Snowbound

4

Miranda woke up the next morning and she sat up. She looked at Ben who was still sleeping deeply.

After his words last night, she knew she was going to leave. He said that he would have a better chance of survival without her and she did not want to hold him back. It was bad enough that she got him into this.

Finding a sturdy stick, to support her hurt leg, she wrapped up and began on her walk down the mountain.

"No, don't follow me okay," she said to the dog as she started walking.

Pausing she snapped her fingers pointing to where the plane was. "You stay with Ben," she instructed.

The dog stared at her and Miranda gave in after a while. "Fine, you can come. I guess I could use the company."

Ben's eyes fluttered open as the morning light filtered through the window of the plane. He stretched, yawning, only to realize that the space beside him was empty. "Miranda? Are you up?" he called out, his voice tinged with a hint of worry.

When he got no response he looked around. Thinking she went to the bathroom. "Miranda?" He called out again.

Crawling out of the plane, he stood. "Miranda!" But he saw nothing. Not even the dog.

Going back inside, and fumbling around, his heart sank as he discovered a note lying nearby. His hands trembled as he unfolded it, his eyes racing over Miranda's hastily scrawled words.

"Ben, I am truly sorry I got you into this and I don't want to be the dead weight keeping you down, but I can't just sit here. I'm going to get help. I wish you luck. Please, don't worry. - Miranda"

"No, Miranda, wait!" Ben exclaimed, his voice quivering with concern and frustration. He scrambled out of the plane, calling her name into atmosphere but all he got was echoes of his desperate calls.

Miranda trudged through the snow. She was freezing cold. Use to the warmth of the fire, this air was so harsh against her face.

She walked for 20 minutes so far and her leg was throbbing. "Come here boy let's take a break." She said sitting in the snow. She pulled her camera out and took pictures of the nature. Also stealing a few of the dog.

Ben sat down in the plane and looked around. He hated this feeling gnawing at his chest. Something could happen to her and she barely could walk let alone run.

They were supposed to be in this together. He didn't mean the words he said. He was just frustrated. He wrestled for a while on what he should do before deciding to go after her.

Ben grabbed as many supplies as he could. He made sure to pack the little food, lighters, and her medical bag. He wrapped up tightly as he set off after her. Her and the dog's footprints were still embedded in the snow.

Miranda got up from her break and began to take steps. She was tired, to say the least, but now was not the time to feel that.

As she trekked through the snow, she heard a distant call of her name. Stopping she turned to find Ben trudging through the snow. His figure became clearer the closer he got.

"Miranda," his voice echoed as he closed the distance between them.

"Benjamin,"

"You didn't even say goodbye," he said sadly as he pulled her into a tight hug. Their faces pressed against one another. He kissed her head and squeezed her tighter.

"I was trying to give you an out. I'm dead weight,"

"No, you're not. I'm sorry about last night. I was just frustrated. I care about our safety."