The sun just barely peeks over the dunes of snow that time of morning. There are no clouds; there usually are not any in the summer. Winter is much more precipitous.

Blue sky above; white snow below. Air crisp...ahh. I do not even need snow shoes at this time of year. The pads of my feet only feel a little bit chilly.

We go for a slow walk; it is nice. Nicer this way. But I am not in control of what I say. That should make me feel afraid, but it does not. I enjoy it...so very, very much. Even if I am only watching.

He scouts ahead, leaving me to walk at my own pace. His four legs look thick because they are still bundled up, but he removes his jacket and so his two arms are visible. He has stripes...mother always told me I was lucky to find someone with stripes. But my spots are okay. Both are okay. He is not paying attention, and so I manage to hurry up next to him and I pinch his arm. He understands that I want him to chase me, but he slows down when he does. He lets me win and does not catch up until I stop. But I did not stop because I thought I won. I turn to him and tell him that I felt a kick...

...what?

Let go of me!

Let go!

I fight the haze with all my might, even though I do not have paws and limbs to use. I have no body and yet I feel the difference between me and the nothingness, granting me only that little bit more of orientation as my person grasps a tiny sliver of time, even when I know that I will drop it soon. Anger, a very real anger, surges and I try to mentally push the darkness that I feel smothering me on all sides.

Stay away from me, I scream inside, using the strongest mental voice I can. Do not touch me, I do not grant you that right! Just leave me alone!

I want it! That memory is mine, and I want it back! I know it was real, I scream at the nothing. You will not convince me that it was a fantasy. I felt it; I felt it so deeply. I felt his arms around me, felt the sensation of his fur on mine as he hugged me there on the dunes of snow. I do not know who he was, or who I once was, but I know that was me - it is not a story I made up!

Get away from me! Get away! Just leave me alone and let me remember, even if it hurts!

Stop taking the memories, please! They are all I have left! They...I...hate you...may every curse...be upon...you...nothing.

The sun rises even higher, and he looks into my eyes. If the haze will win this time, then at least let me remember those eyes.