A stabbing pain radiated from his side. Ted looked down and put his hand over where it hurt. But as he pulled his hand away there was no blood. He lifted his shirt, and there wasn't even a mark.

He rubbed the back of his neck in confusion. "Well isn't that just the craziest thing." He mused.

Then with a shrug, he added. "I guess I must have just pulled something...or something like that. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."

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Ted picked up the backpack at his feet. He must have dropped it some time when the pain shot through him. He hoisted it onto his back, and to his relief, the pain didn't increase at all. It just sat there and throbbed, like a knife stuck in his side.

He took in a deep breath. The cold air stung at his nostrils and reminded him that he was alive. It felt so crisp and sharp, like a slap in thr face to make sure he was awake this morning.

And with that extra burst of energy he walked forward all alone. Luckily the snow wasn't that deep yet, but his shoes did disappear wiyj each step he took.

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Meanwhile, his body was still sprawled out under Nugget. Her stump of a leg was pressing into his side, but both of them seemed to be sleeping peacefully despite that.