Zack ran through the snow, his legs pumping violently as they dug into the wet ice on the ground. Already he could feel a cramp forming in his thigh from having to push against the snow instead of being able to run freely on the ground without any hindrance.

There was a cry from behind him as one of Lydecker's men spotted him. A quick glance behind told Zack that he was going to have to either pick the pace up greatly or get out of their shooting range. If he continued to go at the rate he was going, he would most surely be captured right along next to Max.

Max. God, they had her and it was his entire fault! Had he not allowed Max to take that devil of a woman, she would have been safe and right by his side.

With the guilt of Max's capture pressing heavily upon Zack, he was able to speed through the snow and ice of the forest, efficiently losing the men. But, he knew that they would be able to follow his snowy footsteps. So, he swung himself up into one of the nearby trees and jumped from tree to tree until he was enough distance away that the soldiers wouldn't even think of looking for him in that area.

Zack landed in a snowy bank and immediately regretted that he had jumped down from the trees so soon. Now, he not only had to think about the capture of Max, but also about freezing to death in wet pants and shirt.

No, he told himself, you will not die. Not while Max is still in their hands. It's all about mind over matter, Zack. How hard is that?

Pushing himself up and out of the snow, Zack knew that he was going to have to get reinforcements. He had only one gun-a tiny pistol at that-and himself. He needed to get to a phone and call the others, or steal a better gun, perhaps an Uzi to efficiently wipe out Lydecker that demon lady.

But which way was humanity? He was alone in the forest, in the middle of the night, surrounded by snow and trees for as far as he could see. If he had been thinking right when he had jumped the Manticore fence, he would've headed for the motorcycles. But, now, he didn't even know where those were, let alone where he was.

Yet, Zack refused to just give up. He had to keep on moving so that the blood in his body would keep on flowing and therefore he wouldn't freeze to death. Taking long, efficient strides, Zack moved swiftly through the snowy world.

Suddenly, out of nowhere there was a noise like someone stepping on a stick. Zack immediately flattened himself against a tree and pulled out the gun for extra precautionary measures. Great. Who could it be now?
A shadowy figure walked slowly towards Zack, but not seeing him as they limped along. Hesitantly, Zack moved closer to the person, observing that they were injured and were going to have a harder time attacking him.

He would have been prepared for Lydecker, or any of his men, or even that Manticore lady herself, but he certainly wasn't prepared for the person that came hobbling towards him.

Brin.