The Long Dark- A Journey Through Frozen Hell

Radio Tower

Miho slowly awoke in the cave, sore, cold, and alone.

She rose from the cave ground, her fire burned out and the sun slowly rising.

She stared at the sun, awaiting for it to get warmer while staying out of the wind that her clothes couldn't protect her from.

After some time, the sun rose, and the wind died down, so Miho walked out of the cave and continued walking.

As she walked, she looked up to see a radio tower peeking above the trees.

She made her way to the radio tower, looking behind her shoulder for any animals that wanted to eat her.

As she walked, her stomach growled as she felt thirsty and her strength waning.

Still, despite being in the worst condition in her life so far, she still pushed on.

The radio tower, despite being visible, was miles away. In her condition, it would take a while.

By the time she made it, the sun was setting, and she could see the tower just up the hill.

The excitement took over her as she ran up the top of the hill, stumbling a few times before she made it.

She made it to the top of the hill, staring at the building before her attention was taken away to something laying on the ground.

She walked over to it and gasped.

It was the body of a man. Frozen with large patches of dried blood on his jacket.

The sight nearly brought Miho to tears as she stared in shock.

A primal gut instinct told her to look behind her, so she did.

Behind her were several wolves. All of them snarling at her.

Fight or flight took over, and she flighted, running to the chaining fence and opening the gate.

The wolves chased her until she slammed the gate shut.

The wolves snapped and barked at her, making her jump back in terror.

Miho turned and ran to the radio station, opening the door and slamming it shut.

Inside, even though it was cold, it was better than out there.

Miho pulled out her matches, striking one and barely illuminated her hands, much less the room she was in.

Miho looked around, walked to a desk, and opened it to find a stack of papers. Her match was expended, burning her finger so she struck another one, walking to another desk to find a can of grape soda and sardines.

Even though Miho wasn't a fan of sardines, the sight made her mouth water.

She managed to catch a glimpse of a woodburning stove before her match burned her finger.

Miho opened the matches, feeling how many matches she had left. Three to be specific.

Deciding to not waste anymore, she slowly moved her feet across the floor until she felt a cold iron stove on her leg.

She fumbled in the dark, grabbing the pieces of wood and putting them and the stack of papers in the fireplace before she struck a match.

She guided the small flame to the papers, letting them burn before catching the dried wood on fire.

The flame illuminated the small room, not much but some.

Miho's body began to heat up as she closed her eyes, taking in the warmth willingly.

Miho sat next to the flame, eating what rations she had taken.

She thought about the dead man outside. Thinking he was alive before shaking the thought out of her head that he was alive. By now, the wolves must have taken his body for themselves.

After enjoying a survivalist dinner, she walked to the table with a radio and flicked the buttons.

"Hello, is anyone there? Hello? Can anyone hear me?" She asked.

Suddenly, the radio cracked to life, and the lights flickered.

Miho looked around, unsure what to do.

She heard a loud bang outside, making her gasp in fear before grabbing her flare pistol.

She slowly approached the door and opened it.

She looked outside, looking at the humming radio tower before her attention was taken by the aurora.

Miho stared at the lights with her mouth agape, forgetting about what she was doing and staring up at the sky.

It was beautiful. It was something Miho had never seen before in Japan.

Just like the arura, the chain link fence rattled, catching her attention to see the wolves were outside the fence, but something was wrong with them.

Miho didn't want to get closer, but she drew closer to get a closer look.

The wolves, naturally dark in color, were glowing a green tint as if the aurora itself was masking them. Their eyes, also naturally dark, were glowing a bright white. The wolves seemed angrier than before, taking bites at the chainlink fence and pulled at it in an attempt to get Miho.

Miho stared, mostly in curiosity at the behavior of these animals.

The longer she stood there, the angrier they got, pulling on the fence and snarling as if they were rabid.

One of the wolves jumped on the fence, got a foothold, and started climbing.

Miho snapped out of it, quickly sprinting back to the radio tower and slamming the door shut.

Miho breathed heavily as she propped against the door, listening to the wolf bark at her from outside.

She took a desk, slid it to the door, and barricaded herself inside.

Miho sat next to the stove, taking in what warmth she lost before the feeling of loneliness set in once again.