Finally, I reach the edge of this forest. Perhaps there’ll be a road nearby where I can flag someone down and hitch a ride to the nearest town. Looking about, emerging from the forest, I’m presented with a beautiful view of a small lake about 50 yards ahead. A portion of the lake seems to be hidden to my left... like it takes a jog in that direction. Walking to the shoreline, what I can see of the lake is also totally tree lined. It's very odd that there are no homes along the lakefront, piers, and boats of any kind, or any direction signs. Guess I'll follow the shoreline to the left where the lake seems to be hidden.
Walking along, I bend down to pick up a stick on the waterfront. Using it as some sort of cane, I’ll carry it along just for company, I guess. Looking in the water, I notice quite a few small fish swimming at the edge, probably hoping a fly or mosquito will land on the water providing an easy meal. Many different types of dragonflies are dashing about, some are quite large and others are so tiny that they would fit on your thumbnail. All of them are arrayed in beautiful colors... their wings have different patterns of color and configurations. I'm sure the fish here have had their share of the smaller dragonflies. Walking along, every few minutes or so, a fish jumps out of the water and enters with a splash... each time it does it startles me... I guess I'm somewhat edgy. Again, the water is amazingly clear. I can readily see bottom for a number of yards out from the shoreline. It strikes me as strange that there are no bottles, beer cans, tires, or other junk in the water. I've never been to any lake that didn't have those items thoughtlessly tossed in the water. Come to think of it, there are no beer cans, broken glass, paper wrappers on the shore or any trace of human activity. This is getting scary! Where in the world did the bad guys dump me anyway? Looking across to the other side of the lake are scores of waterfowl swimming, diving for fish, and landing in or taking off from the lake. They're too far away to identify their breed... wish I had a pair of binoculars!
Still walking on the shoreline, I'm approaching the bend where the lake was first hidden from my view. The rest of the lake can now be seen as it wraps around to the right in the distance to again meet where I first noticed it. The hidden part of the lake has revealed nothing either in the way of traces of civilization. I'm also very disappointed to find that there are no roads leading up to the lake. I haven't yet checked out every inch of the lakefront, but I should’ve seen some evidence of a road by now.
Something catches my eye… temporarily leaving the path of the shoreline, I proceed to walk to the edge of the forest and find plenty of bushes that appear to have some sort of berry on them. Again, I’m perplexed that I can't identify the type of berry. They are a rather bright yellow and have many facets... similar to a raspberry... but this isn't a raspberry. Again, showing caution as before, I think I’ll pluck a berry off and take a small bite. Hmm... seems to taste fine, so I pick a handful and take a seat on the ground at the forests edge. Facing the lake, I contemplate a bit while eating the berries.
I've come to the realization that nothing in this place... not one living thing I've seen so far since waking after the storm can I identify with certainty. Hmmm… curious.
Even though the vegetables, nuts and berries were tasty, I'd like some meat. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to hunt or fish. Besides, I don't have a gun or fishing gear, I tell myself (sounds like a good excuse anyway!), so I keep on walking around the shoreline. Another half hour or so of walking... I'm getting ticked off about this situation I’ve found myself in. I'm thinking of different scenarios that could explain my arrival in this place. I'm still leaning toward the theory that I was assaulted in the lab and dumped here. What other explanation could there be? I get so angry about this line of thought that I scream out at the top of my lungs. Ok ... This isn't funny. I know you're out there watching me! I apologize for stealing equipment time! I give up... I'm sorry, now come and get me out of here! With that outburst, dozens of birds that were about 100 yards up the shoreline noisily take off out of the water. They circle part of the lake and within less than a minute are carrying on again, business as usual.