The Long Dark- A Journey Through Frozen Hell

Preparation

Miho and Yukari finished organizing the inside of Vaughn's house as he returned, stacking wood in the wood bin outside by the house.

Vaughn walked to the shed, whistling to his dogs as they ran over to him and ate their dog food.

Vaughn returned to the house and walked in as Miho and Yukari finished organizing his equipment.

Vaughn looked around his house, confused, unfamiliar with how organized it was.

"Mister Vaughn, I forgot to tell you, but thank you. For saving us." Miho said.

Vaughn nodded.

"No problem." He said.

"We mean it. Thank you." Yukari said.

He smirked before returning to a straight face and took off his coat and gloves.

He hung them up and walked towards the table.

He sat down and pulled his mukluk boots, leaning back and pulling off his thick brown overalls.

He looked up as Miho and Yukari watched, quickly turning back and finishing their work.

"Thank you for organizing that. I've been meaning to do that for a while." He said.

"You're welcome, Mister Vaughn." Miho said.

He hummed and stared at the table.

"Is there something on your mind?" Yukari asked.

"There is. I thought the wolves would be trouble enough. I never expected the prisoners at Blackrock to make it worse." He said.

"What would we do if they came here?" Yukari asked.

Vaughn looked up and met Yukari's eyes.

"We'll deal with that when we get there. Right now, we have more immediate problems. There's a wolf pack lurking nearby. Usually, wolves don't bother people, but lately, they've been acting weird."

"I happen to know from personal experience." Miho said.

"Me too." Yukari said.

"Well, in that case, you know what I'm talking about. I'm worried about them attacking my dogs. That dog sled is the only way out of here." Vaughn said.

"The only way out?" Yukari asked.

"The fastest way anyways. Even then, it's a few days before we even get to the nearest town." Vaughn said.

"It would be longer if we walk on foot or try to get through the mountains." Miho said.

"Correct. So, the health of those dogs is top priority." Vaughn said.

"You said the nearest town is a few days out. Where is that at?" Yukai asked.

"Coastal townsite. It's more of a neighborhood surrounding a gas station. The last time I was there, I was getting supplies when the power went down. I haven't been back since, and I don't know the state of it. With the convicts loose, it wouldn't suprise me if it was nothing more than a pile of ashes." Vaughn said.

"We have to find a way off this island. We need to get back to the mainland." Miho said.

Vaughn stayed silent, glancing at the floor and to the wall before returning to meet Yukari's and Miho's gaze.

"Do you know anybody named Atwood?" Yukari asked.

"No, the name doesn't ring a bell." Vaughn said.

Yukari and Miho looked at each other.

"We have to find Doctor Atwood." Yukari said.

Miho nodded as Vaughn looked at the confused.

"Who the hell is Doctor Atwood?" Vaughn asked.

Yukari looked at Miho, who slowly nodded.

Yukari turned to look at Vaughn and inhaled.

"We think that Atwood could be the key to getting us out of here." Yukari said.

"How?" Vaughn asked.

"She is at a location where the aurora doesn't affect the electrical grid. Therefore, she has a radio we can use to call for assistance."

"Not effected by the aurora? How's that possible?"

"It's shielded against electromagnetic radiation, so it shouldn't affect it. The problem is, we don't know where it is. We need your help to find it."

Vaughn looked at both of them and to the wall.

He was silent, contemplating the decision.

"Who would you even call?" He asked.

"I was with the rescue expedition before we got attacked. We were supposed to radio in on the situation, but we never got the chance to. If I get to radio them in, the entire rescue force will come in with everything, including the Peacekeepers to bring order."

Vaughn looked up at Yukari.

"Alright, Akiyama. Let's try to find where that "Atwood" is." He said.

"Do you have a map?" Miho asked.

Vaughn stood up and walked into his room, coming back holding a map.

He set it on the table, revealing the entire island of Great Bear.

"We are here." He said, pointing at an empty section of the map by a winding river.

"We are all the way out there?" Miho asked.

"Yep. The coastal highway is here. About a hundred clicks east. It'll take us about three days to get there, three days back through winding wilderness, unpredictable river floodings, wildlife, and now convicts."

"Would there be anything there to help us?" Miho asked.

"Maybe in the Quonset garage. My supplies are running low, so I'd have to go there eventually." He said.

"When will we be leaving?" Yukari asked.

"I'm not sure about all of us leaving. I don't know if I could take you both and bring back a lot of supplies. I'd have to leave someone here."

The two girls looked at each other and looked back at Vaughn.

"I'll go." Miho said.

"Miho -"

"You're still nursing that cold. It's not so bad now, but we can't take the chance." Miho said.

Yukari went silent and nodded.

"Alright, now that's planned, I'll make sure my things are ready. We'll head out in the morning." Vaughn said.

The sun slowly set over the snowy horizon as the dark enveloped the land.