was safe. He wants to explore the island more before they find a place to settle. Adolpha notices that Wolf feels uncomfortable. She agrees to go.
Wolf and Adolpha walk back up and cross the river. They walk past the forest and back into a jungle. Wolf was seen cutting vines from trees. After they reached the outside, they were near where they hid their other supplies. Adolpha runs to the hiding stop and sits.
Wolf told Adolpha that he would explore while she should wait. He was not sure of the dangers that lay on the island. Adolpha wanted to go with him, but Wolf told her it was for her safety. She gets depressed. Wolf tells her that he will teach her something so she can pass the time.
Adolpha felt somewhat happy after hearing that. Wolf handed her his bag that contained plants. Wolf left back into the jungle and came out with some branches after several minutes. He then tells Adolpha to collect some leaves that were on the ground.
Wolf began to place the branches on the ground. He tied some together, and Adolpha came back with the leaves. Wolf took them and put them on top of the branches. Wolf has created a small shelter for them. This took several hours and became evening.
Wolf made a fire and cooked more of the supplies they had. They ate, and Adolpha still noticed that Wolf was not comfortable. He was bothered by his back. Wolf calls Adolpha to come close. He takes a smooth rock and places it in front of her.
Wolf tells Adolpha to show him the plants. He takes them and spreads them on the ground. He begins to tell Adolpha about the plant and its purposes. Wolf takes to plants and crushes them. He made some kind of paste. Wolf takes off his torn shirt.
Adolpha gets embarrassed about seeing Wolf's body. Wolf asks Adolpha if she could put the paste on his back. Adolpha agrees and takes the paste. Adolpha then sees that Wolf has wounds on his back. Adolpha remembers when he protected her.
She notices again all the scars he had. Adolpha asks Wolf how he knew about the plants. Wolf told her that he learned from someone. Again, he mentions that he learned from someone but didn't tell who. Adolpha sees that look again.
Wolf cuts his torn shirt and makes it into a band-aid. He has Adolpha help him wrap his injuries. Once they are done, Wolf tells Adolpha to learn what the plants do. It got late, and Adolpha got into the shelter. Wolf stayed outside and guarded her.
Adolpha fell asleep, and Wolf looked at the sky again. He was looking at the stars. He remembered a conversation with someone. When he was younger, Wolf was with some other kids his age. They were learning about the plants.
Wolf gets yelled at because he is not paying attention. The person tells him that learning about medicine will help him survive when he gets injured or sick. Wolf answers him with a yes. Wolf comes back from his memory and looks at the fire.
The following morning when they woke up, they both ate breakfast. Wolf told Adolpha to make powers out of some plants. He showed her how to make a pouch to keep them. Wolf got ready to explore.
Wolf told Adolpha to stay out of the jungle. He also said to her that she could go in if she needed. Adolpha didn't know what he meant by that. Wolf told her that if a ship showed up, she should hide. If they saw her, he would be able to help.
She should go inland, and he would be able to reach her before they do. He would know if the ship people would be friendly. Adolpha nods to what Wolf told her. Wolf drops some coconuts. He shows her how to open them. Adolpha said she was okay.
Wolf was worried but began to walk up the shore. He wanted to get to the rock mountain. Adolpha sat and looked at the plants. She sniffed them. They had horrible aromas. After a while, she gets bored. She goes into the shelter and sleeps.
Wolf has been walking for some time. He reached the rock mountain. Wolf looks around. He sees that the rock mountain comes out of the ocean. He sees that it can be scaled. He begins to climb it. After some time, he reached the top. It was flat. Wolf could see the whole island.
He saw where they were and the inside on the inland. He sees where the jungle and forest change. He sees the lake and the path of the river. Wolf looks down and sees where the water for the river is coming from. He sees more plants he knows about.
Wolf climbs down to pick the flowers. He also wanted to see the waterfall. Wolf gathers what he needs and also checks the waterfall. Wolf senses danger and defends himself. He waits, but nothing happens. Wolf sees more trees that are not meant to grow together.
It was a little over past noon. Wolf, after gathering supplies, went back to where Adolpha was. Adolpha was playing by the water. She saw seashells and started to collect them. After some time, she was by the shelter.
She senses something and gets up. She hides in the shelter and pulls out the knife. She heard footsteps but then realized the smell. She comes out and sees Wolf walking toward her. She gets excited. Wolf sees her smiling and asks about it.
Adolpha shows him her collection of seashells. Wolf was impressed by what she had collected. He then shows her what he found. Wolf gives her some fruit. He also gives her some fresh water to drink. Adolpha asks where he found it.
Wolf told her about his exploration. She was happy to hear everything. Wolf asks her if she has seen anything out in the ocean. Adolpha asks what he meant. He asks if she has seen any boats or ships. Adolpha said no.
Wolf gets a little serious and tells her about the island. He tells her someone made that island. Adolpha didn't understand. Wolf told her about the trees and plants. He also told her about the animals and insects. Adolpha asked why he thought that.
Wolf told her that he knew about some territories he used to live in. He knew about the types of animals and plants that grew there. Adolpha was still confused about what he meant. Wolf explains to her about the trees.
The forests and jungles were much different don't grow next to each other. He also explains that some plants they picked up only grow in certain parts of the world. Adolpha did know what to say. Wolf then asked her what she wanted to do.
"What do you mean by that"?
Wolf looks at her. He explains their situation. They are stuck on the island by themselves. He didn't see anyone else or a way off. He gave Adolpha three opinions on what to do. The first was to wait for a ship and signal for help. The second was to make a boat or raft and leave that way. Adolpha thought about it. She then asks him about the last choice.
"Opinion three is to live here on the island by ourselves. We raise our child here".
Adolpha didn't know what to say. She told Wolf that she needed time to think about it. Wolf understood and let her think. He took some sticks he had and went to work on something. Adolpha went to the shelter and thought about what to do.
It was late, and the sun had set. Wolf was cooking some fish he had caught. Adolpha was looking at her seashells. After she was served her food, Wolf sat near her. Adolpha looks at Wolf and tells him she has made up her mind.
"I have been forcefully taken from my family. After years of loneliness and scared that I would never see them again, you showed up. For that, I am thankful. Wolf, I have made up my mind and want to leave this island to see them again".
Wolf closes his eyes and tells her he will do what he can. They will go with both the first and second plans. Adolpha asked what he meant by it. Wolf said to her that he would try to build a raft in case a ship passed by. They should try to get help. Adolpha agrees with what Wolf said. She then eats. Wolf looks out to the ocean.
"When we get home, and I see my family…. I have to introduce the father of my child to them".
Wolf chokes on his food. He looks at Adolpha with a surprised look. Adolpha laughs at Wolf, who then smiles at her. Wolf tells Adolpha they must survive on the island until he finishes the raft. He has never built one, so it will take time.
Adolpha agrees with what Wolf said. Wolf also told her that he would teach her more things. Adolpha becomes excited. They finish eating and head to bed. Adolpha was in the shelter but was now uncomfortable. Wolf asked her what she meant by that. She asked him if he could make it bigger.
Wolf asked her why. She said she wanted him to be beside her when they slept. Wolf gets embarrassed, and Adolpha blushes. He tells her that he will do it at some point. Adolpha smiles. They went to sleep.
The following day after they ate breakfast, Wolf took Adolpha into the jungle. He showed Adolpha some trees and plants. He showed Adolpha how to look for edible plants and mushrooms. Wolf also told her about some vines of trees.
They then head over to the forest area. Wolf shows Adolpha how to look for wild vegetables. Adolpha was trying hard to pay attention. She would get distracted after some time. Wolf saw this and told her that they were going to the meadow.
Wolf told Adolpha that she could shower in the lake but be close to the river. Adolpha became happy and went to do just that. Wolf said to her that he was going hunting. Adolpha's clothes were dirty and torn. She undresses and splashes water.
Wolf left and hunted for rabbits in the meadow. He made a bow the previous day. Wolf quietly sneaked and aimed his bow. He released the arrow and hit his target. He hunted several more rabbits and collected their bodies.
Adolpha was finished and drying under the sun. Wolf showed up and saw her. Her skin was a beautiful white, and her hair glowed. Adolpha's ears picked up noise, and she looked over. She saw Wolf stare at her.
Adolpha gets embarrassed and tries to hide her body. Wolf turns around and lets her dress. Adolpha has washed her clothes and was letting them dry also. She only had underwear on as Adolpha dresses, Wolf peaks and sees her again. He saw her stomach was getting bigger. Wolf smiles and turns away.
They returned to their home and began saving what they had gathered. Wolf took the head maid's knife and began cutting the rabbits. He skinned and cut the meat. The fur was cleaned and put away for later. Wolf also taught Adolpha how to do that.
They ate and talked about the day. Wolf kept teaching Adolpha about how to survive. It went on like this for several days. Wolf made their home bigger, and Adolpha was still learning. Adolpha had a needle and thread from the head maid Silvia.
She practices how to piece together the cloth that made it with them. Wolf began to work on building a raft. When they needed more food, Adolpha went with Wolf because she still needed more plant knowledge. Wolf hunted more rabbits and birds.
Adolpha took the opportunity to bathe. Wolf also took a shower and spent some time with her. Adolpha noticed that Wolf was expressing himself more. They finish bathing and dry in the sun. Once they returned home, Adolpha cooked.
Wolf worked on the raft. He tied pieces of wood together. Once in a while, he would test it, but it ended up getting destroyed. The waves were too ruff for it. Wolf washed ashore and made his way to Adolpha.
She was laughing at him. She then tells him that she was happy that he was trying so hard. Wolf sat by the fire and waited for the food to be ready. Adolpha made sure she didn't burn it like she used to. They ate together and talked.
Adolpha was looking at the pieces of sticks Wolf used for the raft. Wolf told her that the waves quickly made the knots loose. The wood then slipped up. Adolpha then talked about boats that her tribe used.
"One time, my father took me and my brother fishing. We went to where the boats were. My father told me that they use a tree and carve the inside until they shape it into a boat".
She asks if Wolf could make it that way. Wolf told her he had seen them before but didn't know what kind of tools they used. He told her his tribe would borrow boats from other groups when he was younger.
Adolpha became surprised when Wolf mentioned that he was in a tribe. Wolf realizes it and quiets down. Adolpha asks him about his tribe. Wolf became upset and didn't want to talk about it. Adolpha sits quietly and eats. Wolf apologizes to her.
They finished eating and headed to bed. Wolf told her that he needed time by himself. Adolpha agreed, and when in the home alone. Wolf spent the night thinking and looking at the stars. He walked and collected more sticks.
It was late, and Wolf went back home. He looked inside the home and saw Adolpha sleeping. He felt terrible for what happened. He stayed outside for a bit longer. He sees the ever-growing collection of seashells Adolpha has gotten. He laughs.
Wolf notices a seashell that Adolpha threw away. He grabs it and looks at it. He grabs a rabbit bone he sharpens, and opens the seashell. There was a pearl in it. Wolf smiles and laughs about it. He then realizes that Adolpha probably didn't know about them.
This gives Wolf an idea. He laughs and hides the pearl. Wolf goes into the home and goes to sleep. The following morning Adolpha still felt terrible about what happened that night. Wolf woke up and went outside. He sees Adolpha and notices that she is sad.
Wolf goes up to her and apologizes again. He tells her that he was wrong about what happened. Adolpha felt a bit happier. Wolf smiled at her and said he would check something on the island. Adolpha saw that he was cheerful, so she let him.
Wolf packs and hugs Adolpha. He tells her to be careful and howl if anything happens. Adolpha nobs and sees Wolf leave. Wolf pulls out the pearl and smiles.