An hour ago. I think that was the last time I could feel my fingers and toes. I was trying to stay alive. Dear goddess, I was fighting to keep my promise.

It was the only thing I had left to live for anymore. There was nothing else, and that’s why I was huddled here alone in the cold.

I vaguely recall reading somewhere that freezing to death is only painful for a while. The sharp needling pains subside into numbness, and you begin to feel sleepy.

Falling asleep would be nice. If I let myself fall asleep, I would be warm and cozy again. Somewhere in the depths of my childhood memories, I could remember feeling that once when it was just Dad and me. It seems like another lifetime now.

I was seated on a pile of rotting black winter leaves. My torn shirt rustled stiffly with dried blood each time my lacerated back touched the trunk of the tree I sat beneath. Curled up with my arms around my legs, I rocked back and forth. But now, I needed to stop rocking. I was too tired to move. I closed my eyes and laid my head down on my knees. So tired.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

One thought remained before I welcomed my oblivion and I whispered groggily, “I’m so sorry, Tristan.”

I slept.

Something was touching me. Groaning in protest, I thought, Leave me alone, I’m sleeping!

I wanted to say it aloud, but I couldn’t speak. I was too exhausted to speak.

A masculine voice cursed in a language I didn’t understand, but its emphatic utterance left me no doubt as to its content.

Something wet was being rubbed on my lips now.

“Open your mouth!” the voice commanded in a sharp hiss.

I obeyed because I wanted to go back to sleep. When I did so, there was a rush of liquid across my tongue that tasted faintly like iron. I couldn’t taste it well because my tongue was frozen.

“Swallow!” The voice commanded again.

I focused on my throat muscles and clenched them, as much as I was able, in a reasonable approximation of a swallow. I felt warmth trickling down my throat, though most of the liquid spilled over my lips and down my chin. I couldn’t open my eyes. They felt frozen shut.

It’s ok, I thought to myself. I won’t need them anymore; I’ll be dead soon.

Suddenly, the world was spinning. No. Someone was carrying me.

The darkness overtook me, and everything faded to black.