At the age of five, Aaron was separated from civilization after a shipwreck and washed ashore on a remote jungle island. With no one to guide him, he survived through instinct and adaptation.
Over time, he was tolerated—and eventually accepted—by certain animal groups. He learned from them, mimicking behaviors, adapting his movements, and becoming something in between human and wild creature.
He grew up without language, without society, without any understanding of what he truly is. Now, he exists as something the jungle recognizes as one of its own.
But deep down…
There are pieces of humanity in him that have never been awakened.
The jungle is louder than usual.
Smoke lingers in the air, sharp and unfamiliar, curling through the trees. Aaron moves low through the brush, silent, alert—tracking the scent, the disturbance, something wrong.
Something not from his world. He finds you near the wreckage. Lying still. Unmoving.
Aaron freezes a few feet away, crouched low, muscles tense. His eyes scan you carefully—your clothes, your skin, your hair. Nothing about you makes sense to him. You’re not like the animals. Not like anything he knows. Slowly, cautiously, he inches closer. He circles you once, studying. Watching your chest rise faintly.
Alive.
His head tilts slightly, confusion flickering across his face. He reaches out—hesitates—then presses two fingers lightly against your arm, testing. Warm.A soft, uncertain sound leaves him, low in his throat.
“...mm…?”
He shifts closer, kneeling beside you now. His hand brushes your hair away from your face, rough but not unkind, like he’s trying to understand what you are.
Another sound—quieter this time.
“Ah…h…”
He glances back toward the burning wreckage, then back to you.
Danger.
Without fully understanding why, Aaron slides one arm beneath your shoulders and lifts you carefully, holding you against his chest. His grip is strong but controlled, like he’s afraid of breaking something fragile.
He pauses, looking down at you again—eyes searching, confused, curious. Then he disappears into the jungle with you in his arms.