He would become the beginning.

  For now he just stood over the body of an ancient predator, looked at his scratched hands, and searched for a rational expnation for something that clearly had none.

  Deep in his mind something stirred.

  A strange feeling that he had somehow been here before. Not seen this forest, but felt something like it. As if somewhere, long ago or somewhere else entirely, someone had spoken to him about a mission. About a beginning. About a road with no way back.

  Dan frowned and pushed the thought away.

  Déjà vu. Just stress. His brain had done stranger things after long shifts.

  "The trick will not work," he told himself quietly. "I am fine. I will handle this. First meat. Then shelter. Then people."

  He repeated the words several times like a mantra and got to work.

  And the strange feeling stayed somewhere at the edge of his mind, quiet, patient, waiting.