I WALK WITH OMEGA Part 3

14
I waken this morning, toes and fingers numb, emptiness in my stomach and congestion in my chest. My neck is tight and back sore. Outside my makeshift shelter, made of nothing more than two sticks leaned against a tree and draped with a couple old quilts, I hear the freezing winds as they pass thru the bare, lifeless branches of the surrounding trees. I am both grateful and angry to be alive.
Before I venture outside I lie for a moment, listening. I hold my breath and close my eyes, taking in the sounds of the forest. My ears search for sounds of movement.

Before the sun sets each day I run lines, when I can, from trees around me in attempt to create some kind of alarm system. To these I attach anything that may make a sound when disturbed. Glass bottles and metal cans work well. In my experience they are not really necessary during the winter months, especially so deep in the woods, as I am. Nevertheless, I remain mindful of my surroundings and it simply comforts me to have the lines up.
I peak my head out slowly, eyes forced to squint by the rising sun. I have slept longer than I like. As I've said before, I prefer to move before sun up. It is not wise to stay long in one spot out here and I never return to or sleep in the same places twice. There are those who roam, as I do, who have proved quite the trackers. They are usually in small groups. They come across camp sights that have been carelessly covered up or not concealed at all, left by a solo wanderer or small group or family, and they begin to track the unsuspecting fools. If they catch up, you are robbed, killed, raped and maybe eaten. Not always in that order. I have seen the aftermath of those who were not careful. Their fates were the same, no matter their age.