The Long Dark- A Journey Through Frozen Hell

Hell and Back

Miho and Yukari got to meet the team at Suzuki Radio Telescope.

There was Doctor Richard Cleft, the one who was armed. He is their researcher specialized in Spectroscopy.

Doctor Ken Solomon, their medical doctor and biologist.

There was Doctor Jake Williams, their youngest researcher and meteorologist.

Stacy Green wasn't a researcher but their intern. She did have a degree in nursing, so in case Solomon couldn't help you, Stacy could try.

Doctor Atwood, who no one knew what she specialized in, but she seemed to know everything.

Solomon took a blood sample from every dog, curious about their docile behavior when every other animal is trying to kill them.

The dogs were just dogs. They were playing with the doctor, licking his pant leg, jumping on him, being man's best friend.

"These dogs are... normal." Solomon said.

"Hmm... perhaps after thousands of years of domestication, we've bred out their wolf instincts and replaced it with undying loyalty." Dr. Cleft said.

"Truly remarkable." Dr. Williams said.

"So how did you meet Jeremiah?" Atwood asked.

"Well, I left Milton, and I saw him being attacked by a bear. He was hurt, but I managed to get him stable." Miho said.

"Oh, that damn bear. It's nothing but a myth." Williams said.

"No. It's true. I don't know about the legend but this bear. It was bigger than any I had ever seen before. I killed it, though." Miho said, trailing her voice.

The researchers looked at each other and went back to their work.

"You should get rest. You will need to get your friend here so Doctor Solomon can heal him. Then, you will need to activate the radio towers." Atwood said.

...

Early the next morning, the two girls set out.

With a full belly, warm, and well rested, they could carry on longer.

The determination to save Vaughn was greater than getting off of the island.

"Miho, what will you do when we get back home?" Yukari asked.

"The first thing I am going to do is enjoy the warm sun. I am tired of freezing out here."

"What of we have to go to Pravda?"

"No. I will not go to Pravda anymore. It's too cold and it's terrible." Miho said, causing Yukari to laugh.

As the sled mushed on, the ravens that crowed above suddenly went quiet and landed on branches, not moving a feather.

Miho and Yukari noticed as Yukari grabbed her rifle, scanning around, trying to find the ominous threat.

Miho made it onto a road and followed it for a little bit until they came upon a wreck.

Three cars had crashed into each other, scattering debris and the wreckage all over the road.

As they maneuvered through the wreckage, passing a wrecked truck, two arms wrapped around Miho.

She gripped onto the sled and screamed as a man tried to pull her off.

Four more convicts jumped up from their hiding spots and ran towards the sled.

"Mush! Mush!" Miho screamed as Yukari raised her rifle at the closest man.

The convict stopped in his tracks and stepped back when the sled jerked, making her lose her aim and fall.

The sled quickly ran out of the wreckage as Miho struggled against the man who had a hold on her.

The man grabbed Miho's wrist, trying to pry them off when Yukari grabbed a ski and raised it, hitting the man on the top of the head.

He yelled, punching Miho in the side a few times before Yukari struck him again.

Still, he held on as Miho started losing her grip.

They made some distance when Miho slipped, hitting the ground and rolling.

The convict quickly got up and tackled her, holding her down easily.

The convict grabbed a handmade knife hidden under his uniform and held it to Miho's neck.

She stopped struggling as the convict shushed her.

"Don't worry, it won't hurt a bit." He said sadistically, tracing the knife along her cheek.

Miho felt a shiver down her spine when a shot rang out, and the man yelped, leaning over while gripping his side.

"Hurry!" Yukari said, holding her rifle.

Miho turned to see the convicts running towards her as she stumbled back to the sled.

"Mush!" She yelled as the dogs ran, getting them away from the attackers.

Miho checked herself, noticing the large bloodstain on her coat.

She breathed heavily as they hurried.

"Miho, I'm down to my last bullets." Yukari said.

Miho calmed down when they made it quite a distance as the sun slowly set.