The Mating Run by Leeka

Hunger

Each day seems to blend into the next, an endless expanse of time devoid of
purpose.

Berries, firewood, water.

I drag myself through the motions, my body feeling heavy and sluggish. The
sound of my footstops is creepy, reminding me that I am all by myself in this
empty. cave. The air is heavy with unspokon sadness, sticking to me like a thick
blanket.

I don't even know why I feal unmotivated; there's no rational explanation for the
sadness that consumes mo when the Hider passes away. The fact that I barely
know her adds an element of confusion to the situation.

At this moment, everything feels futile, as if all hope has evaporated.

No matter how much I cry and scream, there's a lingering fear inside of me that
everything will come crashing down, just like it did with her. I can't shake the
thought that someday there will be an empty hole in my skull, and someone else
will have to bury me. Throughout the entire time, the cameras will keep rolling,
capturing our every move, as if we're characters in a film.

“Berries again.”

feeble

With a lack of enthusiasm, I mutter the words, barely audible. They are
replacement for the nourishment I long for not for my physical self, but for the
depths of my weary soul burdened with grief.

The feeble warmth of the cra ckling fire in the corner offers a glimmer of comfort
but can't quite chase away the cold that has settled within me. As I stare into the
flames, I am captivated by the flickering shadows that gracefully dance across
the cave walls. The flickering chaos offers a sense of comfort, a welcome
distraction from the monotonous routine that consumes me.

Outside, the world continues its relentless march, the sounds of birds chirping
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Hunger

and leaves rustling in the wind. As the wind dances through the trees, I can’t help
but feel a pang of jealousy for the freedom it possesses. I long for dreams, but
my solitude keeps me firmly grounded in the harsh truth.

I have to admit that it's my fault from the start. I should have taken Ettie’s words.
to heart — she is right about this being trouble. Regret floods over me as I realize
the true gravity of this Mating Run, and I wish I had never registered.

With each drop of water entering the makeshift container, the echoing sound
resonates from the nearby stream. The same sound over and over again, just like
my dull life. Each raindrop echoes the emptiness in my heart, a constant
reminder of the life I have lost.

“Why am I even wasting my time on this?"

I mutter, the words slipping out of my mouth like a soft exhale. The air is charged
with the weight of the unspoken truth. Why bother when every breath is filled with
the bitter taste of despair? Why bother when my voice echoes off the cave walls,
disappearing into silence?

As night falls, the cave plunges into complete darkness. The feeble glow of the
fire flickers, offering only a dim source of solace. Despite my desperate need for
sleep, it evades me, leaving me trapped in the never-ending nightmare of
wakefulness. The walls close in further, their presence pressing down on me,
suffocating my weary soul.

The world beyond the cave appears like a fading memory, a realm exclusively
meant for the living. I find myself suspended in a void, a lone silhouette caught
between the haunting echoes of the past and the enigmatic uncertainty of the
future.

1 long for an end to the monotonous routine, to the suffocating numbness that
wraps around me like a shroud.

Within the cave, every day is a grueling fight, a desperate attempt to discover
significance in the pointlessness. As the fire dwindles to a mere ember, I feel its
fading light mirror my own diminishing spirit.

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Hunger

fed.

Wed, 6 Mar

Eventually, a hunger grows inside me, like a relentless beast demanding to be

I glance at the empty spot next to me, where a meager stash of berries had once
sat, now reduced to a hollow reminder of my depleting provisions. I let out a sigh,
a soft acknowledgment of my surrender to an insatiable hunger.

To my dismay, the water source has also proven untrustworthy. The stream, once
a gentle flow, now trickles feebly, transforming the once-abundant waterway into
a desolate expanse of parched stones. I stand at the edge, my fingers tracing the
smooth surface of the empty water bottle, a tangible reminder of my desperation.
Grudgingly, I come to terms with the inescapable reality.

With a heavy heart, I step out of the cave and into the vast unknown, driven by
the need to find nourishment. As I feel the knot tighten in my stomach, I can't
help but notice the parallel between my apprehension, desperation, and the
hunger that

consumes me.

Stepping outside, I am met with the scorching sun, its unforgiving rays searing
into my tired body. Clenching my fists, I can feel the fear dissipating as
determination takes its place.

The trees tower above, their branches stretching out like bony fingers, casting an
eerie shadow over the desolate realm. My eyes quickly scan the surroundings,
hoping to find any indication of something to eat. The forest, however, holds its
secrets close, its dense foliage concealing any signs of life from the desperate
wanderer.

In the quiet woods, the rumbling of my stomach creates a primal sound that
seems to reverberate.

With each passing moment, the hunger grows stronger, an insatiable force that
craves appeasement. My search persists, my footsteps echoing with a sense of
urgency as the emptiness inside me threatens to consume.

The realization crashes into me like a s ucker punch-I suddenly feel the weight
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Hunger

of my aloneness, vulnerability, and the apathy of the world around me. The
frustration within me grows as I mutter curses under my breath, the sounds of the
forest failing to offer any solace. I fear that any moment now, a Hunter will come
charging towards me, wielding an ax with murderous intent.

As I venture into the forest, I feel its embrace, the verdant foliage and flickering
shadows captivating my senses.

Leaning against the rough bark of a tree, I become one with the surroundings,
my presence hidden like a ghost among the foliage. The hunger within me has
become an insatiable beast, driving me to uncover the mysteries that lay hidden
in the heart of the wilderness.

With each careful step, I make my way through the maze of trees and tangled
vegetation, my senses on high alert for any rustle or whisper carried by the wind.
Life pulses through the forest, its mysteries veiled beneath a canopy of leaves
and interwoven branches. With each step taken deliberately, searching for food
in the gentle rays of dappled sunlight.

The tension in the air is palpable, my heartbeat matching the uncertain rhythm
like a drum.

I come to a sudden stop at the edge of a clearing, my eyes widening in awe at
what lies in front of me.

Nestled in the heart of the wilderness, a pristine lake reflects the cerulean sky
above. The realization crashes over me like a wave, flooding my senses with
excitement I can practically smell the fish in the air!

I can't tear my eyes away from the shimmering surface, where mysterious
shadows dance, revealing glimpses of the hidden aquatic world. The hunger
within me roars louder, overpowering the gentle rustling of leaves and the faint
calls of unseen creatures.

I can practically taste the delicious fish as I set out to catch them.

My resolve grows stronger as desperation courses through me, searching the
surroundings for anything that could serve as a makeshift fishing tool.

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Hunger

My gaze is drawn to a fallen branch, its end jagged and splintered, lying on the
ground. Seizing it, I feel the rough bark beneath my fingers, and a renewed flame
of hope surges within me. Clutching a pointed stick, I feel a surge of
determination to fight the hunger that has consumed me.

1 go to the lake, mindful of every step so as not to disrupt the peaceful ambiance.
I take the precaution of rolling up my track pants and hoodie sleeves to keep
them from getting wet. Crouched at the water’s edge, my hands tremble as I grip
the makeshift fishing spear, its rough surface rubbing against my palms.

The fish are like shadows, darting around and making fun of me for not catching
them.

“Come on, just a little closer...” I mumble, barely heard over the forest noise. I
am so hungry that my focus gets razor-sharp, and I can sense every movement
below the surface. I make a quick motion with the spear, hoping to catch
something to eat.

I can't catch the fish, it's like they're disappearing in the water.

I am so frustrated, I think I might explode. I try again and again, each time more
intense. I feel this intense hunger that drives me to the edge. The stick is like a
joke, mocking my feeble efforts.

Time just keeps dragging on, full of ups and downs.

The sun goes down and makes long shadows on the lake. My stomach is making
all sorts of noise because I am starving. Collapsing at the water's edge, I feel the
gritty sand beneath me and watch as the pointed stick slips from my grasp.
Exhausted and filled with despair, tears well in my eyes.

I am thinking if this is the end — a slow surrender to the wilderness that has
become my prison.

And then, the quiet is interrupted by the start of a ticking noise.

The metallic cadence pierces the heavy silence, causing me to stop suddenly.
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Hunger

I strain to discern the source of the familiar sound, my ears pri cking up with
anticipation. The sound of ticking echoes in my mind, bringing back memories
from the depths of my consciousness.

Then I spot it, a small robot hidden under a shrub, its blinking lights catching my
attention.

A spark of hope ignites within me, a flame that bravely pushes back against the
encroaching darkness.

Without a second thought, I race towards the robot, feeling the strain in my chest
as I propel myself forward. As the screen on the robot's surface flickers, I can't
help but notice my name flashing in bold letters.

Alina.

This time, there is no letter waiting for me.

Instead, the screen blinks with a stark prompt: “Enter your tracksuit number,”
accompanied by a loud beep.

With unwavering resolve, I type Number 9, my fingers dancing across the
keyboard as a tempest brews inside.

As if unlocking a secret code, the robot starts to open, revealing its intricate
metallic joints unfolding with precision. As I stand in the forest, the palpable
suspense creates a moment suspended between revelation and uncertainty.

It is clear that the gift comes from a sponsor, but I am clueless about their
identity. Nevertheless, a nagging voice in my head suggests that the robot's
origin is tied to the sponsor who provided me with the knife. As I look around, my
eyes search for any sign of a camera tucked away in the trees. Spotting a
camera pointed directly at me, I instinctively place a hand over my heart and
silently mouth my gratitude.

With every passing second, the robot's hidden contents become more apparent.
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Hunger

My breath catches in my throat, and a gasp slips from my lips, surprising even
myself. As the metallic lid parts, a blinding burst of light spills forth, instantly
illuminating the forest and creating a mesmerizing play of shadows on the
ground.

My veins pulse with adrenaline as I lock eyes on what lies before me. With
nothing else on my mind, I can only feel my heart beating as I delicately trace the
lines on it, my eyes widening and a smile curving my lips.

Inside the robot, there is a map.

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