The dinosaur exhaled sharply, his breath stirring the dust at his feet as he carefully descended the rocky outcrop. His claws scraped against the stone, sending small pebbles tumbling down the slope. The sun was lower now, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. Hunger gnawed at his belly—a familiar, relentless ache.

He moved slowly, his keen eyes scanning the ground for any sign of life. A withered bush, its branches brittle and leafless, stood nearby. He sniffed at it, but the scent was dry and lifeless. No nourishment there. His tail dragged behind him, leaving a faint trail in the dirt as he pressed on.

A sudden rustle in the rocks made him freeze. His head snapped toward the sound, his muscles tensing. A small, lizard-like creature darted out from between two boulders, its scales reflecting the fading light. The dinosaur's instincts flared. In a flash, he lunged, his claws slicing through the air. The creature dodged, but not fast enough. His jaws clamped down, and the struggle was over in an instant.

The meal was meager, but it would sustain him for now. As he swallowed, his gaze drifted back to the east, where the glimmer had been. The metallic scent still lingered in his nostrils, teasing his curiosity. Night was falling, and the temperature was dropping rapidly. He needed shelter.

A shallow cave, barely more than an overhang, caught his eye. It was far from ideal, but it would shield him from the worst of the cold. He lumbered toward it, his body aching with exhaustion. As he settled into the dim hollow, his thoughts returned to the distant glimmer. Tomorrow, he would decide whether to pursue it or continue his search for food and water in this desolate land.