Think about the story. Why does the narrator hide from the foragers in the cave? The narrator fears they will steal the backpack containing the shattered soul orb pieces. The narrator knows they will extinguish their fire and take away its needed warmth. The narrator knows they will return to the settlement and tell the elders about the backpack. The narrator fears they will react violently at the sight of someone with a broken soul orb.
The narrator hides from the foragers in the cave because they fear that the foragers will steal the backpack containing the shattered soul orb pieces. The soul orb pieces are precious and powerful, and the narrator knows that if they are taken, their chances of restoring the orb and reuniting with their lost soul will be lost. Additionally, the foragers may also extinguish the fire in the cave, taking away the warmth and protection that it provides. The narrator also fears that the foragers will return to their settlement and inform the elders about the backpack, which could lead to a confrontation or violent reaction due to the sacred and mystical nature of the soul orb. Overall, the narrator's decision to hide is fueled by a combination of fear of losing the soul orb pieces, losing their warmth and protection, and facing potential danger or backlash from the elders.
