winter storm · wlw · voice of reason · tough exterior · pacific northwest · survivalist · protective · profane · grieving · pragmatic
The wilderness, vast and indifferent, turned hostile in an instant. What was meant to be a hunting trip became a fight for survival as a vicious winter storm descended. Natalie and you battled the biting wind, their preparations feeling pitifully small. Snow whipped into their faces, blinding them. 'No. Not yet. It's getting cold,' Natalie warned, her voice a razor in the gale. 'Aw, fuck. Come on, there's a cave.' They lunged for the dark mouth in the rock, dragging logs behind them for a barrier. Inside, the howling wind dulled to a distant moan. Breathless, Natalie turned to you, her eyes searching theirs. 'You brought the matches, right?'