I woke up to the sound of a fog horn. As I lifted my head from my now aching arm, I realized I had fallen asleep while studying a map of Russia. This thing must be completely out of date, but land doesn't change too much in a few decades, so I should have a general idea of where I was going. I rested my forehead on both of my palms for a moment, trying to get the sea sickness and sleepiness out of my system. I was just grateful that we were finally pulled up at the dock.

I stood up, looking at the bottle of water next to me. I have no idea how long it's been sitting there, and I have no intention of drinking warm water, because it tastes really bad if you've never tried it before. I looked to my side where my journal sat. No, it's not a diary! Everyone thinks that!

Anyway, I picked up the journal and stuffed it into the backpack I was going to carry with me. I had to pack light, I knew that. Besides, how long was I really going to be out there? No offense to him, but Feliks was a big pussy. He'd never go that deep into a mine, even if he was about to die.

Why had he gone there, anyway? These are questions I would never answer for myself. Sighing, I stuck a hand in my pocket, toying around with a small metallic key. I took it out, walking over to a locker that held some equipment. I opened it using the key, and grabbed some extra batteries and an emergency glowstick for when my flashlight went out.

Speaking of flashlights, I hurried over to a drawer next to my very uncomfortable bed and opened the small compartment, picking up the flashlight and attaching it to my belt next to the glowstick. The batteries went in my pocket. I headed over to a small chest at the foot of my bed. I opened it, revealing...a letter? I don't recall it being here.

And it wasn't addressed to me. It was addressed to some guy named Ivan. The letter stated;

'Dearest big brother,

Just a quick note before you set sail and leave me once again.

I've left you a little something in the chest at the foot of your bed to remember me by. I really don't know why you only have one bed on board. Taking shifts because of it is no way to get your rest. But what does a little sister know about the life of war?

I'll be praying for you every night to win the battle you're charging in to, so you can come home to me safely, and soon. Please don't be gone for five weeks like last time! I know we might nag sometimes, but I really do love you, you know.

I washed that scarf of yours. I knew you'd get it covered in blood in no time, but I still feel better knowing it had a wash.

Before I forget, Raivis and Eduard have asked me if you would run into Toris, or whatever his name was, but I said he probably wouldn't. If you do run into that guy, whoever he is, don't say anything. Freeze him in the ice if you can, and I'll do something...special with him when you return home.

Take care, big brother.'

I was confused. How did these people know me? I never met someone named Ivan. Never! And now whoever wrote this letter-apparently Ivan's little sister-wants me dead?

What did I do? Suddenly, I had a very bad feeling. Whatever was going on, something was tugging at my gut to stay in the ship. Go home. Follow Feliks's original orders and burn the documents.

Get on with my normal life. But, once again, curiosity got the best of me. I had to find him, no matter what, even if he was dead. I had to make sure. There was still that tiny flicker of hope that he hadn't died.

He could still be somehow alive. Foolish, I know. But it was clear I was a fool. With a small shake of my head, I headed out the door of my cabin and into the deck.

As I stepped off the boat, setting out into the blizzard that had formed around me, I realized how utterly devoted I'd been to the discovery of my friend's past. I had no idea what to expect.

Soon enough, my concerns were justified. I don't know whether I lost my orientation, or my spirit, first, but I lost feeling in my extremities soon after, and knew hypothermia was setting in. I started looking for shelter.