The Huntsman

Chapter 3 - Savior or Executioner

Nippy wasn't the word for it. A cold, blustery wind cut through and around the tree trunks in an endless barrage of coldness. It was only late afternoon, but already the sky had darkened up and I feared that a storm was coming.

The stiff, cold, I could handle as long as I kept moving, but if it started to snow and I got wet I would be doomed. In vain I looked about for a place of refuge, but none was offered.

I would have to make camp out in the open if I didn't find something quick. There were no evergreens here, though. I had found them to be the best places to stop for the night because of the coverage the branches offered.

In the distance through the sparse forest naked of leaves I saw a green belt of color up ahead and huffing out exhaust I headed for it. It had been three days since I'd left the truck and the best I could say was that I was managing.

I had eaten the last food bar this morning though, and the bleakness of a cold night without food was already settling heavily upon me. At least I would have a fire. That was something.

And I was free. That was the main thing. I could be grateful for both, even if other needs, namely my stomach weren't being satisfied.

I reached the pines and searched about for a likely spot. I untied the handsaw I had brought from the truck and quickly cut a hole in the understory of a pine no more than 15 feet tall. I made a teepee out of it, sort of.

I then interlaced some of the cut branches overhead of the opening to act as a bit of an awning and the rest of them, I piled up against the base of the tree to serve as my bed. That done, I went about gathering wood, even as snowflakes began falling all around.

It had gotten much darker and I feared for the night I was in for. I gathered twice as much wood as I had the other nights.

With the driest pieces of wood I set about trying to get it lit with some trash from the truck and a cigarette lighter I had found in the glove box. Even though I was sheltered in against the tree as I was, it was still difficult to get the flames to catch hold with the wind currents milling around making strange turbulences. The flames did catch though, just about the time my fingers holding the lighter felt ready to fall off.

Worriedly I fed the flames and the fire got bigger. An inch of snow had fallen outside already. Did I have enough wood?

Worse yet, how many more fires would I be able to make with the lighter? It had started to flicker on me at the end. Did it have enough in it for even one more fire?

The fire well ablaze I huddled back from it and sat up against the uncomfortable surface of the tree trunk. I covered my legs as best as I could with the blanket and sat shivering, waiting for the fire to do the miraculous and make me warm. With time it began to happen, but it was a painfully slow process.

Shaking I clasped my numb fingers together and buried my face against my knees and cried as the snow piled up outside now in earnest. I'd fought a silent war against God in the past few days.

I'd been making out for myself so well the thought of staying on my own had presented itself as a wish in the back of my mind. I hadn't asked God to make it become a reality, but I had been entertaining the thought. Now however that wish was dead and done and over with.

I didn't want to be on my own anymore. I wanted to be with the man with warm hands. At the very least, of all he might offer me, I knew that he would at least keep me warm. Sobbing against my knees I begged, "Please God, send him to me quickly! I...... I don't want to be alone!"

"You weren't created to be alone Tamara and yet, in your own way, you have been for far too long. I've heard your plea and already answered it. Tomorrow, stay where you are and do not leave until it is time to follow."