As returned to the bedside, delivering a mug of water, as well as two steaming hot bowls, the liquid bubbling around the various chunks of food bobbing inside of them.

  “Stew often warms me up on very cold days like today,” As remarked, the background wind still wavering in deepness and pitch against the outside walls. Purposefully, he had lowered his more elevated brevity into something more casual, as to not confuse Wayne any further, making a mental note. He lowered the bowls delicately on a small bedside table. “These are very hot, so we need to wait for them to cool.” Wayne continuously stared, their attention only averted by the water being gestured into their lap. With a solemn breath, As continued, “I apologize, and you’re not going to like this, but I had set your bone in your foot while you were asleep.” he paused. “Since I neglected to splint it when I should have, and you were... understandably upset, I need to reset the bone.” Wayne did not want to hear this, almost on deaf ears the words fell in dismissal. “Now, I suggest we should do this procedure while the food is cooling, unless, of course, you would prefer to eat before be start.”

  Wayne took a large drink of water, dreading more unnecessary agony. This would need to be done, however, and he obliged.

  “Just get it over with.” Wayne said dreadfully.

  “Perfect. Now, this shouldn’t be as difficult for me as it was the first time. It should only take a moment. Let me get some things before we start.” With this, As exited the room, and after a short time, returned with three small bowls, a rag, a moderate amount of twine, a small flat piece of wood, and many small, straight sticks.

  Wayne felt a heaviness in his stomach. This wasn’t going to feel pleasant, he told himself. As went on to explain the process, explaining the uses of the three salves he had acquired, and what Wayne would need to do. First, As would apply a slight numbing medicine. After a few minutes, he would apply yet another similar salve, this one having deeper numbing properties, and finally an antiseptic would be given at the end to the area. Wayne knew what the rag would be used for.

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  After a handful of minutes, and a slightly grueling experience, it was complete. Wayne choked the food down, savoring its flavor in waves, finishing it in a minutes time. During the course of their meal, Wayne seldom spoke, simply filling his stomach with a mouthwatering mixture of broth, snake meat, and various vegetables. These vegetables, As commented, had been grown by his own hand during the seasons and kept fresh through the help of salt and ice. Following many helpings and glasses of water, Wayne finally felt as though he had been reinvigorated. At Wayne’s request, As had moved their winter gear, backpack, and other hiking accessories into the corner of the bedroom, boosting Wayne’s security in the fact that nothing had been tampered with nor stolen.

  Wayne had not opened up completely to As, however, despite As’ selflessness. He briefly mentioned his family, how worried sick he was for their well-being and their mental prosperity once they learned of his absence.

  “I just hope they’re alright,” Wayne said in a depressing voice just above a whisper. “That’s all.”

  “Their minds will be set on you no matter what,” As assured, the words ultimately not sounding as consoling as he had thought. “We’ll get you back to where you belong, Wayne, don’t fret. Please, do try to get some sleep. I’ll sleep in the other room on the divan; if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I won’t be bothered. Keep in mind that I leave in the morning for my daily chores, and I won’t be able to be here to accommodate you until the afternoon. If you need anything at all, please let me know before dawn. I will leave an extra quilt on the end of the bed in case you become cold. I’ll wake at five to prepare myself.”

  With this, As smothered the fire in the hearth, enveloping the room in opaque shadow. The floorboards sang as As exited the room, not wanting to be seen fumbling out to their temporary quarters in the dark.

  Wayne was more awake than he had ever been. Insomnia took hold as his eyes focused on the ceiling above, darting between the grooves and shapes in the wood, following them along. How could he sleep with this weight collapsing over top of him? His mental state drifted. He continuously envisioned mistakes, people, emotions, regrets, and everything in-between. The people he loved, for all he knew, were gone until his eyes closed for the last time. Not a stir came, as the darkness became translucent, the room illuminated by the moonlight bleeding over the walls—a blue hue. The night felt eternal, the senses muffled.

  Suddenly, a sound broke. The door to the cabin shut, leaving Wayne alone with his thoughts again until the sun was at its zenith.