Life and Death

Chapter 1: Signs

The sled zooms down the hill, as Kalex and his young brother, Kemva, hold on to the edges. Snow flies up around them and into the sled, creating a sludgy mixture in the bottom. They release a joyful squeal as they crash into a large snow mound. They both laugh and drag the sled back up to the top of the hill.

"Kalex! Kemva! Come inside! It's about to snow! You don't want to get trapped out there!" Their Mother yells out the front door.

"Just one more go?" Kalex yells back.

"No Kalex!"

"Fine."

The two boys walk slowly, accepting that playtime is over. They are just visible from the front door. Small flakes begin to fall. The boys are halfway to the door when the snow becomes too tall to see them. Every once in awhile their heads peak above the surface. Then, nothing can be seen.

"Kalex, I'm scared. I can't see anything."

"It's okay Kemva. Hold my hand. I'll take you home."

"Can you see Kalex?"

"No Kemva, but I know where we're going."

"Kalex I'm cold. I can't feel my toes."

"Don't worry Kemva. It's okay. We're almost there."

"Kalex look up, I see a light."

"No Kemva it's just the snow. Here take my jacket."

"But then you'll be cold."

"Don't worry about me Kemva just put it on."

"Ka-Kalex where's home?"

"I don't know Kemva let's just sit and see if we can wait it out."

"But we'll die!"

"No Kemva if we keep walking we will. We'll use up all our energy."

"Kalex it's cold."

"I know. Here, I have a hand warmer in my pocket. Use it."

"But then you'll b-be cold"

"Kemva I'll punch you if you don't use it."

"Fine. But what if you freeze to death?"

"You want to know a secret Kemva?"

"Ye-yeah!"

"I'm actually a polar bear. I don't feel cold. Don't tell mom though okay?"

"You b-bet Ka-Kalex!"

"Now use my snow pants, Kemva, to stay warm."

"O-Okay."

Kalex sits with Kemva in his lap, Kemva wearing all Kalex's winter clothes. Yet Kemva still shakes uncontrollably. Kalex is even colder, but doesn't show it, to allow Kemva to believe the polar bear thing.

"Kalex I can't feel anything."

"Hold on. Someone will help us soon."

"K-k-k-k-k-Kalex I'm really cold."

"I know Kemva. It's even too cold for a polar bear out here."

"B-b-b-but you're a p-p-polar bear."

"Yeah Kemva I am."

"Kalex w-w-w-when will s-s-someone be h-here to h-h-help us?"

"S-s-soon. Little b-b-buddy."

"I'm n-n-not little. I'm al-almost f-f-five."