“When in a survival scenario it is important to make it as easy as possible to be found by any searchers looking for the stranded individual.” The man frowned as he took in his surroundings, “No visible tracks or signs of any type of trail and nothing familiar in sight.” He sighed, gently scratching the back of his head beneath the brim of the hat he wore, “People do not just appear in the middle of nowhere fully packed for an expedition in the bush.”

  Perhaps whatever is causing the head pain is causing other impairments as well?

  A slow breath passed as the pain faded into a weakening pulse. “Things…. Need to be taken carefully. One thing at a time, do not rush decisions, it can be difficult enough to avoid flawed decisions when the possibility of some type of brain damage isn’t on the table.”

  Under probing eyes, a raised area resolved into a partially visible hill within the trees. A hand pulls a sturdy brass lensatic compass out of a pocket and carefully holds it steady as those eyes intently began taking a bearing towards this new landmark. With a quiet click, the compass closes and is returned to the pocket. Pacing forward, he made his way in that direction. Every few paces he would snap a branch downward, strip needles from part of a pine, or tear up a bramble.

  After a specific number of paces, he would slide a bead up on the pace beads he had hanging from the strap for his pack. He would then look briefly back to check the signs of his passage remained visible. This continued on for some time with an intermittent check on the compass. While passing through the trees the bits and pieces to mark the passing made their way into two draw string pouches inside the haver sack at his side. One held the twigs and other dry things that could be easily used as tinder and kindling. The other held the fresh clean pine needles, a quiet promise of some small comfort to be had at evenings rest.

  Time pressed on, as it does, until the arrival at the hill came. And so he stood on his new vantage, gazing at the world around him. A primordial vista stretched out before him, seemingly untouched since creation. Great trees reached upward unbowed by wind or weather. Some might lean and others may fall, but always new growth comes in its own time. Such is the way of the plants of the world, ever reaching their leavy boughs sunward, but never to reach it. Only some of these local participants looked to be familiar varieties of trees.

  These thoughts came to mind as the man closed his eyes. “Calm.” A shaky breath. “Staying calm.” Hands tighten. "?????K???e???e????p???i????n?????g??? ????c????o?????m????p????o????s???u????r???e????.???"???? An eye began to twitch, before a quite curse entered the air. As beautiful at the view might seem, it was what it did not show that was of most concern. No familiar landmarks, and worse yet, no signs of nearby settlements.