*
Kingston’s hut quickly disappeared from view as Barsch ventured further into the forest. Like the strangely healthy grove, this section of woodland seemed to have been largely spared from the killing pollution. However, no place on the planet was completely free, so Barsch used Kingston’s bandana to filter out the little that remained. With the warmth of the rising sun on his back and no immediate danger in sight, Barsch have very little reason to hurry.
In addition to this, the overwhelming feeling that he was making a mistake made each step away from Kingston’s hut a little bit harder. All this combined meant that Barsch’s journey through the forest took much longer than it should have, and by its end, he had started to develop a bad cough.
The feeling of belonging and rejuvenation had also left him by the time he made it to the forest’s edge, two hours later. In its place, the fatigue he had first accrued when leaving the Station had returned. Soon, the condition of Barsch’s body matched the state of the decrepit landscape around him, and he was forced to stop every few minutes to catch his breath.
In this manner, Barsch journeyed across the barren hills. “I was a fool,” Barsch thought, as another tremor rattled his chest. “I should have waited, I should have been more prepared…”
But despite his self-admonishments, he never lost his stride, as his stubborn pride drove him onwards.
Awakening Page 22