Chapter 1: Escape

"We made it out." Matt breathed out as the creature retreated back into the shadows of the mines. The wind ripped around them like a vicious animal trying to tear at their flesh, but neither he nor Jess moved right away. A more terrifying animal could still be lurking nearby. "Jesus Christ, what the fuck was that thing?" The young man finally asked, carefully peering around the corner to make sure it was truly gone. Whatever it was, he knew it wasn't human. It had to be the same thing that grabbed him earlier; it dragged him through the mine until he blasted it with the flare gun.

"We need to keep moving." Jess said, her voice raspy and weak. She couldn't name the creature chasing them either, but she knew better than to stand around discussing when they could keep running.

"Right, you're right. The lodge is over there," Matt pointed to the building, just visible against the lightening sky. "Let's get moving." He lightly wrapped an arm over her shoulder to provide her with support as he looked around for a way down. "Here, the slope's not too bad over there. So, we'll just start down slowly."

"Okay." The girl managed a strained response as Matt started leading her across the ledge until they reached the slope. When she stepped down into a drift, instantly clumps of snow cascaded into the old boots she wore now. Jess let out a soft noise as the frozen flakes hit her leg. The cold was just enough to distract her from her pain for a brief moment.

"Oh, God. You must be freezing." Matt commented as he finally took the chance to look at her. She shivered, practically naked in just her undergarments with only an old miners' jacket and the now snow filled boots to fight the elements. "Here…" He stopped their trudging to set the lantern on a rock. He steadied it before pulling off his jacket followed by the shirt and sweater beneath it. This left him in only a tank top as he struggled to pull the shirt back on. He buttoned it part of the way up to block what little cold he could. "Fuck it's freezing." He muttered as he finally shrugged back into the letter jacket.

"Matt… you don't…" The girl protested, but didn't fight as he took the old shirt off of her and helped to pull his sweater over her head. Jess instantly hugged her chest, doing whatever she could do to retain his lingering warmth.

"Here, hold on." He moved her arms so that he could pull the jacket back over her as well. "I know that doesn't help your legs…"

"Matt, thank you." Her icy numb legs didn't nullify the gracious act. The sweater was already more kindness than she could expect, after she had snapped at him earlier. "Thank you, it's fine." The girl started forward again, but he only allowed her a few steps.

"I don't want you to get frostbite, Jess." Matt began before biting his lip, considering their options. He picked up the lantern again and handed it to her. "Hold this." Despite his own injuries, Matt saw no better plan than to simply pick her up and carry her. Outside of the large scratch on his leg and another on his shoulder, the rest of his injuries were fairly minor. He could make it a short distance with her in his arms. Maybe not all the way to the lodge, but even that short distance had to make a difference, had to mean something. He lifted her into his arms in one swift movement and began moving again.

"Matt…" As he picked her up, Jess let out a soft whimper. The movement had sent a jolt of pain rushing through her. Still, she knew it would be worse for her to continue on her own. In this state she simply moved too slow on her own. Right now she just wanted to get away. Fast.

They only made it about halfway down the slope when the shock-wave from a nearby explosion shook the ground beneath them. Matt's eyes found the source in seconds. Their destination, the lodge, was now engulfed in flames and billowing smoke plumes. "Holy shit. It's… it- "

"What was that? Matt?"

"It's the lodge. Jess… it's on fire."

"What?!" She twisted in his arms trying to confirm his claim. Matt turned her so that burning building came into her view. "Oh my God, oh my God, what happened?"

"I have no idea." His grip on the girl faltered. Out of worry, Matt set her back on her feet. Dropping her now was the last thing either of them needed. "I'm sure everyone… I'm sure they're all okay. They- They've got to be…" He attempted to reassure her, just as much for his own benefit as for hers. "We gotta go see if- we gotta see who made it." They began with renewed focus. Matt pushed them at the fastest pace Jess's injuries allowed. Before they closed even a fourth of the remaining distance, Matt halted their approach again. "Do you hear that?" He squeezed his eyes shut and craned his neck to the side, chasing the sound and daring to hope.

"We need to keep moving." Jess begged, tugging on his sleeve. Her heart pounded in her ears at the thought of what might be coming for them. Matt opened his eyes and shook his head, a grin slowly forming on his face. She blinked at him, wide-eyed and mouth slightly agape. How could he grin at a time like this?

"Jess," he put his hands on her arm and gestured toward the sky. "That is the sound of a helicopter. We're getting out of here!" Laughing, he released her and threw his arms into the air. Ignoring the pain of his injuries and exhausted muscles, the man flailed his arms in large circles, pleading for the pilot to notice them.