Chris took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He knew he had to find the phone, but at the same time he knew it was too dangerous to stay here. The acrid smell was becoming unbearable, and Chris felt himself begin to vomit.
He headed toward the road that led away, toward the horizon. But the road was deserted, as if it had been abandoned long ago. No cars, no sign of life. Just dust.
Chris headed in the direction of his forest dwelling. He realized that he needed to leave the place. There was a strong acrid odor in the air, the source of which was an airplane. Chris needed to get home to contact his neighbor and inform him of what had happened. He walked, staggering as if he were slightly drunk.
Chris stopped and looked up at the sky. The sun was no longer visible, only colored clouds in shades of purple and orange. Soon it would be completely dark. He knew he had to find shelter, or he would just collapse right here on this road.
Suddenly he noticed something near the woods. It was an old wooden shed that looked like a stable. It was half hidden behind the trees, but still close enough for Chris to reach it.
The hangar looked abandoned, but it was better than nothing. Chris quickened his steps, trying to ignore the pain in his body. He was almost to the hangar when he heard a strange sound.
It was an incomprehensible rustle. Chris stopped and listened. The sound came from behind the trees. He froze, feeling a chill run down his spine.
"It's just the wind," he told himself, but his heart still beat faster.
Chris breathed out a sigh of relief. He still felt fear, but at least now he knew that there was no one in the forest but him.
He headed toward the hangar, feeling his strength leaving him. It was dark inside the hangar, but Chris could make out some old wooden racks and hay scattered on the floor. It was the best place he could find.
He collapsed onto the hay and closed his eyes. The pain in his body was unbearable, but Chris knew that this was only the beginning. Tomorrow he would have to move on. But right now he just wanted to rest.
"I survived," he thought, feeling fatigue come over him.
And with that thought, he drifted into sleep.
Chapter 2: The Road to the Forest Home
Chris lay on the hay, twitching and muttering. He was having a dream in which he was trying to catch up with his beloved Mary. They were running in the woods, and Mary kept trying to get away from Chris. He tried to catch her from behind a tree, but missed every time. They laughed, but Chris couldn't catch Mary's hand.