Chapter Text
His legs shook with exhaustion, even as his feet pounded heavily against the forest floor. All those years of swimming and his extra large lungs were coming in handy, but now they were scalding hot. He felt like he was burning from the inside, panting heavily while his body was pushed to it's limit. He didn't know how long he'd been running, and right now he didn't have time to wonder about it. His mind felt like static and pin needles, loud and screeching at his body to keep going long passed his typical point of exhaustion. Branches snapped across his face, leaving red marks and scratches as he left them behind; thorns tore into the fabric of his clothes, the long gashes doing anything but slowing him down. He didn't know how long he'd been running, but what he did know was that he couldn't stop running. Not now, not if he wanted to live. The woods were silent and still, his presence cutting through the dead atmosphere like a garish wound. The animals had all hidden away in their burrows. They knew what was coming. They were smarter than he was.
Suddenly, the forest floor began rapidly approaching, the wind no long rushing back and passed him, but up and passed him. Foot had met stray root, and now face was about to meet ground. He landed with a thud, his body skidding and scraping before coming to an unceremonious stop. He grunted, exhaustion hitting him even as his eyes twitched from the stinging of his scrapes. Shaky arms attempted to lift him upright, only to give out underneath him. He was far too acquainted with the dirt here for his liking. His heavy breathing filled his ears, blood mixing with sweat and dirt, fatigue overpowering the fear flowing through him. Every second he stayed there was a second closer to meeting his end. A second closer to it catching him. But he couldn't move. His body had finally reached its end, fully giving out, leaving him to die.
A howl, long and sorrowful, rang between the trees, reverberating through the sky. He inhaled sharply as his body jerked with violent tremors. This was it. This was the end. The world would never again hear from Martin Kratt.
It had been several long, suspenseful minutes since the blood-curdling howl had split through the air, and he was still alive. At least, he was pretty sure he was. He opened one eye tentatively and was met with the gaze of a small creature resembling a rabbit, its nose only centimeters from his own. He gasped and bolted upright, frantically scooting backwards across the ground, still unable to stand. His expert eyes recognized it for what it was. The rabbit-like thing had opened its jaws impossibly wide, rows of razor sharp teeth snapping together where his face had just been. His hands searched the ground around him, his eyes never leaving the little predator, until finding a stick to defend himself with. It hopped once toward him and he swung at it with all he had left. It wasn't much, but it was enough to cause the, whatever it was, to stumble sideways and let out an indignant squeal before hopping off, deciding this prey was too much work for something of its diminutive size.
Martin sighed and slumped against a nearby tree trunk. A little were-bunny was a welcomed foe compared to what he and his brother had been tracking. If he was still alive, that meant it had stopped hunting him. And if it had stopped hunting him, then that meant… oh no. Chris. He struggled to stand, trying to use the tree as support. He took one trembling step before his legs gave out beneath him once more, sinking to the ground with a frustrated sigh. He wasn't going to get anywhere like this. Perking up in hope, he brought his wrist up to his face. If Chris was alive and well, maybe he could contact him through his creature pod! Those hopes were dashed against the jagged edges of the busted device. Destroyed. He grimaced at the sparks that shot up in an attempt to leave a burning kiss on his cheek. His chest constricted and he started breathing heavily again, emotions overwhelming him. How could he have left his brother like that? He was the big brother, he was supposed to protect him. He failed. And now Chris was… well. He didn't know. And that uncertainty was threatening to eat him alive.
His eyes pricked as hot tears started brimming in his waterlines. He was powerless, unable to help himself, let alone Chris. No way of knowing if Chris was alright, or even alive. Fat, slow tears began making the steep trek down his face, leaving light streaks as they carried away some of the dirt coating his skin. He grit his teeth, eyes screwed shut as he ripped the device from his wrist and chucked it violently against the tree that had been supporting him in this moment of intense weakness. This wasn't at all how this adventure was supposed to go. None of this was supposed to happen.
Somewhere nearby, a bird chirped happily from a high bough. Sniffling wetly, he looked up, his gaze scanning his surroundings properly for the first time. He was in a thinner part of the woods, not exactly a clearing, but the trees weren't as tightly packed together here. An opening in one of the rotted trunks of an old oak caught his attention. It wasn't the nicest of hotel rooms, but he needed a place to rest. If he couldn't help his brother now, then the next best thing would be to rest and help him when he had the strength to find him. He sat for a few more minutes, eyes closed and head tilted back against the rough bark. Breathing deeply, he braced himself against the tree and forced himself to his feet. He tentatively made his way to the tree with the hollow before he fell to his knees in front of it. Moving a few pieces of rotted bark before curling himself snuggly inside. It was a little small, but it would do. As he settled in, more birds began joining the first, and soon the woods were filled with the sounds of life. The peaceful sounds were like a lullaby to Martin, his eyes drooping heavily now that he was no longer in immediate danger.
"I'll come back for you, Chris. I promise I'll find you again." He sighed, finally succumbing to unconsciousness as the forest buzzed around him.