Winter Prey

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Although she half expected it, the eerie howl that shattered the early-morning peacefulness and beauty crawled over Kymbria's skin like scurrying spider legs. Her mouth dried, and her gloved hands clenched the snowmobile controls so tightly she could feel the grooves in the hard plastic through the thick warmth. Her gaze searched ahead, since even though the howl echoed on all sides, she felt sure the beast was waiting up near the cave she and Jason had found that day.

The cave that lay up the rise in front of her, a rise she would have to walk up, since it was far too steep for the snowmobile to navigate.

She parked the snowmobile and swung off to strap on her snowshoes. She zipped her flashlight into a snowsuit pocket even though she didn't need it in the pre-dawn moonlight reflecting on the snow.

The animal howled again, a hint of impatience in the sound. When the echoes faded, a silence as deep as a grave descended. Before she started up the rise, Kymbria stood for a moment, allowing her senses free rein as she repeated the prayer for entering the land of souls.

"Adam?" she murmured, though the Midé had been dead for a decade now. "I trust you're with me. I hope I remember all the things you taught me. This might be my destiny, but I truly hope it's just one of those mountains in my life path that I'll climb over. That I'll be able to continue onward after this confrontation." She paused and continued in a heartfelt voice that entreated the deceased Midé, "That I'll return to my daughter, to Risa, after this is done."

She closed her eyes briefly and visualized Risa: her dancing eyes when she was happy, her pursed lips and the frown on her face as she contemplated a taste of something new Kymbria gave her. Her giggles and reaching arms when she woke up in the morning and saw her mother standing over her crib.

Yes, even that dimple in only one cheek, a likeness from Rick, her father.

"But if this is to be the one final mountain, the one I can't climb," Kymbria continued, "the one that ends this life, then I hope you are waiting on the edge of the afterlife to guide me. And will help guide me in learning how to watch over Risa from over there as my mother raises her."

Something whispered across her mind, and Kymbria concentrated and caught it. You are not sure of your own strength. None of us are. Always remember, though, that the spirits direct our paths, our destiny. And remember: Fill your heart with good. Choose selflessness over selfishness, good over evil. Upright then will be your life and against evil you will prevail.

"Adam," she repeated. "Thank you for being with me."

She took a deep breath, then reached inside her snowsuit for the spirit bundle and untied the knot that held the thong around her neck. Before she could change her mind or consider whether or not it was the right decision, she followed her instincts and pulled the bundle free. She studied it for a long moment, then gently laid it on the leather seat. After she removed her helmet and dropped it in the snow, Kymbria started her climb up the rise.