"Huh?"
Louis tries to look contrite.
"I'm the one who took off your mom's side mirror. As long as I'm telling you everything."
Harry grins wider.
"Now I really want to get back. Gotta make sure you pay it off."
"Pay it off, how, exactly?"
"Oh, I don't know. Tokens, favors, an eternity of servitude—I'll think of something."
Louis is so relieved to see his fire back, he doesn't even mind the teasing.
—
"One's better than nothing,"
Louis says to himself, hanging the hare behind his back as he gathers the snares.
When he walks past the dogs Louis proudly holds it out by its feet. The dogs watch him, and he could swear they nod with approval.
When Louis stomps back into the cabin, he feels as if he's in one of Mom's old trapper movies, but he's bringing home their next meal and Harry is cleaning the kitchen.
"Well, aren't you looking pleased with yourself?"
Louis holds up the hare and Harry's eyes grow round.
"Wow! I didn't think rabbits would be so big!"
"This isn't a rabbit, it's a hare."
Louis drops the snares on the table.
"We can have half right now, and save the other half for lunch. We can cook it on the stove. We'll just leave the door open—it'll still work."
His mouth waters thinking about a bubbling pot of meat.
"Here, hold the feet."
Harry hesitantly reaches out.
"Look at the size of these feet! They're as long as my hand!"
"Must be why they're called snowshoe hares. Hold tight."
Louis grips the skin on the legs, just below where Harry is holding, and yanks down forcefully.
The skin rips at the ankles and turns neatly inside out down to the head, exposing the red meat.
"Wha—Holy naked hare!"
He sets to work cutting off the back straps of meat while Harry makes a fire.
Louis is eager to get on the trail, but eating is number one. When they sink their teeth into breakfast, Louis could die from the sweet flavor.
It doesn't take them long to finish the tiny pot. He considers cooking the second half right away, but decides they should save it, not knowing if they'll get lucky again.
They pack the rest of the hare with the last of the crackers along with their small pile of gear.
The energy from breakfast courses through his body and makes him feel as if everything will be all right.
They can do this.
Yes, they're going home today.
YOU ARE READING
Outlasts
FanfictionLouis has dogs. Lots of dogs. Lives in Alaska, and has a sled. Which you can guess, is for dogsledding. He's determined to win the White Wolf race in remembrance of his mother and tries to go cross country to find more dogs. He gets lost along th...
