Chapter 11: Warmth Ahead (written on August 17th, 2020)

Down the passageway, I went. I walked in the darkness for almost an hour. The passageway seemed to go on forever, but my ears perked when a single point of light came into view. Like a star, it twinkled, which suggested that someone was moving in front of it. I picked up speed and smiled.

And there she was, my mathematics instructor, lying near the mouth of the cave. The light brown she-wolf looked tired and out of breath. I approached her cautiously so I wouldn't startle her.

"Ms. Spade?" She turned around and grinned.

"Kate! I can't believe it's you!" I gave her a hug. She was colder than me.

"Why are you hanging over here? It's warmer down there. C'mon!"

"No, it's fine, sweetie..."

"Are you sure?" She replied with a nod. "This storm came quick, didn't it?"

"Yes..." She was oddly quiet.

"Have you seen the other Betas, Ms. Spade? The ones that were going to Sleeping Quarters B? Have you seen my parents?"

"Just call me Spade, sweetie... Yes... Something happened with Eve's group. I was with them..."

"What happened?"

"Too much snow had piled on the den of Sleeping Quarters B. It collapsed... We had nowhere to go... Your father made it to us. He said there was not enough room in Sleeping Quarters A, so we had to go the pack leader's den of the Eastern Pack."

"Why that den?"

"He didn't have time to explain... but your father is older than most of us. We don't question his judgment."

"What happened to you?"

"The winds were so bad... I... I got separated... and I got lost... I wandered in random directions... hoping to find any place of refuge... I was exposed to the storm for the entire night..."

"How'd you survive? I thought I was gonna die!"

"I don't think I did," she replied softly. She shifted her body to the side which revealed her legs. All four of her paws were black. It was the strangest thing I'd ever seen, and it couldn't be good in the slightest, for her limbs smelled rotten.

"Wh... What is that?" I stammered.

"Frostbite," she answered. "You know, I bet your mother would tell me what stage I'm at."

"Stage?"

"Some diseases can progress to more severe forms. In the case of frostbite, the different forms are known formally as 'degrees,' colloquially as 'stages.' I think I'm at the fourth degree, which is usually the highest..."

"Are you gonna be alright?"

"I spent the rest of my energy trying to wiggle myself into this cave. I can't move, Kate..."

"I guess this is it then. We're just gonna wait this storm out?"

"That is our only option, sweetie..."

Later...

I waited next to Spade who fell asleep. The winds never ceased. The snow kept falling. A wolf-shaped figure was approaching, but I paid it no mind. I wasn't going to be tricked by the storm again. I looked away.

"Hello! Is anybody there?!" said a voice outside. I was disoriented. How far was this winter willing to go in order to kill me? "Hello out there! Is anybody nearby?!" I looked back outside. It was Loretta!

"Spade! Spade! Wake up!"

"What?"

"It's Ms. Loretta!" I took a few steps away from the cave and shouted with excitement. "Loretta! Over here!" I was so happy that she was alright.

"Kate! Is that you?!" She ran over to us. When she entered the cave, she shook the snow and ice off of her body. "What are you doing over here?! You're supposed to be with the Betas!"

"I'm sorry... I thought I saw my dad and headed out and... I'm sorry..." She then gave me a hug.

"At least you're safe. That's all that matters." She turned her attention to Spade. "Spade! Are you okay?"

"No, Loretta... I'm done for... I spent last night in the cold... All my legs are gone..." Loretta inspected her dead paws.

"Oh, my gosh... I... I am so sorry..."

"Why did you leave us?!" I questioned. I had a right to know.

"I went looking for your father. I figured if he was gone so long, something bad must've happened. I managed to catch his scent, and I found him, Eve, and the other Betas a few hours ago. They were on their way to the Eastern Pack leader's den since Sleeping Quarters B had fallen apart. Apparently, Tony's den doubles as a shelter that can hold up to fifty wolves in case there's some crazy weather. When we got there, Winston and Tony had some sort of fight. It's complicated, but as a result, Tony wanted me to look around the area for any wolves stuck in the snow. I was planning on heading back over to Sleeping Quarters A afterward."

"Wait," I said. "We're in the Eastern Pack?"

"Yes."

"How can you navigate at all in this?"

"I was once one of the guard wolves surrounding the training grounds. I don't get lost."

"I wish I was you," Spade commented bitterly.

"This cave has a long passage deep inside!" I informed Loretta. "It can take you straight to the Learning Center! I think..."

"Really?"

"Yeah! However, the way out on the other side is blocked. You would have to dig yourself up. Also, it's really dark down there."

"It beats walking around in this weather," she replied. "I'm only three years old. I haven't lived through many winters, but this has to be one of the worst in recent history. I heard reports from Tony's Alphas that a lot of wolves have died. Tony himself has ordered search parties looking for his mate who's missing. I can imagine it's mayhem in the West as well." Spade then sighed after having a coughing fit.

"Today is a sad day indeed..."

"Can you take me to my dad?" I asked. "I want to be near him."

"Okay... but you have to stay close."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Spade... I'm taking you with me."

"No, you're not, sis'... I'm already dead..."

"Sis'?!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, Spade is my sister," said Loretta. "She's a year older than me, from our parents' first litter."

"Loretta, I'm fine here..."

"Quit being so dramatic," the red wolf replied with pity. "Tony's den is less than half a mile away. It's very warm. You had a rough night, so I don't want you cold and alone again." She got underneath Spade and lifted her up. She was going to carry the mathematics instructor on her back. "You ready, Kate?"

"Of course," I responded. I was very much motivated to see my father once more.