Enter The Storm

From Bad to Worse

I woke up as the sun was rising, looking around to see- .. Where did Delilah go? "Delilah? .. Delilah?" I called, looking around.. Nothing. The fire was still going, though, so that was something. I felt my stomach growling as I winced.. Wish I had packed something.. I sighed, putting my hands in my coat pockets, just to feel something.. What was- ... Salted meat? .. Elisa.. "Little girl, you are a guardian angel." I said, eating just enough to keep me going before getting back out there.

Okay, so I have to hurry. No time to waste.. Now, I have 4 people to find. Autumn, Winston, Emily, and now, Delilah. I mean, it's not like I'm just gonna find them within the next five minutes or- .. Wait.. Buzzards? But, it's so cold.. Why would they- ... Please be a dead deer.. I ran towards where the scavengers were circling before stopping dead in my tracks "N-No, no, no.. Winston!" I said, seeing the half eaten remains of the once honest man.. Oh, no.. What if it was his blood covering those wolves yesterday??

I fell to my knees, putting my head down.. Winston was the first person in the house that was actually nice to me when Autumn brought me over.. He was like an uncle to me.. "I'll make this right, Winston.. I promise.." I said, taking the backpack he had escaped with and covering his body in snow since I didn't have time to give him a proper burial.. Why didn't the pack protect him from the fall?! Tears made their way down my cheeks as I looked back one more time.. This was all my fault.. Winston.. I'm so sorry..

Okay.. Now, I had to find help. I had no choice.. I saw what appeared to be run down village homes.. Yes! Maybe someone could help! I ran down into the village, going to one of the houses, seeing that- .. Nobody was here.. "Hello?? Is anyone here??" I called, looking around every house I could get into, even the ones I couldn't.. Just took climbing through the windows.. That's when I smelled something horrible, coughing like crazy. I covered my nose and mouth with my jacket. It smelled like decaying flesh!

When I finally mustered the courage to open the door, the smell nearly knocked me off my feet. A dead woman, still in the bed, clutching a piece of paper.. What was it? I gently took it, seeing that it was a note..

"Dear, mama.

Do not worry, I will bring you everything you need to get better. I will go find Emily, we will get you better, mama. You'll be okay. I promise, I will be careful and you can finally be proud of me. Please, know that I love you and I will return. Please, don't go to sleep.. Please, hold on.. I love you, mama. I love you so much.

Love, your daughter, Elisa."

I looked down, putting the letter back in the woman's hand.. So, this was Elisa's mom.. Crap, how can I tell her this??