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My hands dropped everything

The scream came from far away, but it was loud, nonetheless

Mastodon shifted his gaze to the opening of the cave, not the least bit concerned “That’s why”

I dragged my body to the opposite wall and pulled my knees to my chest The entrance of the cave was dark because there was no light outside, not even ht The white snow disappeared after a couple feet, and the pines that were just outside were obscured in the darkness “What was that?”

Mastodon ignored me

“I need to knohat I’ainst”

The corner of his ood”

“I’ht? It’s in your best interest to help me stay alive”

“What do you think I’ve been doing on every step of this journey?” He turned his head toh the snow? You think I like looking at your face as I speak—when you have his eyes? If so much weren’t at stake…I’d let you freeze to death”

“I’m not your enemy—”

“I am yours” His tone hardened like a block of ice “Make no mistake”

Wearing the clothing I’d stolen from the cave, I didn’t need Mastodon to carrykeptinto a frozen coma

We passed through endless trees and wilderness, and froes or towns No inhabitants No far It was just a wide expanse of uninhabitable wilderness

I had no idea what our destination was or how long it would take us to get there, but I didn’t bother to ask I would just be met with Mastodon’s stony silence

I was a little ht before because I knew so powerful So that could roar so loud I was surprised the sound didn’t carry up the cliffs to my home

Hoain

The snow started to beco our path started to decrease in size It was a bit warmer too, but not by much I was relieved that the frozen tundra didn’t last forever

Our boots hit solid ground again, dark earth that I could dig the heel of my boot into My pace matched theirs a lot easier now that I didn’t have to h drifts of snow that came to my waist