Destined To Die

Chapter 12 - Why

-12-

-Why-

The wind howled along the mountainside as Akane trudged on through the snow, following closely behind Maddy. She'd rummaged through her duffel bag and pulled out every jacket she had, stacking them in layers, but neither of them had packed for this sort of weather. The cold was setting in quickly, sheer snow-capped mountains rose in every direction, and all Akane could tell from the position of the setting sun was that they were heading east.

Every now and then he glanced over his shoulder, seeing a faint black silhouette bounding over the top of the snow at a distance, emerald eyes locked onto them as it followed. The witch wouldn't be far behind.

"We need to find shelter," Maddy called over her shoulder, arms tucked into her sides, head firmly down to keep as much of her neck covered as possible.

Akane didn't reply, keeping his breath steady as he scanned the horizon far below. There wasn't any sign of habitation anywhere he could see, just the barren mountains and more snow. Even through the balaclava drawn up over the lower half of his face, he could see his breath frosting in the air directly in front of him.

"Keep moving," Akane said, taking Maddy's duffel bag from her arm and throwing it over his shoulder with his own, "We can make it."

"Make it where?" she asked, head turning to look over their white and black surroundings.

Akane didn't have an answer. They fell into silence once again as they trekked on through the snow, slowly descending the mountain and making their way into the valley below. There was a sparse collection of pine trees down there, maybe enough to give them shelter from the wind and a small fire while they worked on a more permanent plan.

Maddy seemed to wordlessly follow his thinking, leading their way as the sun began to set over the mountain's peak behind them. They didn't have long before it was dark, and then they were really in trouble.

"What did you mean before, about dreams?" Maddy called back to him as they continued, if only to break the ever-present drone of the wind.

"I've been having... visions," Akane replied, looking for the right words, "A woman telling me where to go. It's not important."

"A woman?" Maddy asked, "Do you have any idea who she is?"

"She said that she was my mother."

Maddy faltered mid-step, pausing to look back at Akane.

"Do you think it cou—"

"It's not her, Maddy. I know my mother, and that thing isn't her. It's just more manipulations, more lies."

Maddy nodded, thinking as Akane pushed on ahead, forcing his legs through the snow to clear a path for her to pass more easily.

"Don't suppose the mysterious dream lady mentioned where to get a hot chocolate, did she?" Maddy asked with a wry tone.

Akane couldn't help but smile slightly in response, hidden beneath the mask.

"No, she didn't."

The pair descended into the valley as quickly as they could, making their way towards the treetops poking through the endless field of white. The snow was thicker here, but with Akane leading the way and finding a safe path through the deepest sections they made descent time. All the while the familiar darted behind them at a distance, keeping an eye as they made their way forward. Maddy slumped against a tree, near exhaustion, causing a shower of snow to rain down over their heads. She wasn't looking good; the shivering had stopped, and she was tired. Another few hours in this weather would be the end of her.