The red jasper disappeared into my storage with that familiar
lack of sensation
, leaving me staring at empty space where a
beautiful stone
had been moments before. I muttered while reshouldering my backpack.
"Now I’m just stealing random rocks. This is what my life has become."
Counting off the paces specified in the hunter’s journal from where the rock had been, I stop over a spot.
Three feet down
from here should be the medical cache. The folding shovel extended with a
satisfying click
when I pulled it out.
I aimed my phone’s flashlight at the ground to make sure there were no rocky surfaces. The recent rain had softened the soil, making
the first few inches
come away very easily. Dark, loamy earth clung to the
shovel blade
as I worked.
"At least I’m getting better at this. The handle hasn’t broken yet. Then again, I’m not trying to use it as a werewolf..."
I spoke to myself and to Vrika, who seemed
resigned
to my nocturnal activities. Despite its exhaustion. But I’m not asking it to transform me or particularly
heal
me.
This
shovel
was a significant improvement, creating a
neat, rectangular excavation
quickly. I settled into a steady rhythm of sliding into earth and flipping it out beside the hole. Pausing occasionally to check my progress with the flashlight.
Fifteen minutes
of determined digging revealed the top of a metal container with a clang. Smaller than the
weapons cache
, but about the size of one of the large ammo boxes inside that had been.
I cleared the remaining soil carefully, not wanting to damage whatever was inside by
striking
it again. The container was made of lightweight alloy and sealed with
professional-grade waterproof tape
, the journal said. No locks, no visible traps - just thorough protection against the elements.
"I’m actually surprised he doesn’t make use of more traps. But I guess he was arrogant."
The problem now was
transportation
. With the big jasper occupying my Stash slot, I couldn’t simply store the cache and carry on. I’d have to
physically haul everything back
to where I left the shipping container.
The kit’s metal alone probably weighed
at least twenty pounds
- and my backpack was already loaded with tools and supplies. That’s if it would even easily fit inside its mouth... of course, Vrika seemed amused by my
predicament
.
"In my arms it is. Without your help. This is going to be a long walk back."
I filled in the dug up site first, scattering nearby
pine needles
over the disturbed earth to partially disguise my work. The trek back through the dark forest proved every bit as dull as expected, being careful not to
trip or jostle the contents
until I verified what they were.
By the time I reached my makeshift camp, some sweat had
soaked through my wicking shirt
from these
exertions
despite the very cool night air. I set down the cache with relief inside the container before peeling away the sealing tape.
It revealed an interior packed with
militaristic
effort. Every item had its designated space, secured with foam padding or elastic straps to prevent damage during moving and storage. The top layer of goods already made me exhale in relief - this being a
useful find
.
Medical supplies that went
far beyond basic first aid
. Sealed packets of ’surgical sutures’, gauze for staunching severe bleeding, antibiotics with years left before expiration, and a complete
emergency surgical kit
with instruments... that I couldn’t identify, but trusted were important.
"This is better equipped than anything the Duskpaw ever had."
I murmured while examining a packet of [broad-spectrum antibiotics]. The wolf spirit understood that needing such
advanced medical care
would mean something had gone very wrong and whimpered. But it’s better to
have
these things than not.
The second layer contained pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and what appeared to be specialized trauma supplies. Everything was clearly labeled with usage instructions and shelf life. The hunter had been meticulous about maintaining his medical stockpile.
> But kept none of it at his hideout. A weird man. And I might pick some up while I’m moving through here. They’ll keep in the container anyway... I think. <
I laid back out on my fleece blanket
without shifting or taking off my clothes
. The physical exertion had finally made me tired enough to sleep. Despite that single mysterious message still
nagging
at the back of my mind.
Whatever BoundaryKeeper wanted could
wait
until I returned to the city. Like they claimed. Right now, I
needed rest
.
Three
more caches still awaited me tomorrow... and I had the feeling the
easy ones
were behind me.