The Cabin, the Woods, and the Wolf #watty2016

Chapter 2

Ch2

The snow is thick on the ground as I trek through looking for fallen branches that could be used for firewood. My journey is longer than normal because I have already scavenged the ones closest to the house.

Now I have passed the frozen creek that marks a mile out from the house. And I still don't have enough to last through the night and the sun is defending from its place in the sky.

I shiver in my worn coat that has more holes and patches than it does original cloth. I pull the collar closer around my neck to ward off the chill as much as possible but it's still bitterly cold.

If there isn't enough fire wood I'll freeze but worse I'll be beat.

I venture farther and further until I reach another bend in the creek. I can hear the water flow but can't see the bank to be able to pass it safely. I trip and fall into the water. Breaking the thin ice that muffled the babbling brook's melody. The water was frigid but once it soaked through the clothes on my back.

I try to make my way back to the house but the cold sets in far faster than I can travel. My teeth chatter first then the shivers that I can't stop. I stumble into I tree but get back up. I walk closer to the warmth but this time a fall dropping the small amount of wood I had collected.

It's harder to get up this time but I do, slowly. I finally reach the section of the last stretch of running water before home. A tree root finds my foot and I go stumbling into the freezing water once again.

The struggle to get up exhaust the last of my energy. My will to get back home extinguished even with the cold setting in deeper. I just lay there not caring anymore.

My eyes slowly close and I let them even when I hear a branch snap and the snow crunches behind me. The sounds of the heavy steps propel me to open my eyes a little and I see a black figure moving towards me on four legs.

My mind makes a whimpering sound but it doesn't reach my mouth. I want to move away, run far away to safety. My body refuses to make the slightest movement. My stuff clothing further impeding me.

A pull on the back of my coat the ground loses my weight and I'm air born . My last thought 'please don't eat me' before I lose consciousness.