Sasha's Hermes bag and suitcase floated on the sparkling surface of the lake, while her Ferrari had probably sunk to the bottom.
She tried to recall how she had tumbled down the mountain, car and all, yet now found herself inexplicably in this wild, primitive place, miraculously unscathed. The strangeness of it unsettled her.
But there was no time to dwell on that now. The situation was uncertain, and she needed to secure her belongings first.
With effort, Sasha jumped into the lake and retrieved her bag and suitcase. Water had seeped in, soaking several clothes, cosmetics, and other items. She first tried her phone, but it remained unresponsive. It seemed the water had ruined it.
Without a phone, she had no way to contact the outside world. A sigh escaped her lips. Could she truly be stranded in the wilderness?
Throwing the useless device aside, she opened the suitcase and spread her wet clothes on the grass to dry under the sun, each piece carefully laid out.
Only after finishing this task did she realize how hungry she was. She had no idea how long she had been unconscious. Her stomach grumbled loudly. Fortunately, she had some biscuits and bread in her bag. Otherwise, in this remote mountain and ancient forest, where could she find food? Starvation seemed inevitable.
Sasha tore open a chocolate bread from her bag. The bag itself had survived the water. Normally meticulous about her appearance, she now ignored all concerns of elegance, biting into the bread with abandon.
After eating too quickly, she walked to the lake and cupped some clear water in her hands, taking a few sips. The water tasted sweet and refreshing, a rare comfort in her current plight.
Her hunger subsided slightly, and her eyes wandered to the black cat beside her. It seemed listless, and something felt wrong.
Sasha approached Nolan cautiously and knelt. Only now did she notice his injury. The grass around him was stained with red.
Gently rolling him over, she saw a deep wound on his soft abdomen. Flesh was torn, blood oozing slowly. The sight made her stomach twist in distress.
What could she do? Sasha frowned anxiously. She loved animals and could not bear to see them in pain. Leaving him like this would surely be fatal.
She stood and began searching the area for medicinal plants to staunch the bleeding. As a beautician, she had some knowledge of herbal remedies.
After a long search, her perseverance paid off. She found several sprigs of Prunella vulgaris growing in a rock crevice. The creeping plant, with hairy leaves, oval foliage, and small purple flowers, was known for stopping bleeding and reducing swelling.
A faint smile crossed Sasha's face. She smashed the Prunella on a nearby rock into a paste, then picked a large leaf to wrap the medicinal mixture.
Nolan watched her curiously, his feline eyes narrowing in confusion. He could not understand what she was doing.
Orcs possessed strong healing abilities, and though he had been seriously injured, he would survive. Recovery was only a matter of time. Injuries and death were commonplace in the jungle, the cost of survival and the pursuit of strength.
Unaware of this, Sasha gently laid Nolan by the lake and rinsed his wound with fresh water. Once cleansed, the exposed tissue and visible intestines shocked her. Never had she seen such a severe injury. Gritting her teeth, she applied the herbal paste evenly over his abdomen using the leaf as a bandage.
The cool sensation made Nolan realize that the female before him was tending to his wound. His green eyes widened in disbelief. Could she be a healer of some kind? Veterinarians were highly respected in every tribe, and this beautiful female seemed full of mystery.
Noticing she needed more material, Sasha glanced at her skirt. With a small tearing sound, she ripped off the hem, shortening it to her thighs, revealing slender, straight legs. The sight, unintentional yet striking, drew a subtle reaction from Nolan, who could not help but be captivated by her fair, smooth skin.
While carefully dressing the wound, Sasha tied the makeshift bandage into a neat bow and patted Nolan gently. The orc felt the pain in his injury ease slightly, soothed by the female's gentle hands.
She picked up the remaining bread, tore a piece, and offered it to Nolan. Her eyes softened as she spoke, "Eat it, little guy."
The gesture delighted Nolan. She liked him, it seemed. He sniffed the bread, unfamiliar with its scent or ingredients, yet slowly took a bite, savoring the taste. His cat eyes narrowed slightly in contentment.
As he finished, Sasha tore another piece and fed him. One human, one cat, sharing bread in this quiet forest. She ate herself sparingly, conscious of conserving supplies. Tomorrow, she will need sustenance again.
The wound on Nolan's abdomen seemed like the work of a wild predator's claws. Sasha remained vigilant, aware of the dangers lurking in the dense forest.
Finally, her clothes and belongings dried. She packed everything back into her suitcase. Her high heels had been impractical for the uneven terrain, so she changed into white Nike sneakers, appreciating the practicality of her recent purchase in France.
She hid the suitcase in a dense bush, then looked up at the canopy overhead. A large tree with many low branches appeared suitable for sleeping.
Cradling Nolan in her arms and hoisting herself up with both hands and feet, she climbed the trunk, the first time she had scaled a tree in over twenty years. Sweat dampened her forehead, but the branch was sturdy enough for both of them to rest safely.
Placing the bag behind her, Sasha held Nolan close. The cat nestled into her arms, licked his paws, inhaled her scent, and slowly closed his eyes, comforted.
He observed the female, realizing she was clever and capable, unlike other females who relied solely on male protection. She was intelligent, gentle, and cautious—a rare combination that intrigued him deeply.