White woods

1

We've all watched those cheesy movies about saving Christmas. But few actually know the work that goes into this holiday. The winter season has little warmth, the skies turn white, and snow covers the land. Animals hibernate; but they aren't hiding from the cold. Darkness comes with the frost that covers the land. So it is my job to keep the lights on; my job to fight the darkness. I may be one animal, but I know what I must do. My name is Mika, and it's my job to keep the dark at bay so you can enjoy you holiday.
I know, my job isn't as glamorous as Rudolph or all those other bucks. But what I do is fairly dangerous but mandatory.
I recall when it all started, when I was just two years old, after I left mom.
Life with her and my siblings was great; endless meat, warmth and everything. But I admit; it was getting stuffy in that cave, and mom wasn't there much anyways.
I had just caught my first rabbit. It was scrawny and old, but I was impressed with myself. I could live on my own without help.
After catching it, I picked it up in my mouth and started following the sound of the stream. Mom said that during the winter, everything looks similar. So you should stick by different land formations so it's harder to get lost.
The snow under paw was soft, and new; the first snowing this year.
I really wanted to just sit down and eat the rabbit I caught; enjoy chewing it's meat with my strong teeth. But it's too cold to sit; I must keep moving.
The river was just peeping through the aspen trees now. I headed more towards it, and soon I was walking along it's river banks. I was moving at a fast pace; I needed to find shelter before the night came. But I was careful not to fall in the snow. I saw a bird once, just walking around the river. The next moment, the snow collapsed underneath him and went into the river.
As I walked along, I couldn't help but enjoy the scenery. Sure, I had seen plenty of snow and aspen trees. But mom never let me wander this far, or close to a river.
Now I was free. No more family hunts, no more baths, and no more restrictions. It was up to me now, but it was my life. I was strong enough to defend myself; I'm a flipping snow leopard! I'm at the top of the food chain!
The thought made me grin. I'm sure any prey that would have saw me ran far away.
When I heard a sharp crack behind me, I stopped. The river's roar seemed to reduce to a swirling sound.
In a second, I switched from pride to fear. That's girls emotions for you.
I slowly turned my head, wishing I had mom or somebody with me. Even my brother Kodak.
In the middle of the river, was one of the strangest things I've ever seen. A huge, white wolf that seemed to be made of ice and snow stood in the middle. It's eyes gleamed like obsidian. The thin ice that had been forming in the river was now caught in a whirl pool around the wolf. The water just seemed to go up hill, then chase itself back down.
I had no idea what to do. Mom never said anything about White wolves standing in freezing cold rivers...
"Mika," The wolf said. His voice sounded like ice being stepped on, or snow being compacted.
I jumped. I wanted to run, every instinct told me to. But I was paralyzed by fear and curiosity.
"Mika." He said a little louder.
I just stared at him. It was rude, and probably was a threat to him, but I didn't know what else to do.
"I've said your name twice now. Will you answer?"
"I-I'm not sure I should talk to wolves, especially ones that come from the river magically."
He made a sound like two ice plates rubbing against each other that I guessed was laughing. "Smart one. Yes, stranger danger. I get it; you're only a cub."
I huffed, my breath like steam. "Who are you? Why are you freezing your tail in that water?"
"I am not freezing, dear." He said quickly. "I can freeze no more. For I am the embodiment of frozen; frost itself!"
"Then why would you be following me?" I was starting to get very nervous now. I was running out of comebacks, and the wolf's voice was cracking with agitation; like stepping on thin ice and feeling the cracks spread.
He took a step towards me, making the water shift.
"Why would I, be following an ordinary cat around?" His voice grew quiet. "I have much better things to do. I am very busy during this time of year. So, why?" He asked again, though it was aimed more at me.
I couldn't think of anything. I didn't even know who he was, besides maybe the snowball king.
There was little noise besides my breathing and the river's churning.
"Hmm. I thought so." He turned around, making the river twist more.
"Oh, and Mika," He said over his shoulder. "If you get to the ravine, don't turn left. It's not the right way to go."
Laughter filled the woods as the river pulled his particles away, then started flowing the correct way.