Chapter 3 Wonderful World

Panic crashes over me like an avalanche. I start hysterically and frantically searching the grotto walls, hoping to find some lever, button, or who knows what—to somehow open a way through the rock and get back home.

But all my efforts are in vain! There’s nothing in the stone that could help me in this full-blown meltdown.

I pull myself together and try to assess the situation rationally—but it’s not really working. There’s only one sensible explanation: I must have fallen asleep, and this is all just a dream!

But that theory is brutally smashed when a jagged rock jabs into my pinky toe, making me stumble painfully. Howling from the pain, I clutch my injured foot, swearing like a sailor. It hurts way too much—and feels way too real for a dream!

But giving up is not an option! I have to fall asleep—and when I wake up, I’ll be back in my apartment, phone smashed into my face, just like it’s happened more than once before.

Curling up in the far corner of the grotto, I settle down on the ground—thankfully dry and surprisingly warm, as if it’s early spring or summer here, which is a small mercy.

Turning my back to the rock, I tuck my hand under my head, close my eyes, and try with all my might to fall asleep.

Counting sheep, recalling every detail of the last quarter’s report, and even reviewing my boring life, sleep still wouldn’t come—which was weird, considering I had an absolutely exhausting day. In fact, I felt unusually alert and full of energy.

After freaking out one more time, I gave up on trying to sleep. It’s not working; I need something else.

Well, since I’m already stuck here—who knows where—it’s silly to just sit still. Besides, who knows what might be lurking around here? I need to look around, find a safer spot, and maybe even some food.

Alright, Iza, you were bored with your life and wanted to shake things up—well, here you go, full throttle!

I hope I didn’t end up in the distant past, where eternally hungry dinosaurs roam—or worse, that time when giant arthropods and spiders ruled the planet. Just the thought makes me shudder. I hate spiders.

But my assumptions fell apart like a house of cards when I stepped onto a ledge and saw two suns and something like a moon hanging in the sky—in broad daylight.

Damn, I’m definitely not on Earth!

And that’s terrifying, because I have absolutely no idea how to survive here or what to do next!

Fragments from alien and predator movies and all sorts of similar nonsense started rushing through my head, triggering uncontrollable panic.

Well, at least I’m breathing freely—that’s something. There’s even a pleasant scent of some kind of flowers in the air.

Looking around, I see twisting trees and bushes that look like ours. Of course, there are differences, but not very significant—though I can’t possibly know all Earth plants.

Standing on the edge of the ledge, I survey the area. Behind me is the rock I climbed out of, and on the horizon, a mountain range with snowy peaks. Ahead lies a huge valley with a winding river flowing into a dense forest. Beautiful—no arguments there.

Suddenly, focusing closely, I spot thin streams of smoke right at the forest’s edge. Trying to see better, it seems like there’s a small settlement! For sure! I can even make out some fields!

Well, if there are people and fields, then I probably won’t run into dinosaurs… theoretically… but no guarantees.

Carefully climbing down from the rocky ledge and pushing through thick bushes of some shrub, I see a proper gentle slope leading down from the height. Not very convenient, of course, to be hiking in slippers, but better than barefoot.

After wandering around the area for probably four hours, I realize I’m completely lost and have no idea where to go next. The landscape all looks the same, and now it even feels like I’m walking in circles. I can’t even roughly figure out where that settlement is anymore.

And honestly, from the ledge it seemed like it was just a stone’s throw away—but in reality, it’s much farther!

I’m thirsty and hungry. My slippers are falling apart and are held together by sheer good faith. The sun… the suns… or whatever they’re called, have already cooked my brain enough, and I just want to hide in the shade until better times come. But stopping isn’t an option—I need to find shelter. The only consolation is that I haven’t seen any animals except some small birds.

After walking for another half hour, I thought I heard the sound of a river. Overjoyed like an elephant after a bath, I run toward the babbling cacophony—and my happiness knows no bounds. It is a river!

Dropping to my knees on the warm sand, I scoop up water with my hands, washing my face and wiping my neck and armpits, which smell so strong they could knock out a horse.

The temptation wins, and I start drinking the water—because without it, I definitely won’t survive, so it’s worth the risk. The water tastes surprisingly good and refreshing.

Once I’ve pulled myself together and calmed down a bit, I close my eyes blissfully and look at the water. But then I get a very unexpected surprise—there, reflected on the water’s surface, is the face of some random girl staring back at me!