I woke up groggy. I was looking up towards the tree tops. The light of the sun was barely cutting through the leaves of the tall pillars. My hair was damp and my head was lying in the soggy mud. I was covered in splotches of sludge and dirt. My shoes were missing and my clothes we torn at the edges. I had a grimy looking bandage on my left leg, there was visible dry blood that had soaked through. I stood up with pain shooting my left leg. It wasn’t unbearable but it wasn’t pleasant either. I had discomfort in my back as well. I had slumped over due to the awkward feeling. I must have looked like a feral beast standing there. This feeling of immediate action swept from the ground to my feet. I had no thoughts running through my mind but to begin walking forward and not to run. It felt as if the need to relocate was dire. I never bothered looking down at my feet as I walked. My eyes were fixed forward, looking at the forest before me. My mind still void of thought my eyes were scanning for dangers. My vision darting from one corner of the treeline to the next. The impulse of caution racing in my muscles. I felt charged, ready for attack. Suddenly my ears picked up the snapping branches. My focus soon shifts off in the direction of the noise. My stare was pinned to a coyote. Our eyes locked in visual combat, I froze for a moment. My mind then told my muscles to approach him. I took a step towards him and he backed up and arched his back, he was prepared for both attack or escape. I took another step and our battle was over. The coyote quickly turned and bolted out of view. An injured leg still fresh with blood. A man lost in a wilderness unknown. I was out of my element. I had never felt more hopeless and in danger. I had never felt so animal.