Chapter 1

Wintry winds roared at my face as I traipsed through the snow covered terrain. Trees deprived of their natural foliage loomed over me, their boughs like arms and twigs like fingers almost reaching out to me, moving to the motion of the wind. The unnatural silence, save for howling of the wind, made for sinister atmosphere. Gravel-grey clouds darkened the skies and spewed their snowstorm at the earth below them.

I shivered with almost every step I took, my fur doing little to stop the cold onslaught, each tread was more gruelling than previous and the hilly terrain was not aiding my venture. Hand in front of my eyes trying to shield them from the element as I tried to see where I was headed. Eventually I came to a ridge line and immediately crouched by a nearby tree. Out in the distance I could make out few ill-defined silhouettes of buildings. A small village or settlement perhaps.

Lying down prone in the snow I took out my binoculars and peered through the lenses, switching them to infra-red vision, meticulously scanning the streets and building, looking for any activity or heat signatures that may be lurking around within the settlement. Nothing. There was nothing, but that didn't ease my wariness, I've been in situations like this before, not everything here gives off a signature. In this world as soon as you let your guard down, you try and relax for a moment, you are as good as gone. Death bears many faces and it is patient, it will get you when you think you are safe.

I stowed my binoculars away as I stood up and vigilantly advanced towards the city, gripping my weapon the sling, Heckler & Koch 416, one arm on the angled fore grip the other tightly around the pistol grip.

Little by little more of the buildings peered out from the snowstorm, streets began manifesting. All ruined. Buildings crumpling away, streets littered with empty shells of cars slowly eroding, craters forming in various places.

I glanced into buildings as I meandered through the streets, searching for any that may have some much needed supplies, food, medicine, ammo. Majority of the buildings looked as if they had already been looted, even the pharmacy, fire and police stations. Cautiously entering the building, checking each dark corner for signs of other creatures. None to be seen. I scavenged through the shelves, counters and storage but couldn't find anything; everything had already been cleaned by previous looters. It was the same for the fire station and the police station; armoury, storage, squad cars all scavenged clean. Stores bared the same story, shelves and cupboards were smashed up with scrap and junk bestrewed on the floor, everything of value taken. I didn't bother checking out the houses, they all looked like they were foraged already. A very distressing situation.

Eventually I came across a promising premise; it may have been overlooked by scroungers, at least I hoped so. It was like any other slowly decaying building within the vicinity. Door was broken as were the window but interior looked less damaged than other houses. Cautiously I walked towards the door-frame, stowing my HK and pulling out my side arm CZ 75, silencer and flash light adding to its menacing statue. I pulled the door open and raised my handgun as walked through the door-frame; diligently I scanned the main room looking for any signs of danger. Clear, at least for now. I moved on to remaining rooms, kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom. All empty. I paused for few moments and listened to my surroundings. Silence, only wail of the wind could be heard. I turned the flash-light on my CZ and began foraging through the cabinets and containers looking for anything that may be useful to me, finding only handful of overdue and mouldy foods. The only useful things I found were few medical supplies – antibiotics and bandages, miserable find but that's still a god sent around these parts.

I threw the Alice Pack of my back and packed what I found into it, calculating how long the provisions I had will last me for, if I don't find anything else. Three days. I had to find something, with no knowledge of when I'll come across another city or any source of supplies. I could be doomed.

My ears perked up as I heard a muffled sound into the distance of the snowstorm, I couldn't make out what it was but my instincts told me it wasn't just my mind playing tricks. Quickly I turned the flashlight of my handgun and holstered it, switching it for my rifle, quickly shifting next to one of the windows and resting the rail on the windowsill peering through the hybrid scope flicking on thermal imaging mode. I could make out three shapes meandering down the street looking into structures and vehicles. Judging by their outlines, shorter ears and longer snout and tail as well as the fact they're holding a weapon each, they are not one of those preternatural or transcendental creatures.

They seemed to spread themselves amongst buildings, they either are foolish or they don't want to spend too much down in this settlement either. Quickly and silently I moved from the window towards the doorway, putting my gun to my side, just about peeking out of the doorway observing the group if one decides to venture towards me.

Few short moments passed before a figure emerged from the snowstorm. I hid as far back as I could from the doorframe and still be within pouncing distance while out of sight. I listened attentively, the footsteps growing louder by each passing heartbeat. I heard his heavy breathing, most likely weary from the weather and whatever endeavour he's on. He sauntered inside. Mistake, but one he couldn't foresee. Before he could react, I sprung up, stomped the back of his knee and pulled his head up exposing his throat. I looped my arm around his neck and quickly placed my other hand over his mouth to stop him from crying out and asphyxiating him. He flailed and tried to free himself but I held my tight grip, his movement growing limp until he didn't resist anymore.

I dragged the body out of sight inside the building, placing him up against a wall. He must've been a young wolf aged no more than twenty one, still a young fool, born too late and in an unfortunate time to live his life. I checked the bag he was carrying with him. Simple bedroll and rags and hidden underneath those, some food supplies, couple slices of stale and slightly mouldy bread and few canned foods. I packed them in my bag and looked at the young wolf again; he had dark grey and presumably once white fur, though now it was stained with dirt. I noticed a handle of a pistol on his belt and inspected it closer; it was a black blocky and measly .177 air pistol, useful only for hunting birds and vermin's, little use for self-defence, especially against dangers that lurk in these areas. I felt bad for doing this to the poor boy, but it's how the life in this world goes you either take your chances or someone will beat you to it, I had no choice.

Quickly I scrambled to the side window worrying little about keeping quiet; the other two would more likely react if there wasn't any noise. Briefly I checked the surrounding area before I climbed outside crouching down, keeping my eyes towards whereabouts of the remaining duo, gripping my rifle in hand, hopefully I wouldn't have to use it, I'm low on ammunition as it is. When I was certain that I was outside of their sight, I turned around and briskly walked away, the snow muffling my steps.

I heard few shouts coming from the settlement; winds' deadening whatever was being spoken, till a spectral shrieking call sounded, like a banshee's scree, making my blood curdle. Wraiths. It was followed by a holler of those trapped with the spectral apparition. One of Death's many minions.

I carried on walking ignoring their cries for help, I couldn't aid them even if I wanted to, even I didn't stand a chance against a Wraith. Mere thought of facing another one of those eldritch beings sends shivers down my spine.

I took my compass and checked my bearing; I had to carry on walking North-East no matter what, if I was to find what, or rather whom, I was looking for. I put my compass away into my pocket; a picture fell out as I took my hand out. I almost missed it. I stopped and picked it up, it was a picture of me, my wife and my little girl, the sole thing that kept me going those past months.

"I'll keep my promise to you Katja." Dolefully I stashed the photo back into my pocket, tear almost escaping my eye. 'I will find you my dearests, like I promised.'