Jack woke to the icy wind biting at his exposed skin. His body ached from the previous day's struggles, but hunger gnawed at his insides. He knew he couldn't survive much longer without food. His modern knowledge told him the human body could last weeks without eating, but the harsh conditions of the Ice Age made that a dangerous gamble. He needed to find sustenance soon.
With cautious steps, he moved through the snow-covered landscape, scanning for any signs of life. Tracks dotted the frozen earth—small impressions left by creatures he didn't yet recognize. He followed a set of prints that led toward a cluster of trees in the distance, his breath forming dense clouds in the cold air.
As he approached, he heard rustling—something was moving. He crouched low, peering through the brittle branches. A group of large deer-like creatures grazed near a frozen stream, their massive antlers branching like ancient trees. Jack recognized them as megaceros, giant Ice Age deer. Their size was intimidating, but they were prey. The problem was, he had no weapon.
He scanned his surroundings for anything that could serve as a makeshift spear. Spotting a sturdy branch buried beneath the snow, he wrenched it free and tested its strength. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do. Sharpening the end against a rough stone, he crafted a crude yet functional hunting tool.
Moving carefully, he approached the herd, trying to stay downwind. He crouched behind a fallen log, watching their movements, planning his strike. He would have to be quick and accurate. If he failed, he might not get another chance.
Just as he was preparing to lunge, a sudden noise shattered the silence. A deep, guttural growl sent a chill down his spine. Jack turned sharply to see a pack of dire wolves emerging from the trees, their eyes locked onto the same prey. His heart pounded—he was no longer the only hunter.
The wolves wasted no time. With terrifying speed, they charged at the megaceros, who bolted in a desperate attempt to escape. Jack had to think fast. The chaos was an opportunity—if he could act quickly, he might be able to take down a wounded animal.
He sprinted after the fleeing herd, pushing his body beyond exhaustion. The wolves had already taken down a younger deer, but another was limping behind, struggling to keep up. Jack knew this was his chance. He gripped his spear tightly and ran, closing the distance between them. With every ounce of strength he had, he drove the spear into the animal's side, feeling the impact reverberate through his arms.
The creature let out a pained cry, stumbling to the ground. Blood stained the white snow. Jack's breath came in ragged gasps as he watched, stunned by his own success. But he had no time to celebrate—the wolves had noticed him. Their yellow eyes glowed in the dim light, their bodies tensed.
Jack slowly backed away, gripping his spear defensively. He had taken down prey, but he was still vulnerable. The wolves growled, assessing whether he was a threat—or another meal. He had to think fast.
Instinct took over. He raised his arms and shouted, making himself look as large and intimidating as possible. He brandished the bloodied spear, thrusting it toward them. The wolves hesitated. One took a step forward, baring its teeth, but Jack held his ground, yelling louder. The tension stretched for what felt like an eternity until, finally, the wolves relented, dragging their kill away.
Jack exhaled deeply, his body trembling from both the cold and the adrenaline. He had won this battle. He had food. But the reality of his situation weighed heavily—this world was ruthless, and he would have to fight for every scrap of survival.
With his crude knife, he began to carve into the fallen megaceros, knowing that this was only the beginning of his struggle. He had taken his first step into the life of an Ice Age hunter, and there was no turning back now.