Wintry months in Canada always have been harsh, especially unforgiving to those that were ill-prepared. The further north you go, the worse conditions get. Aput knew the northern climates never were promising for humans, and yet his ancestors made the journey centuries ago. As if the journey was not insane enough, his people settled and thrived all across the frozen landscape. He mused over his people’s past and what it had ultimately led to. A humble livelihood left them behind, the current world was a whole new era and his people were often cast aside, their problems were not the world’s problems.

Electricity was scarce, and heating was now a mainstream commodity. His people grew soft. If trivial things like the cold was what they most complained about, they knew nothing of the true dangers of the cold north. The temperatures were not the only thing to worry about. Other dangers existed: bears, wolves, cougars and even the moose can be deadly, those were just the big ones. Snakes and mosquitoes also were constant dangers.

All of these dangers, Aput was grossly aware of them all, he lost a kin because of a mosquito bite. Yet, of all of the beasts the wild had to offer, nothing had sent shivers down his spine like the wailing he heard from this morning. That was why he was trekking through the forest despite his better judgement, knowing that likely nothing good could come from his curiosity. He turned around looking past the trail he had left behind, remembering the warm fire he shared with his brother this morning.

They enjoyed their morning coffee, it was their tradition to sit by the fire and drink till their bodies fully awakened. Originally, they planned to start their morning hunting, provide food that would feed them and their small community for the next few days. Instead, that wailing put them both on edge.

“Wake me, brother, if I truly am still asleep.” His brother's shoulders shivered, instinctively from the sound. It was bizarre and intimidating, it spelled nothing but death in its tone.

“No Nukilik, I am wide awake as you, and I heard what you heard.”

They both stared out into the boreal forest, warily attentive of their surroundings. Sudden flapping scared both of them off of their feets, flocks of birds flew past over them. Escaping from the terrifying noise.

“Whatever it was, those birds are fleeing from it in the north-east.” Aput remarked.

“Yes. Let’s gather our stuff and go.” Nukilik said.

They tossed dirt into the fire and prepared their equipment, gathering their sacks, backpack and hunting rifles. There was a confused look they shared with each other when they started going off in opposite directions.

“Brother, you are a little dazed right now, that is where the monster roar came from.” Nukilik pointed towards that direction.

“My senses are just fine, and it is because there is a monster in this part that I must go there.”

Nukilik sighed. “And why must you go towards it?”

“In case someone else is hurt, I cannot in good conscience leave them if there was anything I could have done from my part.”

Nukilik thought silently for a moment. “Fair point. It would still be foolish for us both to go alone without additional help. I will head back and bring along other hunters, you go on ahead but don’t do anything foolish without us. I’d hate to lose another kin.”

Aput rested his hand on his brother’s shoulder, reassuring him. “Don’t worry brother, I won’t do anything too foolish. Can’t promise that I would wait for you though.”

His brother grinned. “Guess that means I have to be especially speedy to make sure I bring you back home safely. Stay safe. I will be back swiftly.”

He nodded.

That was over an hour ago. Presently, Aput continued his scouting in search for anyone you may have been in harm's way, but still found nothing.

How far was this thing anyways? Five miles and still no signs of life, so I must be nearer. Aput thought to himself.

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Daylight was nearing midday and Aput was just about to give up in his search, until he saw tracks. Across a stream, a deep impression was left on the soft soil. Aput approached it to inspect it much more closely. The impression was a five-toed creature, and based from the aim of the toes, it was headed north from the approximate direction where the sound came from.

Was this the creature that made that ruckus? It’s smaller than what I would’ve expected. Aput cast his thoughts aside, realizing that he still was not certain what was out here to begin with.

He followed the direction of the trail, certain that it would lead him where we wanted to be. Every other creature he had encountered so far had run from this direction, this was the first fresh clue of something heading towards it. Chances were that this was his beast from earlier. There was nothing else evident as he trekked for the next half-hour, until signs of activity suddenly exploded. Branches from low hanging trees were shredded, tracks muddled the entire area, thick brush trampled over. Aput was stepped into the area with senses alert, drawing his rifle slowly to reduce any sound.

The tracks led over a steep hill into a rocky area. Aput skid down the slope onto the rocky spot, observing what had happened. There was chipped stone everywhere, as if something had exploded. When he got closer to the edge, he saw that in fact a large rock jutted off from the edge at one point, but now it was a bunch of sharp rocky shards on the ground. Eyeing around himself, he made sure that this was not some sort of trap. He’s heard rumors of nefarious groups that liked to do evil things with common people, that such deeds were common in the middle of nowhere. He had to dismiss that idea, already having told himself in the past that such rumors were just that.

Despite the mess that this area was in, and the obvious destruction from the creature, there was no blood. Apparently there was no altercation, perhaps it was just rabid. Which would give him more of a reason to leave. Curious of what happened to the stone, he peered over the edge into the gorge. At first it took his mind a moment to process what he was seeing, he did not know if his mind was playing tricks with him.

Below lies a woman sprawled on the massive stone, unconscious from whatever had happened to her. He immediately dropped his weapon and backpack onto the ground, making way down the dangerous gorge walls to her.

Jumping off the wall over the last few remaining feet, he stepped next to her. He pressed fingers beneath her Adam's apple to check for a pulse, to his satisfaction he felt a faint pulse. Also to his surprise, her body felt surprisingly warm and her hair had the slight odor of singe. Her ragged clothing hung loosely off of her smooth skin. Most shockingly, she was missing a leg. There was so much going through his mind, questions he wanted answered. However, that would have to wait. Her life was on the line, and that is all that mattered.

Lifting her over his shoulders to carry her out, he made for the long uphill haul back to his effects. It took him a meager half-hour, but now that he made it here, the haul would be much easier than carrying her all the way back by hand. He rummaged through his belongings in the backpack and pulled out an expandable sled meant to carry their meat, but can be served as a rescue sled as well.

Opening up the sled and resting the woman on it after being sufficiently covered, he was now ready to make his way back to his people before the creature decided to come back and finish the job. With the sled properly tied around his waist, he trudged through the snow. The trek back proved to be much more tedious than originally expected, to make matters worse, snow was starting to flake.

Hours went by and evening was drawing near, Aput was nearing his limit. He flopped onto the hard cold ground, trying to reduce his pores from opening up. The instant you start to sweat far up north, you risk to hyperventilate. Breath control and pacing was instrumentally key in surviving in this weather. He glanced at the woman who seemed to be regaining some of her strength. She let out a deep warm breath, puffing thick clouds in the air.

Huff. Wish I had her warm blood at this time.

He tried to stand back up, but his knees collapsed the instant he did so. Breathing a bit more heavily now, he decided to take a longer break. Better to get some rest so that they both make it, then to collapse trying and getting them both killed. Nightfall began to drop over the horizon. Any notion that he had about getting back on the same day ebbed away, so instead he decided to camp here for the night. He fetched for wood and got a campfire going, and a kettle with water to prepare some coffee.

The thermos he had stowed away contained warm soup from yesterday, it was still lukewarm. Pouring some into a cup, he helped himself to some to keep his energy up. He poured another batch into the cup for the woman and helped serve it into her mouth, letting her gingerly take it in.

Her eyes peeled open, her irises narrowed from the light the fire gave off. For a moment, he thought he saw her hair suspiciously thicken. Shaking his head, he was sure that it was exhaustion taking over at this point. It had been a long day. She flopped her head over, closing her eyes once again. She muttered in her breath. Aput leaned in closer to catch what she was saying.

“Useless? Useless. Tool? Useless tool? Useless?” She repeated over and over.

Aput leaned back, unable to even start imagining what had happened to her. All he could do was stroke her head to provide comfort, her soul needed much guidance to find peace. He looked up to the starry sky, as always, he marveled the vast universe. The world was simpler over here, that was why he could not cope with city life anymore. There was something about her that reminded him of his past, and it was anything but a pleasant experience.