A/N: First off, I can't believe how many views this has! I was SUPER nervous when I first posted this! And I swear when I saw that my story had a review, I almost puked a rainbow! Anyway, enough of my prattling. I will probably keep this story in the same POV, but I may change my mind later.

Chapter 3

My cheeks are red from the blistering wind and the tip of my nose is completely numb. I feel like I've been walking for hours, even though it's only been about 40 minutes. It feels like the temperature has dropped even more, though last I checked it was about 1 degree C. Its times like this I'm glad I know every inch of these woods or else I'd be totally screwed.

The silence of the woods is disrupted by the loud crunch of my snow boots against the frozen ground. I lift my sleeve up to my face to wipe the tears brought on by the wind and my heart skips a beat as my vision clears and I am able to make out the distant silhouette that is our clubhouse. At this all my fatigue is forgotten and I take off at full speed towards the sanctuary that will be my home for the time being.

"Lilli!" I hear as I burst through the door of the of the old shed-turned-hideout that I have been escaping to since we discovered it in 1946. "You are early, da!" I wipe my eyes once more and focus my vision to see Helen sitting in the middle of the clubhouse, surrounded multiple bags filled to the brim with supplies as well as what I assume is twelve sleeping cats, though I'd rather not count. I check the watch on my wrist and read 11:58.

"By two minutes." I reply. "Besides, you are early as vell."

"Da. I had to get my cats here before it got too cold." she states matter-of-factly. "How cold is it now?"

"Last I checked it vas 1 degree, but it feels like it has dropped." I reply with a yawn. As much as I love the cold, I have to admit it tires me the hell out.

"You look like hell, da. You should sleep." She tells me, letting out a small yawn of her own.

"You do not have to tell me twice." I reply and sling my bag off of my shoulder onto the floor before making my way to the giant beanbag chair in the corner of the room, plopping down and instantly falling asleep.

January 6th, 1962

'Where am I?' I think as consciousness creeps back into the corners of my mind. 'This feels so unfamiliar.' My eyes slowly open and memories of the previous night come flooding back. I turn my head and notice Helen sitting crisscross in front of the crankable television we always keep here.

"Vhat time is it?" I ask, checking my wristwatch before she has a chance to answer. 10:48 a.m. I slept for nearly eleven hours!? I never do that! Helen does not seem to notice as she is completely hypnotized by the program on the television. "Are you watching zhe news?"

"Da." she replies not once turning her head from the screen. "I am watching to see if they are saying anything about us."

"Anything so far?"

"N-nyet." she replies sadly, petting a particularly small kitten. "Nothing."

"Damn. Vell it has only been eleven hours. I am sure ve vill be all over zhe news by tomorrow!" I assure her, attempting to be cheerful, hoping to assure myself in the process. This seems to lift her spirits a bit.

"You are right, da!" she exclaims enthusiastically. "We will be out of here in no time!"

January 10th, 1962

I was wrong. We have been hiding here for nearly five days and there has been no report on the two of us. Hell, two fourteen year old girls gone missing, the press would be all over that if anybody got word.

I am holding up okay, but it is Helen I am worried about. Every day she loses a little hope. I can see it in her eyes behind her smiling face and happy tone. And I hear her cry at night when she thinks I am asleep. It breaks my heart to see my dear friend so depressed and pretending that she feels okay simply to try and make me feel better. And for that I am grateful. My family may be slipping through my normally strong grip, but at least I have Helen. I would be lost without her.

"And in other news, a severe weather alert has been issued. All citizens are advised to stay indoors for at least the next 24 hours." This jerks me out of my thinking trance and I turn the volume up to hear the television more clearly. "I repeat, a severe weather alert has been issued due to expectations of a blizzard that is sure to hit the area later tonight."

"Helen! Helen wake up!" I urge her to wake from her nap.

"W-wha?!" she croaks groggily "What is it? Have they come for us?!" She now sits up excitedly and whips her head towards the door, in hopes of seeing some search party or one of our brothers standing in the doorway. And, just like every other time, a little more light in her eyes is extinguished and she turns back to meet my gaze.

"N-nein, zhey have not…" I reply, breaking eye contact because I simply cannot stand to see the defeated look on her face. "But zhere is a blizzard expected to hit zhis area. I am wondering if ve should stay since zhis is not a very sturdy structure." She reflects for a moment, staring off into space in deep, deep thought.

"I want to stay." she states bluntly.

"Are you absolutely sure?" at this point I am willing to go or stay. I could care less what happens to me now.

"Da" she replies, pulling on her jacket in an obviously futile attempt to alleviate the bitter cold that will soon worsen and potentially end our lives in the midst. "If they are too distracted to make sure we are home while there is a blizzard going on outside, then we have our answer once and for all. I cannot stand waiting around here unsure any longer." I really hope we make it through the night.