The Long Dark- A Journey Through Frozen Hell

The Will to Survive

Yukari and Miho walked along the riverbank, shivering.

They still had all their things somehow, even the rifles, but they lost Jace somewhere down river.

As they walked, they picked up sticks, looking for a cave or something with less snow so they could stop and sit down to warm up.

They were quiet. The only sounds they made were the chattering of their teeth.

Unfortunately, the snow fell and slowly picked up.

Eventually, a blizzard set in as all they couldn't was walk.

They both felt hot, both knowing the symptoms of hypothermia, but they had nowhere to go. There was nowhere to get out of the blizzard.

Miho felt light, collapsing to the ground as Yukari fell to her knees, staring ahead.

As she stared ahead, she could see a figure ahead.

She couldn't make out the shapes as she felt her eyes get heavy.

When it got closer, it was a dog sled, pulled by several Malamute, husky, and Chinook dogs pulled it.

The figure stopped the sled, quickly getting off and picking up Miho.

"It's okay." The deep voice said under his heavy coat.

Yukari shivered as he picked her up.

"I got you." The man said, setting her on his sled.

He took their things, tucking them to the front of the sled as he climbed on.

"Mush!" He yelled as the dogs quickly ran.

"It's okay, you're safe now." He said.

They couldn't respond as the sled pulled them through the blizzard.

...

Miho slowly opened her eyes, feeling warm.

It was dark, with the exception of the fireplace glowing.

Yukari laid on a cot, covered with a blanket, same as Miho.

The thought of this being the afterlife did cross her mind as she sat up on the couch.

She realized she was in her underwear and looked around for her clothes to spot the note next to Yukari's jacket.

I'm out right now. Stay in the cabin and warm up. There's food in the pantry, and ammunition next to your guns. I oiled them for you. Be back soon.

- The guy who saved you

Miho set the note down and looked at Yukari, who was still asleep.

She was glad her friend was here, a face that was familiar, but Miho hated to see her like that. A quarter of the way dead was better than being half dead.

Miho took Yukari's clothes and put them on her for modesty, and stoked the fire.

Miho took out a can of some tomato soup and started cooking, frequently checking on Yukari, who was still unconscious.

After a while, Miho took some water, lifted Yukari's head, and poured a little into her mouth to keep her hydrated.

Yukari furrowed her eyebrows as Miho brushed hair out of her face.

Miho sat down, looking at the door before checking it out.

She raised her hand to the door handle and twisted it, opening the door to the outside.

She looked around outside, looking down at a frozen lake and snow-covered trees all around.

Miho closed the door, complying with what the stranger wrote them.

She looked back at Yukari, who rolled over on the cot.

Yukari slowly opened her eyes as Miho rushed over to her.

"Akiyama." Miho said.

Yukari looked up at Miho, smiling. A small smile but a smile regardless.

"Hi." She said weakly.

"How do you feel?" Miho asked.

"Terrible. Where are we?" Yukari asked.

"I don't know. The guy who saved us left a note to stay until he came back." Miho said.

"Is that door locked?" Yukari asked.

"No."

"Good." She said, sitting up.

"What's that smell? It smells good." Yukari said.

"I cooked some tomato soup to help warm you up." Miho said.

"Give me some, please." Yukari said.

The two sat together, enjoying the warm soup.

Miho grabbed her Boko bear, holding it tight as Yukari laughed.

"I see you have another one for your collection." Yukari said.

Miho smirked.

"Yeah..."

They were quiet for a while.

"Where's my guns?" Yukari asked.

"Over there." Miho said.

Yukari stood up as Miho quickly stood up to grab her.

"You need to rest." Miho said.

"He oiled them for me? I like this guy already." Yukari said, holding up her rifle.

Miho frowned, wanting Yukari to stop but bit her tongue.

Yukari sat back down after checking her rifle.

"I feel tired and sore." Yukari said.

"Lay down and sleep. I'll take care of it here." Miho said.

Yukari laid down, wrapped herself up, and closed her eyes, lightly snoring rather quickly.

Miho sat down, staring at the glowing fire.

After a while, Miho looked around the house, peeking into a bedroom.

She looked at a picture of a group of soldiers standing attention.

Each one had a dull and void look in their eyes as they stood in the desert.

Their patches were the Canadian flag one their left arms.

The other patch was grey with a big horned ram above a fort with a 3 below.

Beside the picture were several medals. Each old but preserved.

On the other side of the room, a revolver sat on a desk, dismantled, showing some wear from heavy use.

Miho went back to Yukari and sat down on the couch, eventually laying down and slowly feeling tired as she stared at the fire.