Why is it hot in here? I open my eyes, ash rises, wood and coals smolder around me, in a circle of warm steam, "What?" I

try to stand, but my legs ache. "Ah- shit!" I crawl just outside the circle, the chilled wind screams at me. I look over to some dry planks and reach for them. "Come on!" I swipe them and throw them in. I back up into the steam and

do my best to tear off my one of my jacket's torn sleeves.

I put the planks on my leg and wrap it tight. I fight the pain and stand. The wind blows through my hair and I can see through the steam. The dark clouds shadow all. The steam dies down and the wind breaks through. "Damn." I limp out and

a light dances in the distance.

Wait! The coals didn't burn me. Maybe? I pick up a coal. I did not imagine it, I'm not burning. I stuff coals into my

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pockets, jacket and pants and make a limp for it, up a snowy ramp. The winds push me over into the high snow.

I get back up and wince all the way to the next house. I lean on the upstairs window and almost stumble through. I crawl

in, "Hello?" The candle flickers in the dry home, only it's creaky halls answer. The wind whistles against the home, even now it

wears everything down.

I take a seat and look into the candle's flame. It whispers a song, no, a dance. I hum it's melodic dance, something pure,

peaceful. I hum and shut my eyes, imagine it play out, my loved ones live as ghosts. They dance to this melody and I let

myself cry.

I gasp awake, the flame went out. It's song is over. The wax spilled towards a fallen painting, So the railroad was

founded- The tracks! They must lead to where they were going, maybe they left a map! It's hard to think, even now my legs

ache. The walls creak and a series of snaps follow. Parts of the walls break apart, these gaps blow snow into the house.