Warmth.

It was the first feeling that came to me when I awoke. A soft groan escaped my lips. The pain was still relevant to me; my arm and leg were numb. Opening my eyes revealed that I was not stranded in the forest or covered by its snow. No, I was surrounded by a comforter as I lay on a couch.

I wanted to get up, move about, and figure out where I was. I cursed this pain that flowed throughout my entire being. Just trying to sit up is a hassle. I guess I pushed things too far, trying to fight wolves after falling off a cliff.

Even though I am safe, I still have questions. Right now, I would like to know who saved me. As if summoned by my thoughts, I heard a door open. The sound of footsteps echoed.

Granted, I’d like to have some faith in my fellow man, but you never know how people act nowadays. The one who I assumed saved my life came around the couch corner. Not a word was spoken to me. I watched as the person took their long winter coat off before hanging it on a hanger beside the fireplace.

From what I could tell, they were male as they stood there warming their hands. His physique was visible through the sweater he wore. His broad shoulders told me he did a lot of lifting. I’m curious whether it was because he lived out here or just from working out.

He had long black hair that flowed past his shoulders. I watched him straighten himself out before turning to face me. I can tell now that he was of indigenous descent, possibly Inuit. He was a seasoned fellow with a beard that was still full and covered by his jawline. I can see the white hairs growing on his head and face already. I assume he was close to my age but just shy of a year younger.

His skin was a warm beige, and his face had few wrinkles. His charcoal eyes stared at me briefly until the man finally spoke up.

“I see you are awake. You were in rough shape when we found you.” It was then I heard a bark. Fear went through me as I was ready to protect myself from an attack as I’d done before. But my fear was slightly misplaced as a giant Alaskan Malamute walked over and sat beside his master/owner. To my eyes, the beast was more wolf than a dog, but seeing the man pet the dog on the head alleviated my fears. I shall assume he has properly trained them, hopefully.

“Had gone back to investigate what almost did you in. Imagine my surprise to see two dead wolves lying in their blood. There were tracks of another, but it seems you scared it off. That’s impressive for a man your age.”

I was positive this man couldn’t have been that much younger than me. His voice was gruff, and his accent came in and out as he spoke. I tried to talk, but my mouth was dry. I was running on fumes when fighting those wolves. The man held his hand as he saw me try to speak, seeming to know my situation.

“Don’t bother. You have noticeable signs of dehydration. Here.” He handed me a canteen. Taking it, I slowly sat up with a grimace. This pain that ailed me was being a bitch to deal with. However, I am a man worth my mettle and would not let such a thing keep me from surviving. Through a grimace, I managed to sit up enough to intake the precious liquid in the canteen. As if I suffered life in a drought, I drank all the water held within. As I finished, I couldn’t stop the gasp that came out before wiping my mouth. I returned the canteen to the man while noticing the tiniest smirk on his face. I didn’t realize watching a man drink as if his life depended on it was amusing.

“Thank you,” I said at last after getting my bearings. My voice was low and still a little hoarse, but it would have to do. “I… do not know how I can repay such gratitude. I would have most certainly died out there.”

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“Fret not. No one deserves to die alone during the coldest time of the year. Especially one who can fight off three predators alone.” He stated while moving past the couch to a table off the side. It didn’t help my nerves that the… dog sat still on its haunches, watching me. I heard the man, whose name I still did not know, call out to me again as he came back with a familiar item to me.

“I have no doubt people would miss you, Isaac T. Jameson. Proprietor of JJ Medical. One of the most successful independent medical and health care insurance companies, as well as running one of the most successful hospitals within Canada.” He held my wallet and passport in his hands. The nervous feeling I had before came back full throttle. This man knew me or knew of me. What exactly is it that he could want? One doesn’t just state information like that unless they have a bone to pick with you or like your help.

“W-what do you want with me?” I curse the stutter that comes out of my mouth. Of all the times to show weakness, now wasn’t one of them. I cannot let him control the situation around me.

“Nothing. At least, not right now.” I watched as he pulled a chair over and sat it in front of me before sitting down. He leaned forward with his eyes piercing into mine. “You’re a significant person to the right people. Right now, it benefits both of us to keep you alive and safe. Not that I wouldn’t have done so if I hadn’t found out who you were; it just makes it more complicated now.”

“What’s complicated in helping an old man live to see his next sunrise?” I had to question this. While, yes, I am essential to my company and my family…

Family—that is a thought-provoking word. I felt my head pound from phantom pain as a memory flashed within my mind’s eye. There I stood with my niece, telling her something. Words flowed through my mouth, but it was too foggy to know what they were. I could see her face light up in surprise before she hugged me, tears flowing through her eyes, and a happy smile after we separated.

Then shouting occurred. Multiple men in varying clothing approached us, but one stood out the most, yet I couldn’t discern why. Then the pain came, and the sensation of falling and another scream.

“UNCLE!”

A gasp escaped my mouth, and my hand went to the back of my head. Idly, I noticed there was some stitching there. It seems my savior did more for me than I realized.

“Is the stitching coming loose?” The man asked as he approached the other side to look at my head. Despite his unknown intentions for me, he doesn’t seem to be a man who’d cause harm to a wounded man.

“No, just a headache.” That seemed to ease his worry before I sat up, feeling better than I had earlier. Still, I have more issues now, with some of my memories returning to me as I recover. Something happened between my son and me that caused Sonya to be in the middle of the drama. I need to find out what happened, but I feel weakened still. It would not be reasonable to rush out there without knowing the land I am in.

“You should take this time to relax, Isaac. You can’t heal your injuries after one night of rest.”

“You know my name, yet my savior hasn’t introduced himself. Forgive my wariness if I don’t jump at the chance of resting after what I’ve been through.” The man nodded his head at my sound logic. Who wouldn’t be wary of the person who saved them when they knew about you and you didn’t know a thing about them?

“Fair point. My name is Hanta,” He stopped when he heard a bark before turning and pointing to the wolf-dog, “and that’s Atka. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Isaac. I do hope that we can work well together and that you come to trust me. My intentions are not malicious when I chose to help you. Once you’ve recovered enough, we can discuss what I wish to discuss.” I nodded before watching his whistle to the hound, with the wolf-dog listening to the call and moving next to his master’s side. He grabbed a rifle above the fireplace before putting his coat back on.

“Rest easy now. I’m going to find us some dinner. If the fire gets low, there’s firewood in that chest over there. I shouldn’t be gone for long.” I nodded before sitting back down as the man and his canine companion left the cabin. Despite the good faith shown to me, I still cannot help but be wary of what he wishes to speak to me about. I do not have the time to sit around and wait, yet I can do nothing else but that.

Sonya, I hope you are safe wherever you are and that nothing terrible has happened. Maybe you are out there searching for me? If so, I hope you find me soon. For now, I shall take the advice and continue to rest. My back is killing me.