I walked forward taking a step at a time as the wind attacked every inch of exposed skin. Sucking the warmth from every exposed pore as snow fell around me. Making my steps harder and harder with each passing minute.

I had to make it back to the cabin. I went too far this morning looking for wood, and now I was lost in this blizzard. It was so bad I couldn’t see ten feet in front of me.

I wouldn’t die this way. I had survived too much crap to just fall over and die from some blizzard. So, I kept moving forward one step at a time. I wouldn’t give up and die here. The cabin had to be around here somewhere.

‘CRACK!’

I froze in place and slowly looked down. I had been so focused on moving forward I hadn’t paid attention to where I was headed. What I saw when I looked down was ice.

But the only shallow ice on this island is near the coast. Wait, coast! How far have I been walking?

I froze up and stayed frozen in shock. I couldn’t feel my hands or feet and I could feel my core temp dropping with each passing second. I had to find shelter now or I’d die, but where the hell even was I was there even shelter nearby?

I slowly took a step back away from the cracked ice and started walking again. I didn’t know exactly where I was going but walking in the opposite direction of where this ice cracked is a good start.

As I walked forward all I could think of was a nice fire in my cabin reading the last of that book I had found a week ago. It was just getting to the good part as well. To die before finding out the conclusion would be so annoying.

I was so enamored by the cold and my thoughts I didn’t notice the fishing hut before I bumped into it. I ran my hands up and down the wooden structure before laughing at my luck.

I made my way around the hut finding the door and making my way inside. I secured the door and looked at the interior of the hut seeing if there was anything useful. I was out of the elements, but it was still freezing and unless I did something else I would be dead before the end of the day.

There appeared to be an old fishing hole, a table, an ice chest and a stool. With a small metal platform which you could have a fire on. There was also a pile of wood sitting next to the platform. Like someone had prepared to make a fire here but they never came back.

Their loss was my gain! I took off my heavy overcoat and reached for my matches which were in the in my inner pockets to protect them from the elements. I then took an old pre-torn newspaper from my other pocket and placed it on the platform. I then took the wood and made a log cabin out of the wood around the newspaper which I’d use as tinder.

Now came the hard part lighting the matches. My hands were frozen, and I couldn’t feel them which would make this part difficult.

I took out a match and held it next to the strip before making a quick prayer. I then struck the match and it lit. I quickly maneuvered the lit match to the tinder and tried to give the fire as much oxygen as I could.

The newspaper caught on fire and spread to the surrounding wood. But the wood wasn’t catching fast enough, and the newspaper was pretty much burned up. So, I took the other half of the newspaper from my coat pocket and added it to the flames. That was the last of my tinder so this better work.

This time the tinder was able to ignite the wood and the flame slowly grew bigger until I had a nice flame going. When the flames were roaring a healthy glow, I laughed in relief. I’d made it, screw you death! You aren’t getting me today!

I took off my backpack and set it in a corner before I began to strip my wet clothes and lay them next to the warm fire. When I got to my socks I realized the floor was ice, so I took out my sleeping bag and laid it out on the floor. I laid out on the sleeping bag as I watched the fire. Letting my free feet absorb the warmth of the fire and regain their senses again.

Now that my life isn’t in immediate danger let’s see what else I can find. I rummage around the hut but the only thing I can find is some fishing tackle and a crowbar. Guess they were planning on ice fishing. Wouldn’t hurt to try my luck as well not like I can go anywhere.

I shatter the thin layer of ice that covers the top of fishing hole unveiling the frigid waters below. Taking the fishing tackle and lowering it into the water in hopes of finding some food. I sit on the stool letting the time fly by while occasionally adding another log to the fire to keep the flames going.

After a couple of hours, I managed to catch two trout and a salmon. I skewer one of the trout with my pocket knife and held it over the fire for a while waiting for it to cook. After a couple of minutes, it looks cooked enough and I take a nice big bite out of the side of it.

Though not perfectly cooked it tasted delicious. I hadn’t eaten all day, and this was an excellent remedy to my hunger. I savored each bite as I devoured the whole fish, and soon I was left with only the head.

I rested my back against the wall and sighed in satisfaction. I was so content that I had failed to notice the footsteps of a nearby person who opened the door to me having pilfered the resources inside resources.

I looked up to see a man pulling a gun off his shoulder and chambering a round before closing the door. He looked chilled but focused and all I could do was innocently raise my hands in surrender. I was in no position to be doing anything right now against this man.

“Who are you!”

“My name is Riker, I was just trying to escape the cold when I found this fishing hut. I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble.”

I didn’t know what else to do or say to prove my innocence in the situation, so I held up one of the fish I had caught.

“Want some fish? I just caught them, and they taste pretty good.”

The man sighs and shoulders the gun before taking off his back and laying it down.

“So, how’d you end up here kid. I’m amazed you even made it this long out here.”

“My plane crashed down a couple miles north of here when I was making a routine supply run one night. I was stuck in a ravine for a couple days and when I got out everyone just seemed to have abandoned the place. You’re the first person I’ve seen in weeks.”

“So, I guess you’re a pretty lucky guy to have survived a plane crash and you luckily missed the initial panic. It was horrible none of the cars would work so people started walking south in hopes of finding something. They just all knew that they couldn’t stay here.”

“Then why did you stay here?”

“Because they couldn’t survive out here. I, on the other hand, am a trapper. Lived out here in this neck of the woods for years. I know how to survive out here and I’m not going to let some freak event change my lifestyle.”

Had to admire his determination to hoof it out here but to be honest I’m not sure how long he could stay here. The temperature seemed to be falling every day. With each day being colder than the last.

“So, I’m guessing this was all your supplies then.”

“Yes, I was planning on fishing today, but a sudden fog put my plans on hold. You get lost in it?”

“Yeah, unfortunately, I did. I also left most of my supplies behind when I did as well. I’m just lucky this place was even here. If it wasn’t I’m not sure I’d be alive right now.”

“Well, all is well that ends well. Follow me, I’ll take you to my cabin maybe we can orient you back to your supplies. In exchange can I have some of your stuff?”

“Sure, not like I'm going to need most of it. My plan is to keep heading south as well and see if maybe someone knows what’s going on.”

“I wouldn't recommend it kid. The situation down there won’t be any better. At least here there is food if you know where to look. If you went south you’d only starve with the masses.”

“So my only options are to either starve trying to make my way south or freeze up here.”

“Hey, it isn’t that bad out here you’ve made it this far haven’t you.”

He wasn’t wrong, but I was more concerned about my family.

“I have family down south. I can’t stay here and just forget about them.”

The man looked disappointed but not surprised at my reply.

“Well at the very least will you stay for Christmas?”

“Christmas?”

“Yeah, it’s Christmas Eve, you lose track of the days?”

“It stopped mattering after about a week.”

To think it was already Christmas Eve. Usually, I’d be at my parents’ house with my sister and we’d all have tamales from that store downtown with my mom’s home-cooked chili.

“Come on kid. Get dressed and packed up, my place isn’t far from here.”

I broke out of my daze and got dressed in my dried clothes. The man handed me a sealable bag for the fish and told me to stuff them in the bottom of my sack. I didn’t know why but I did as he asked.

“What’s that?”

The man pointed at my bow case inside of my bag.

“A bow, I found it in and have been using it to hunt for game, and to defend myself from wolves.”

“Get it out, I saw a pack of wolves on my way here. Better be safe than sorry.”

That must be why he was carrying a rifle when he opened the door.  I take out my bow case and string the bow as I attach my quiver of five arrows to my waist.

“Alright follow me and tell me if you see anything out of the ordinary got it.”

I nod and he opens the door letting the cold envelope the hut as we exit it’s confined warmth. Taking in a deep breath I feel the cold air fill my lungs as I star out at the ocean ahead of me.

“Come on stop enjoying the view. We don’t have much time it looks like there's a storm coming, look.”

I turned to see a huge storm on the horizon. It had to be the biggest storm I had seen in ages.

“Let’s go! Right now! Where is this place of yours?”

“Calm down kid, it’s a long walk and I don’t want you tiring yourself out before we get there.”

I was amazed he was this calm, but he had a point. We had a long walk ahead of us and we needed to pace ourselves.

The first stretch of the journey was pretty boring to be honest. After clearing the frozen oceans cape, we walked across an open field towards a dense forest. The snow getting deeper and deeper as we went. The forest becoming an overwhelming presence as the wind picked up tossing snow and branches into a frenzy.

At the edge of the tree line, the man unshouldered his gun before entering the dense forest. Entering the shadow of the fir trees I felt a strong sense of foreboding. I strained my eyes as I tightly gripped my bow in my hand. Looking from side to side as the trees danced around us.

‘Oooooooooooooooowhoo!’

My heart froze as I heard the unison of more howls on the horizon. Wolves weren’t that scary alone, but in a group, they were a dangerous threat.  I didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if five of them got a hold of me.

“Eyes up kid. It’s only another mile till we get to the cabin.”

The sun dimmed as it disappeared behind the storm darkening the forest. The wind kept picking up tearing into every exposed piece of skin. The temperature kept dropping, tearing away at my clothes stabbing through my layers and chilling me to the bone.

My hands shook with each step as we walked until the crack of a rifle resounded throughout the forest.

‘BANG!’

I looked up to see his rifle emit smoke and an empty shell as he racked a new round. My ears ringed as he screamed orders that I couldn’t hear over the roaring wind. My adrenaline coursed new life through my limbs as I followed him up a hill passing by a dead wolf while hearing a chorus of barking behind me. Turing back to see the situation I found myself staring into the hungry eyes of a pack of wolves as they ran towards us.

Taking an arrow from my quiver I shook trying to control my fear as I aimed at the oncoming horde. Before I could fire though I hear another bang behind me and my ears ring again as a streak of red light illuminates the wolves scaring them off.

I stood there shocked and rooted in fear. I felt their eyes stare deep into me. I wasn’t sure if the cold was messing with me, but I seemed to be caught in some irrational fear that overwhelmed me as I fell into the snow.

I felt a shaking as the man tried to wake me up. Staring into my eyes and screaming for me to move. Instinctively on some level his words resonated with me and I stand up following him as we charge up the hill.

Snow started falling as the wolves circled back around for another attack on us. The man shoved a stick into my arms as he reloaded a flare gun he had in his hands. With his rifle returned to his shoulder.

“USE IT! THE LIGHT WILL SCARE THEM OFF!”

I look at the stick to realize it was a flare. Shakily I unscrew the cap as the wolves move to surround us. Striking the flare with the cap just before they move to attack us. The flare blazes to life and the circle around us dissipates before moving back around us but never daring to come closer.

The man grabs the flare from me planting it in the ground in front of him as he takes his rifle out again. I similarly rearm my bow as I look at the wolves surrounding us.

“On my mark fire.”

He raised his gun up and I draw my bow as I aim at the nearest wolf to me. My gloves cause my grip to fail though and I lose an arrow in its direction.  By some miracle, it hits the wolf stabbing into its shoulder looking to be a shallow wound. 

I draw another arrow from my quiver as I hear a crack behind me. I don’t doubt he hit his target, but it fails to scare the wolves and they all converge on us. I fire off another arrow this time drawing my bow correctly and letting an arrow fly into the skull of an approaching wolf.

Put two more wolves took its place and dived towards me knocking me to the ground. Adrenaline pumping, I grabbed my knife and proceed to stab the wolf in the side multiple times as they snapped at my throat.

After another crack one of the wolves slumped over dead and the other limped a little bit before succumbing to his injuries. I turned to see the man at my side pulling me up as he racked another round.

He picked up the fare and we continued up the hill as more and more snow fell making it harder to see with each passing minute. The wolves continued to bark at us but no more dared to charge us as we blindly walked into the storm that threatened to envelop us.

Cutting through the storm came a thundering roar. I looked from side to side but couldn’t find where it was coming from. Then out of nowhere, a bear slammed into the man knocking him into a nearby tree as the rifle flew to my feet as the Bear charged at the man I dropped my bow picking up the rifle and aiming at the beast before firing into its center of mass.

The bear roars in pain turning to face me as I rack another round. Firing another round as soon as it was chambered. But the bear was not deterred turning towards me. Before it could reach me, I saw the man launch himself onto the bears backstabbing it repeatedly. His attack buying me enough time to chamber a third round and firing into its angered head. In a final spasming motion he flings the man across the hill into the snow before collapsing dead.

I drop the rifle and run over to the man to see he was in bad shape. His breathing was ragged, and his clothing was torn. I pick up the rifle again before picking the man up again and carrying him in the direction we were going before the attack. The wolf barking quit for what reason I wasn’t sure, but I was glad it was over.

“Hey old man, you okay?”

The man failed to respond and all I could was continue forward hoping he was alive. The snow accumulating the ground made each step harder than the last as I searched for his cabin. If I didn’t find it soon I wasn’t sure either of us was going to make it through the night.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

The sky then lit up and streaks of green light illuminated the area. Flickering in front of us I thought I saw the lights of a house and made my way towards the light as the green light danced around me.

Dragging us along the final stretch I see the warm light of the house envelope us as we enter the enclosed structure. With us falling to the floor as I close the door in sheer exhaustion. As I panted on the floor I took off my pack and had a look around.

There was a nice fireplace and a stack of wood. The shelves were full of supplies and I could see that he had a nice setup. Turning back to the man. I start stripping his clothes to see if he had any injuries.

Looking him over I see signs of a concussion with swelling on his head. As well as labored breathing indicating he might have internal injuries as well. After taking off his clothes I lay him on the bed in the corner before dragging the bed next to the fireplace.

After I have a fire going the room heats up and I strip off my wet layers and sit by the fire to warm up. Listening to the crackling of the fire and the man’s labored breathing resound through my ears.

After my hands thaw out I get up and have a look around the lit room looking for any medical supplies he might have to help the poor man. I felt bad for the guy. Not only had he gotten injured I didn’t even know his name. I wouldn’t let him die till he could at least tell me that.

Looking around I saw piles of tools and food fill the cabin. Looking through the cabin I was amazed at his stash. This man was set for a good while. I then move to the bathroom and see a medicinal stash on the wall. Opening it up I see over the counter painkillers, disinfectants, antibiotic ointment, and some bandage dressings.

Taking the supplies, I make my way to the man and start to treat the man’s injuries cleaning them before applying ointment and wrapping them. They weren’t serious, but out here if any of them get infected he’d be in trouble.

Once I finish addressing his exterior wounds I put my ear to his chest and listen to his heart and breathing while trying to be as gentle as possible. His breathing is laborious but steady which should be good.

Feeling hungry I grab the bag of fish I had caught and use his cooking supplies to prepare the fish. Cooking them over the fire in a frying pan as I stoke the fire.

“Smells good, what’s cooking? ‘cough, cough’”

Setting the pan to the side I turn to the man seeing he was awake. He tried to sit up but I eased him back down.

“I carried you the rest of the way to your cabin. I dressed your wounds the best I could, but I didn’t know what to do about your internal injuries.”

“‘cough, cough’ Got any painkillers? My chest is killing me.”

Handing him some painkillers and my water bottle he washes them down before laying back down.

“Thanks kid, I guess lady luck was looking after me today when I found you. ‘cough, cough’”

“Easy there I am not letting you die on me old man. Besides, I never even got your name.”

“How rude of me, sorry kid. Name’s Joseph, owner of this little bit of civilization here.”

“You got any more meds here? I’m not sure your med stash has what you’re going to need.”

“Not your standard medicine. In that cabinet over ‘cough, cough’ there. There are some reishi mushrooms, they are a natural immune booster and antibiotic. It might ‘cough, cough’ help prevent things from getting serious. There are also some rose hips which should help with any inflammation."

I looked through the cabinet to see stockpiles of the stuff. I wasn’t sure about these medicinal remedies, but the only medical facility I could think of was miles from here and It had to be looted by now.

“Hey kid, can I have some of that fish? I’m quite hungry after our little run.”

“I don’t know what was little about it old man.”

Taking the cooked fish, I find some plates and divide the fish before handing him a plate. He eats it slowly between the occasional coughing fit.

“You okay? You need me to get anything for you?”

“No, no. it’s okay. I just need some time, that bear got me pretty good. I’ll probably be stuck here for a couple weeks. But I have a special surprise for us it’s in the freezer over there."

Walking over to the freezer I open it to find a bowl of what looks to be chocolate pudding.

“Pudding?”

“Yep, it’s easy to make in this weather and it’s better than nothing.”

I take two spoons and walk over to the old man handing him a spoon and the bowl.

“So why are you doing out here old man?”

“I told you, I’m a trapper.”

“I know that, but why choose to be a trapper all the way out here.”

“I’d rather not say, let’s just ‘Cough, cough’ enjoy this pudding.”

We sat around the fire taking an occasional bite of the pudding. It was one of the better things 

I’ve eaten after all of this surprisingly.

“Anything you want for Christmas old man.”

“What, you gonna play Santa and climb down the chimney? Be my guest go right ahead.”

He chuckled before entering another coughing fit. I rolled my eyes at the poor joke.

“No, I meant is there anything you wanted for Christmas?”

He eased himself back into the bed as he shook his head before taking another bite of pudding.

“Not really, all I can think of is waking up tomorrow with no injuries.”

I had to chuckle at his honest reply.

“Sorry I can’t work a miracle.”

“Ha-ha ‘Cough, cough’, yeah I didn’t think so. To be honest though, I can’t think of anything. I have everything I need right here. But if I had to be thankful for anything it has to be you kid.”

“But wasn’t the reason you got hurt because of me?”

“No kid, what got us in trouble was that storm. I didn’t see it this morning before I went out. The animals just used it to their advantage. I would have had to make that trek whether I had found you or not. But since you were we both made it here.”

“Sorry it wasn’t in one piece.”

He chuckled as he ate the last bite of pudding before having another coughing fit. I offered him some water which he greatly accepted as he calmed his breathing.

“I’m just glad we made it here in any piece. I knew a trapper friend who was attacked by a bear a couple miles away. No one knew he was dead for about half a year until somebody found his rifle. I’m guessing you haven’t run into bears before.”

“No sir, I’ve been plagued with wolves so far. That was the first bear I’ve seen so far since the event.”

“Well you did good kid, tomorrow you can take the rifle and see if you can salvage any of its meat. Leave the wolves, they aren’t worth the effort.”

He sets the pudding bowl to the side before pulling the covers up on his bed.

“Well better get my rest ‘cough, cough’, not like I can do much else.”

I silently agreed as I tended to the fire pondering my next move. Joseph didn’t seem to be doing well and I didn’t have anything experience or tools to help him any more than I have. Best I could guess was either it’d take at least a month minimum to heal his injuries or he’d die within a week.

I needed to go south but he was right in that going south would be more dangerous than staying here. But if I stayed here I’d only get stuck in colder weather and the dangerous wildlife already here. Stuck between a rock and a hard place aren't we. No matter what I pick I’m going to have a rough time.

I pull out my sleeping bag and layout besides the fire after adding another log. The snow blowing against the windows lulling me to sleep as I could only wish we wouldn't have a white Christmas tomorrow.

I awoke to find my wish had failed to come true. The wind continued to pelt the house with snow as the blizzard raged on outside. The fire was dying, and it took me a minute to build it back up before I checked on Joseph.

I went over to his bed and listened to his breathing. His breathing was shallow and weak, but he was still breathing. I found a tea kettle and quickly went outside scooping up some snow before closing the door. I then set the kettle over the fireplace to melt the snow.

While I waited for it to melt I looked around seeing where he had stashed most of his supplies. I then took some of the rose hips and reishi mushrooms and threw them into the kettle. With my stomach rumbling, I took some of his food stores and started to make us something to eat.

“What’s ‘cough, cough’ cooking kid?”

I turned to see the old man trying to sit up. When he did he started coughing again and I went over to help him I noticed there was some blood on his hand. Looking him over I could only guess it had come from his lungs.

“Easy there old man. You’re still hurt, take it easy.”

“Stop lying to me kid, my odds aren’t good are they.”

“Unfortunately, they are not. My best guess is you will last at most, another week.  I can’t do anything for internal injuries so from here on out you're the one who will determine whether you pull through.”

‘Hissssssssssss’

I turn to see the kettle steaming and pour him a glass of tea. He graciously accepts and takes a small sip.

“This should help a little but unless I get some stronger meds I can’t do anything else.”

“Then can I make a selfish request Riker?”

“What is it?”

“Will you stay with me until the end?”

I had dreaded these words, but I couldn’t bring myself to refuse the man.

“You can use the rest of my supplies to make it south, but could you stay with me in the end?”

“Sure thing, it wouldn’t be a problem to stay here for a while.”

“Thank you Riker, you have no idea what this means ‘cough, cough’ to me.”

I then served our breakfast and we ate together as the storm seemed to only grow outside.

“You got any good stories Riker? Not like you can go anywhere at the moment.”

“True it doesn’t appear like I can, can I. What kind of story do you want to hear?”

So that was how I spent the day, telling the man stories as he sipped on the tea. It wasn’t a big deal for me, but I could tell he was content listening to me. O could only continue telling him stories as his condition slowly deteriorated in front of me.

His breakfast still uneaten by his bed as his breathing slowly became more ragged and desperate. I could only sit by continuing my stories as he withered away in front of me. I couldn’t stand my helplessness, but I had promised him I’d stay with him to the end and that was what I did.

The storm refused to break for days and as my stories dried up. I read aloud the small collection of books on his bookshelf he hadn’t burned yet. He had stopped talking a couple days in and I had to force him to drink some tea between his increasingly violent coughing fits.

On the fifth day the sun finally shone through the storm as the blizzard died down to reveal the wintry landscape around us. As I looked outside I heard a growning from Joseph. Listening to his grumbling I heard him say.

“Outside.”

I couldn’t make anything else out and did my best to pick him up and carry him to the door. Opening it up I was surprised to find the wind had died revealing the pristine snow glistening under the sun. I felt Joseph’s grip loosen as I turned to see a smiling face.

He then collapsed through my arms falling into the snow. I hurriedly pulled him out, but his expression remained lifeless and I slowly realized he had finally succumbed to his injuries.

“Sorry old man, I wish we could have met on better terms, but thanks for everything.”

I then explored the outside of his house finding a pile of covered firewood. After restocking the inside, I used the remaining wood to build a funeral pyre which I laid Joseph's body on top of. I then prayed over his remains before striking a match and lighting the pyre. I then stood watch over the pyre as it slowly grown to eat Joseph.

I watched over it the whole day until all that remained was the cooling embers with his ashes being picked up as the wind came back spreading them across the forest he had called home.

As night overtook day I went back inside and organized my supplies preparing. When my pack was packed I lay it in the corner before looking the last item I would be taking.

Looking over the man’s rifle I ran my hands up and down admiring the craftsmanship before reloading it and setting it in the corner as well. It would come in handy in the future and there was no use leaving it here. I then wrote a letter and pinned it to top of the fireplace before going to sleep in my sleeping bag calling it a night.

When day came I picked up my gear and made my way outside. Turning back to look at the house of my benefactor before making my way south into whatever awaited me.

My hands were frozen, and I grudgingly made each step forward. My belly rumbled from not eating for three days. The last of my water had frozen and I had no doubt I’d be dead within the hour.

The snow blinded my vision as I had nowhere else to go but forward. When I tripped on something and landed face first into something all I could do was huddle on the ground in a last pitiful attempt to keep warm.

‘Grrr’

I looked up to see a wolf staring me down as all I could do was whimper pathetically. I then heard a door open and see a bear walk out. The wolf charged the bear only to be knocked aside as I hear a shot ring out.

‘BANG!’

I then felt the bear drag both me and the wolf inside before closing the door.

“Get up kid.”

I feel the heavy weight of the bear envelope me to reveal a man who carried me to a roaring fire nearby.

“Who, are you?”

“Name is Riker what’s yours?”

“William”

Riker? It couldn’t be that Riker!

I warmed myself by the fire before my sense slowly returned to me. I turned to see Riker butchering the wolf and preparing us some steaks on the fire.

My stomach growled greedily in response and I salivated as the red meat cooked under Riker’s watchful gaze.

When it was done he gave me a plate of steak and some water which I eagerly ate and drank.

“Easy William, if you eat any faster you’re going to waste the meat.”

I slowly myself but after I finished I could barely keep myself from throwing it all up. After a couple of minutes, it passed, and I relaxed next to the crackling fire.

“You headed south to William?”

“Yes sir, but the weather has been slowing my progress. When I ran out of supplies I had no other choice but to continue through the storm.”

“Well that sure was stupid kid, but at least you're still alive that’s more than most can say.”

“So, you wouldn’t have maybe passed by a cabin north of here have you?”

“You’re going to have be more specific than that kid.”

I dug through my backpack taking out a crumpled letter I had stored in the bottom of my bag. I then handed it to Riker who took it and inspected what was written. When he glanced it over his eyes widened in surprise and he looked at me in surprise.

“You found my letter? I didn’t think there was anyone else that far north.”

“It was a miracle I did at all. Everything was stripped bare the farther south I went. That cabin saved my life. It was one of the only places I found with any supplies left. Who would have guessed I’d find the owner of it.”

“It wasn’t mine, it was a friend’s, but I’m glad you found it. Now, how about you tell me your story kid.”

No matter what this long dark throws your way.

Don’t you dare let it take you with it.

An old man saved me here and I hope

this place can do the same for you.

But let this letter give whoever finds it some hope.

That this long dark will someday end and

that there are those still living.

So be sure to do everything you can to be

one who will survive because I sure will.

Riker