One Deadly Night

Twelve

Skye focused on keeping her grip around the man's neck as loose as possible so not to choke him. But that was proving difficult with her body bobbing nearly out of control as he bounded through the deep snow.

Her eyes scanned around.

Nothing was familiar though she knew she'd been here before.

Sound of trickling water drifted to her ears.

Yes, the frozen waterfall.

Recent memory of Grandpa brought tears as she furiously blinked them away.

How will she tell Granny about him? About the bugs?

They approached the narrow, partially frozen river.

"I need to put you down now." The man said as he stooped.

Skye slid off and landed on her feet.

She watched as he paced from the tree line they just exited and the nearby snow-covered trail.

He was muttering something to himself which she could not hear.

What was he waiting for?

Whomp-whomp-whomp-whomp.

The noise echoed through the valley.

"What's that?" She asked.

She heard him swear. It was one of the words Grandpa used a lot.

"Helicopter." He replied. "But they won't be able to see us."

She watched as his gaze turned upward.

"We need to climb up!"

He pointed to the frozen waterfall.

Skye stared at it.

How does one climb on ice?

**

Jon cursed again as he shoved the flare gun into one of his parka's pockets.

He should have grabbed the radio – but what was point of that? It was dead.

Shaking his head, this was no time to be second guessing himself.

The woods behind them grew noisy with shhh sounds.

The girl's eyes widened.

"Hey?" He tried to turn her attention from the approaching insectoid army. "What's your name?"

Her dark eyes moved to his face. "S-Skye."

"Nice to meet you, Skye." He held out a hand. "I'm Jon."

The girl's hand seemed so tiny in his as he studied it for a second.

"Alright, Skye this is what we're gonna do." He gently squeezed. "There's a helicopter coming to rescue us, but we need to climb up there for them to get to us. Understand?"

Her eyes remained steady on his as she slowly nodded.

Guilt pangs rushed through him.

How was he going to tell her that she was all alone in this world?

Echoes of snapping twigs and branches reached them as they both simultaneously glanced toward the murky woods.

"Okay, time to go." Jon said and knelt beside the girl.

Skye climbed on with little issue this time.

"I got to wade across to get to the waterfall. We're going to get very wet and cold, but no matter what, don't let go. Got it?"

"Y-yes." He heard her say.

Good girl He thought as he straightened.

Jon walked to the side of the river and took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to do.

"Here we go."

And stepped into the icy water.