The Long Dark- A Journey Through Frozen Hell

Preparing for winter

Miho stepped out of the house, feeling the wind chill her exposed legs.

If she wanted to survive, she'd need better clothes. This skirt was not helping at all.

So the closest house Miho saw, she walked up to, entering it and closing the door behind her.

First, Miho raided the kitchen.

The kitchen did not offer much. Except for a bag of ketchup chips, a tin of coffee, and an orange soda. Which would not be enough for Grey Mother or Miho.

Next, Miho walked into the bedroom, grabbed a pair of large work pants, and put them on, throwing her skirt to the other side of the room before grabbing a cotton toque on the dresser. Miho spotted a faded green and orange backpack before grabbing it, walked out, and now prepared for her supply run.

Miho looked down the street, looking at all the damaged buildings and cars before making it to the gas station on the far outskirts of town.

Miho reached for the door handle and stopped, listening to the cracking of wood inside the gas station.

She opened the door and walked in.

A man sat by a fire inside the station, just sitting there. Stroking the flames with a stick.

"Well, another stranger. Have you escaped the town?" The man asked.

"Escaped? No, I just arrived."

"Not a refugee from the highways then. Come. Warm yourself by the fire." He said.

Reluctantly, Miho approached, sitting down on a chair in front of the man.

"Who are you?" Miho asked.

"I'm nobody, but you can call me Methuselah. I'm here to witness the passing of an age."

"What do you mean?" Miho asked.

"Don't you see the signs?" He asked.

Miho looked at the fire, staring into the flames.

"Everything feels strange. And empty." Miho started.

"I miss home. I miss my mom. My sister. My team. I miss the warm air. I miss the feeling of not being miserable."

"We all miss something in life. You desire something more than what you miss." Methuselah said.

"What do you mean?" Miho asked.

"That is for you to figure out."

Miho looked up at the man and looked around in the gas station.

"I'm sorry, but I need to get supplies in here." Miho said.

"It's not my stuff. Take it." He said.

"Thank you for letting me sit by the fire, Mister Methuselah." She said.

"Best of luck to Miss Nishizumi." He said.

"How, do you know me?" She asked.

"You're the commander of the Oorai Senshado team. Everybody knows you." He said.

Miho looked down before roaming around the gas station, grabbing any food she could get.

She walked into the manager's office out of curiosity.

Inside the office, there was a desk and computer with a bed roll rolled out on the floor with a knife next to it and an oil lamp.

Miho approached the items, examining them before taking them.

With the bedroll tied to her backpack, knife tucked in the hem of her pants and a lamp in her hands, she walked past Methuselah before stopping and turned to him.

He continued looking down at the fire, so Miho turned and walked out.

Somehow, talking with Methuselah sparked a feeling in Miho. A feeling of confidence. She felt like she could take on the world. Or so she thought.

As Miho walked through the snow back to town, a howl made her freeze in movement.

She looked around to spot a wolf walking up to her, growling and snarling.

She stared, determining its movements before slowly reaching for her knife while stepping back.

The wolf got closer the more Miho stepped back.

Miho was preparing for the wolf's attack until she hit the hood of a car.

Miho quickly ran to the side of the car, opened it, and quickly climbed in.

She shut the door, watching as the wolf walked to the side of the door.

Miho stuck her tongue out at the wolf before it walked away between two houses.

Miho waited for a short time before she climbed out and quickly ran to Gray Mother's house.

Miho ran up the steps before looking down at the trail of blood.

The sight of blood trailing off to the shed worried Miho, but she was curious.

Slowly, Miho followed the blood trail, mentally preparing herself for what she might find.

Slowly, Miho walked around the corner before gasping in shock.

A man in an orange uniform leaned against the wall with blood soaking the front of his uniform.

"Oh my god." She said shakily.

Her eyes slowly moved to the hatchet in the man's hand.

Miho approached, kneeling down.

"I'm sorry." She said, taking the hatchet from the dead man before standing up and walking back to Grey Mother's house.

Miho stopped by the door, looking at the fire box.

She lifted the lid of the box to see the firewood inside was not plentiful and not enough to survive the winter.

Miho walked inside and to Gray Mother's pantry, stocking the shelves with the food she collected.

It wasn't enough, but it was a start.

Miho walked into the living room where Gray Mother still rocked in her chair.

"I went to the gas station and got some food. It wasn't much, but I can get more in the morning." She said.

"Thank you, Miho. You are a kind young woman." Grey Mother said, making a small smile.

Miho smirked and set her bag down.

"Do you mind if I sleep on the floor?" Miho asked.

"I do have a bed." Gray Mother said.

"It's okay, I'm somewhat used to sleeping on the ground. Plus, the fire is warmer."

Miho unrolling her bedroll, taking off her boots and gloves, letting her fingers warm up.

Outside, the wind howled as she laid down, listening to the wind, and slowly fell asleep.