T. R. F. A. P. A. T. H. W. T. G.

Chapter 13: The Cold Shoulder

Richard sat in the snow, looking over a frozen lake. The patches of steel were smaller and the glass wounds began to heal in a way, though they were everpresent. He looked down at his hands. He could curl his fingers again. He felt the softness of the snow and the smooth texture of the ice, but in a dulled sense. They were still steel.

"Ahem!"

He looked up to see a band of businessmen. They were made of snow and had coal for eyes. The representative reached out for a handshake; an amiable gesture. Richard looked back down.

Representative: "I'm guessing you don't do handshakes."

Richard: "Who are you?"

Representative: "We want you to come with us, sir."

Richard: "Okay."

Representative: "What?"

Richard got up.

Representative: "You're not going to scream or run?"

Richard: "No. I'm not really inclined to."

Representative: "Huh. This is new. We've never met someone so agreeable."

The businessmen began to banter amongst themselves. They were all perplexed by Richard's compliance. They didn't know that he was just extremely bored.

Richard: "Are you guys going to take me or not?"

Representative: "Oh, excuse us, sir. Follow us."

The group led Richard through the snow. The turbulence didn't have any ill effect on them. The businessmen didn't exactly walk like normal bipedal creatures. They waddled in a synchronized fashion. It was adorable.

Richard: "So, where do you guys come from?"

They continued waddling silently.

Richard: "California? Are you from there? I'm a pretty big California fan. I'd move there if I could. I heard it was a couple degrees warmer there. Have you guys ever been to Detroit? Anyone?"

They didn't respond.

Richard: "Uh, neither have I. What was I saying? Oh, yeah. Detroit. Anyway, I-"

Representative: "We are here."

Richard: "Okay, um, where is 'here'?"

Representative: "Here is here. Here is where we are."

Richard entered a strange citadel. Within the 5-story walls of snow, small huts and igloos were scantily scattered across the camp with men and women shoveling snow. They only looked down. A being with green skin and jet black eyes, a man with broken wings, and other strange beings shoveled beside them. A few trucks with worn plows collecting snow roamed the streets. A snowman wearing a pastel blue top hat dwarfed the citadel's very walls. The doors closed behind Richard.

Representative: "Welcome to our Lord Frosty's labor camp!"

Upon saying this, the businessmen dematerialized. A single, bright red shovel was left in their wake. Richard looked around. These beings were miserable, quite obviously kept against their will, and forced to complete tedious tasks perpetually. It was akin to the fast food industry. Richard found the shovel bound to him with a crystal shackle.

Richard: "Hey, uh, I'm new here! Anyone want to help me out?"

Not even a glance was spared on Richard's account. He felt defeated as he walked to a random pile of snow. His shovel dragged along the ground. He stood before the pile. A large hand rested on his shoulder. A stone behemoth towered over him. Claw marks, cracks and chips, and overall degradation were worn by him proudly.

Behemoth: "That's my pile, buddy. Get your own."

Richard: "Okay."

Richard turned and threw a steel hook at the behemoth. Part of his chin chipped off, but otherwise, caused no ill effect. The behemoth wrapped his hand around Richard's neck and lifted him off the ground.

Behemoth: "Now comes the pain, buddy."

A larger, furry hand gripped the behemoth's wrist; forcing Richard's release. The behemoth was suddenly slammed into the ground repeatedly by the greater giant. He was blown to bits. The furred giant turned around. He was a bear.

Cabs: "Don't worry about him. He'll be fi-"

Richard: "Hey."

Cabs: "I almost didn't recognize you, Richard. How's, um, how's it going?"

Richard: "Okay I guess."

Cabs: "Well, don't worry. He'll be fine."

It's been an eternity since Richard lay eyes on Cabs, only to see him walk away in uncertainty. Richard kept shoveling. What else could he do?