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“Up the mountain”

“There’s nothing up there, just ice and rock”

Nothing? “That’s just what I want Let’s go”

Mara walked out of the cave into the snow, father and son several steps behind him He didn’t knohat he’d do with the two o back to their village He had questions for the father about Mara’s… type For now, they’d just keep on walking No sense in staying where ht turn up

The son lay dead, face a pale blue colour Less than half a day in the snoithout the fur coat had been all it took The father leant over hi As Mara watched, he wondered if he would ever feel anything for anyone ever again, other than hate

The father rushed at Mara “You bastard,” he shouted

Mara sidestepped and ran his blade along the father’s ribs

The father clutched at the fur as he collapsed, then pressed red handprints into the snow as he turned to face Mara “Fucking… devil”

Mara knelt next to the father “Ssh” He placed a hand on theabout how you can help me”

The father spat in Mara’s face “Go back to hell, devil”

Mara passed a warh his hand into the father’s cheek

The man’s eyes ide as Mara placed his other hand on the opposite cheek, war on his head “Stop, please”

“It’s for your own good,” Mara said

The father screa, while the whites of his eyes turned red

Eventually, the screams stopped, and Mara stood The father lay still,from his face “Get up,” Mara said