Cold War: Aftermath

Chapter 15: Winter Wonderland

March 27, 1981
Ural Mountains

He wasn't asleep for long, to his surprise. Gathering his senses he stood up and peaked around the edge of the cave to glance outside. The snow storm seemed to be coming down harder than it had previously. He looked at his watch, which looked nearly frozen. It was still dark out but he knew he had to keep going. He could sleep once he reached base. Gathering what strength he had he continued his way uphill. The sleep he did get would at least give him enough energy to freshen his senses. He walked for a while and eventually the storm died down some.

He came across an animal, it nearly blended in with the environment. The large grey wolf seemed nearly blurry because of the snow getting in his eyes. He immidiatly stopped in his tracks staring at the animal. It began to approach him with sharp teeth. He began to slowly reach for his holster as he saw another of its kind step from around a tree. His hands were shaky from the harsh tenperatures. Waiting to see what the animals would do he had a firm grip on his weapon. As one of them charged in his direction the second followed seconds later. He whipped out his weapon and shot the first one. As it collapsed into the soft white flakes of snow, the second managed to pounce on him before he could take the shot, the sharp points of its paws cutting deep into his mid section. As his Redeemer got knocked from his hand the strong animal got on top of him.

Anthony held back the head and shoulders of the wolf. He screamed out as he exterted himself to push the beast off of him as he managed to land a solid left hook to its head. Buying himself a few seconds he dove for his weapon and took the shot. Seeing the predator down, he got back to his feet. With only four bullets left, he put the Redeemer back in it's holster. He put a hand to the deep cuts across his abdomen. His hand was painted in deep red blood. With no medical supplies, he had to keep moving. He looked up the mountain and saw that he was a little over halfway there.

After nearly an hour and a half of continous stumbling up the mountian, he finally collapsed, face first into the snow.

"Just a small nap.." he mumbled.

His blood began to stain the pure white snow beneath his body. He tried to fight the exhaustion but it began to overtake his body. As he began to shut his eyelids he began to hear familiar sounds. Voices.

"Come on Anthony, it's not far. You have to make it there so I can tell Mama of your victory."

The voice of his younger sister was recognizable to him instantly. However he could hear that she was no longer a child. She was older, but still very young. His eyes widened.

"Elena." He thought for a moment.

"I want her to be proud." He uttered, a tear began to form in his eye.

"We shall tell her together." Her voice echoed.
He began to crawl, ignoring the pain.

"Where are you!" He asked desperate to find her.

She didn't respond. Before he could shout her name again he heard another voice.

"Let's go Bell, move it."

"Lazar! Why can't I see you! Why didn't you tell me?!" He was angry but felt guilt that his friend's blood would forever be on his hands.

Another voice. "Bell, you can't sleep now. People need you, more than ever." Park said. He paused, as if he had seen a ghost. Part of it was because he sort of did.

"I can see you..." he was confused for a moment. "Wait!" He shouted as she began to walk away behind a tree. "Please!"

He pushed himself to his feet and rushed after her. He went around the same tree she did and saw that she was nowhere to be found. He fell back to his knees, overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He held his head in his hands.