Chapter 10: Winter Refuge

Winter came early, and at full force. It had now been a full year since Echo had last slept in the protection of a real den. The girl visited him more frequently now, bringing warm food and bedding to ward off the cold. It wasn't enough, however, and the Ender soon fell ill. If he spent another night out in the open, his condition could become fatal.

xxx

Hannah knew the Ender couldn't stay out in the cold for much longer. Though they were far more enduring than humans, Enders could only last so long unprotected like this.

Hannah feared the consequences of what she was about to do. Her concern for Echo overpowered that, though. The only thing she needed to worry about now was her timing.

Echo didn't stir as she approached, face hidden as he lay facing the trunk of the tree. Shep whined anxiously, sniffing at the Ender's motionless body. Despite the straw and blankets Hannah had provided, a thin layer of frost clung to the Ender's skin.

Could she be too late?

With her own pulse racing with panic, she bent down to search for a heartbeat. Pressing her ear against his back, she prayed to hear something―anything―to indicate the Ender still lived. All she could hear was the rushing of her own blood. Moving away, she tried desperately to calm herself.

His skin was ice-cold. Not a good sign. Was that a wisp of vaporous breath? Waiting for her heart to steady, she leaned down again.

Silence.

Then, a beat.

After a painfully long pause, another followed. Then another.

He was still alive.

"Oh, thank God," Hannah breathed, sure that only He could have done this. "Come on, Shep, we've got to get him to the house."

xxx

Bringing the sled had been a good idea. Though the house wasn't far, Hannah could barely walk in the calf-deep snow. Let alone with an Ender on her shoulders,

Shep had no problem pulling both of them, however. She had trained him well the past few Winters. Even Uriah admitted having a sled dog made logging easier.

Hannah guided Shep around the back of the house. She didn't bother to put the sled away, knowing Echo could fade away at any moment. She dragged him inside, hoping he was still okay.

Uriah had not yet returned from his morning logging trip. The fire was dying down, but there was still plenty of heat. Shep tried to be helpful as Hannah pulled the Ender's limp body to the hearth. It was a sad sight―such a big, powerful creature reduced to this. Hannah could almost see his life draining away.

"Shep, go get some blankets." Hannah told the dog. He tilted his head, unsure of the new command.

"Blankets, Shep. I can't leave him alone."

Shep hesitated a moment, then got up. Hannah sighed, knowing the dog probably wouldn't figure it out. She knelt at Echo's side. Rubbing her hand along his near-frozen skin.

"Boy, you're really cold," She breathed, using both hands in hopes of warming him up a bit faster. After a few minutes, she checked for a pulse. Still beating. Good.

It took Shep a few tries before he finally found what his owner was asking for. Though they weren't the best blankets in the house, they would do. Shep would get a reward later. Now, Hannah had to focus on keeping Echo warm.

xxx

Uriah said nothing when he found what was waiting for him at the house. It wasn't a surprise. Though Hannah had tried to keep it a secret, he had known all along that she was sneaking fof to take care of the Ender. For some reason, it had never gone back to its own den, choosing instead to suffer out in the open.

"What am I going to do with you?" He sighed, not sure whether he was talking to Hannah or the Ender. Shep stirred, tail wagging when he saw his master.

"You helped her, didn't you?" Uriah said to the dog. "I guess I can't blame you. She can be pretty convincing."

He looked back at Hannah. She was asleep, curled up on the floor near the Ender. The fire had long died down. Uriah would start another later. For now, he retrieved another blanket.

"The things I do for you, 'Nah." He murmured, shaking his head. He looked at the Ender. For such a terrifying creature, it looked vulnerable.

"I'll let him stay." He continued, though no one heard him but Shep. "... I'll let him stay, because I know you trust him. But remember that your safety comes first, should he lose that trust."

xxx

Hannah was surprised to find Uriah there when she woke up. How long had she been asleep?

It almost seemed as if Uriah hadn't even noticed Echo. He went about his business, starting a new fire when he saw she was awake.

"Are you mad at me?" Hannah finally asked him, unnerved by his silence. He set down the log he had been about to put on the fire.

"I'm not mad." He replied. "I knew you would bring him back here eventually."

"How?" Hannah asked, dumbfounded. Uriah chuckled.

"You're not as sneaky as you think, 'Nah."

She allowed herself to smile a bit, though it didn't last.

"There's a catch, isn't there?"

"No. Not yet, at least. Just keep it contained."

"I named him Echo."

"Fine. Keep 'Echo' under control. That's all I'm asking. Don't let him get any ideas, though. I'm not letting him stay here forever."

xxx

Echo wasn't sure what to think when he found himself in the wood-mountain. Hannah came to his side as he awoke, smiling. She didn't say anything.

The male was there too, the one Hannah called Uriah. The Ender still wasn't sure what their relationship was, but judging by how Uriah protected Hannah, they were probably mates.

He watched Echo from across the room. The Ender prickled nervously, staying as far away from him as possible. He wasn't sure he would ever not be a little afraid of Uriah. Even so, he had to stay in the wood-mountain this time. It was a matter of survival, now.

Echo knew the winter refuge of the wood-mountain was his saving grace. He knew that Uriah did not want him there, yet he did not drive the Ender out.

It would take time, but Echo knew he had to prove himself to Uriah. He had to make himself worthy of their trust, not just hope for their mercy.