An Alaskan Midnight

Chapter 4

Eddy woke up to the harsh wind striking his face. He moaned, trying to pull his hand to his face to stop the cold. Then he felt a hand stop him.

"Bro, keep your hand around your neck, or you're gonna fall off. You're hard enough to carry as it is," Brett snapped, straining to bring him to the house.

"I'm fine," Eddy tried to be tough. He slipped out of Brett's arms to walk on the snow.

He simply crumpled over, completely unable to use his legs. The burning sensation coursed through his fingers and toes again.

"Eddy, you're frostbitten. You can't walk," Brett rolled his eyes, stooping down to lift him up again.

Eddy gave up in trying to be tough, simply letting Brett bring him to the house.

Brett set Eddy down on a couch, finding a blanket and bandages. Gingerly he took off Eddy's boots, wrapping bandages around his feet.

"What are the bandages for?" Eddy asked. He had never been in an extreme cold climate, and definitely had never been frostbitten.

"To keep them still so there's no more damage. With frostbite, ice crystals form in your tissues, which can damage you more if you move around too much."

Then Brett proceeded to wrap Eddy's fingers. He threw a blanket over him and walked away. "Go to sleep," he muttered. "I don't want to get in trouble with the research team for you getting sick."

Eddy nodded, turning his head and falling asleep.

When he woke up, he saw Brett walk in, carrying a couple of sacs. "What are those?" Eddy asked out of curiousity.

"More fish," he answered. "You seemed fine, and you'd been sleeping for a good four hours, so I went quick to get more. How are your fingers and toes?"
Eddy moved them. "They feel better."
"Good," Brett answered. "We'll take it easy, but we'll need to take care of these fish before they go bad." He motioned for Eddy to follow him. Eddy jumped up. He still felt a little pain in his feet, but not nearly as bad.

Eddy came into a small kitchen. A gas stove was in the corner, along with tiny, cramped cabinets. In the middle was a large counter, with salted meats hanging from the ceiling.
"Alright," Brett said, dumping the fish onto the counter. "So, it's pretty simple. Cut the fish along the belly, take out the guts, and chop off the head. Keep the heads though; you never know if we'll run short of food. Then, here's some salt, after putting the fish in this bucket of water to rinse the filets off, rub the salt on them. Then hang it up. Simple!" Brett started cutting away.

Eddy, on the other hand, was hesitant. He held the knife shakily in his hand, grabbing one of the fish. Nervously he cut into its belly. Then he saw blood. He felt squeamish, but he had to keep going. Then, when he approached the stomach, a clear fluid gushed out. Eddy jumped back, crying, "I can't do this!"

Brett rolled his eyes. "Boy are we going to have a fun time." He set his knife down. "Alright, I'll help with this one, but I want you to watch so you get less squeamish." He gutted the fish for Eddy. Eddy felt sick to his stomach, but he knew he had to do it himself soon. He handed the filets to Eddy. "Alright, wash them off and salt them."

Shakily Eddy rinsed them, then rubbed salt on the filets.

Brett looked over. "You think you're ready?"
Eddy nodded, but he felt anything but ready. Trembling, he cut into another fish. When it spewed the liquid, he looked away. As he gutted it, he saw tiny pearls in its stomach. "Are those fish eggs?"

Brett nodded and smiled. "Good find, perfect for dinner tonight!" Happily he scoooped out the eggs and put them in a pot. "If you see any more of those, put them in the pot. They make an awesome stew!"

Eddy took care of the filets. Then he moved on to the next one. He still felt nauseous, but at least it wasn't as bad.

Before he knew it, they had finished.

"Alright," Brett smiled. "I think that's enough for today. I'll take care of the stew." He walked over to the stove, throwing in water, flour, and fish and heating the pot.

Eddy just stood there, admiring Brett. He was the toughest man he had ever seen. Yet, the most lovable.

Brett finished the stew, serving some to Eddy. They walked together into the livingroom and ate. It was still silent, but at least Brett wasn't avoiding him anymore. Maybe... he approved of Eddy now? Eddy's heart burst at the thought that Brett would accept him.