Vapour trailed from a pair of chapped lips as snow crunched under the heavy footfall of two figures. They huddled close as they sought shelter from the bitter winds and encroaching night.

  "How about that one?" one member of the pair asked. His beard was unkempt and sported an impressive collection of snowflakes. He released the strap of his tattered rucksack and gestured to the husk of a bombed out building.

  With a voice muffled by the frayed scarf wrapped around her neck and mouth, the woman responded, "Wind's from the east."

  "So?"

  "East wall's too damaged."

  The duo trudged on. Surrounding them was white desolation; haunting remnants of a city barely broke up the hazy skyline. A howl of wind whistled through the decrepit structures. Cringing, the man immediately covered his ears. In reflexive concern, the woman wrapped her arms about him. "That's wind. Not them."

  He shook his head and broke away at a run, his mismatched boots leaving asymmetrical footprints in the snow.

  "Jad, no!" Alternating between numbness and deep aching, her feet broke into a run after him. "Jad, come back!"

  Jad wailed in agony as he slipped and skidded through slippery streets, stymied by the wear on his treads. Every time he teetered, she cringed and anticipated a fall, but he always managed to scramble back up, indomitable in his terror.

  "They're coming! They're coming!"

  "No one's here!" she called out, but her voice was carried away by the biting wind.

  Unfortunately, she was gravely mistaken.

  After Jad disappeared around a corner, the woman heard a shriek. Spurring herself into greater speed, she left caution behind. Moments later the white sky was all she could see, and her back side ached as her ragged clothes barely provided insulation from the snow she landed in. Everything ached, but her exhausted knees objected most as she struggled back to her feet.

  Panic turned to terror. Something dark spread in the snow in front of her. The pervading night drained colour from the scene, but she feared it may be blood.

  Growls and a sickening crunch reached her ears. The conflict between fleeing and rushing to her companion's aid wrestled within her. She could not abandon Jad after everything they'd been through. Steady. Her hand went out to the nearby wall to steady herself. Holding her breath, she peered around the corner.

  In the moonlight she barely made out two men, if one could call them that. Dark shadows obscuring their sunken eyes were highlighted by cheeks gaunt and hollow. Their exposed skin was white as snow. One had torn off Jad's mitten and was gnawing on his hand, while the other was lapping up blood from a gash in his neck. Jad's eyes were wide with shock, but devoid of life.

  Scream. She wanted to scream. She needed to scream. But the air she inhaled stuck in her throat, and her hands went to her mouth as a barricade. It wasn't enough. A strangled gasp escaped.

  The two monsters looked up in unison. The one who had been devouring Jad's hand threw him at the other. The remaining creature clung tight to his prize, biting the neck with renewed vigor.

  The hideous man-creature lifted his nose, sniffing like a wolf before he lurched towards the woman. Finally, her scream freed itself and she turned to run.

  One step. Two steps. Three, and she was hit from behind. Down she pitched. She screamed again. Burning pain burst upon her neck and radiated down her shoulders as the monster yanked her head back by her hair.

  Suddenly, she was released. Her head flung forward and her forehead hit the ice. Her vision blurred, and her ears rang. There were confused noises all around her, but all she could focus on was the pain as it reverberated through her skull. The woman managed to pick herself up and crawl a few paces forward, but her hand lost traction. She slipped forward, bringing her face onto the ground again. She stared in a daze as dark spots formed on the ice beneath her.

  Footsteps crunched in the snow behind her. She rallied her waning strength and tried to get up again.

  "No, get away, get away!"

  She twisted around to spot her attacker. The harsh winds blew the clouds away from the gibbous moon, bringing down silvery light on a looming figure. It wasn't either of the ghoulish creatures. In confusion, her eyes darted around. Two crumpled forms lay on either side of the figure. The woman looked up again, bringing her hands up defensively. "Please..."

  The figure extended a hand to the woman, and she flinched. There the hand remained. Although gloved, one of the fingers of the glove hung limp. All she could see was the outline of a fur-rimmed hood and a heavy, long coat. Afraid, bereaved, and confused, the woman reached out for the hand. With a grip yet gentle grip, she was helped to her feet.

  "Did you...?"

  The nod was barely perceptible. The tattered woman looked in terror at the two lumps on the ground. In the pale moonlight, she could see they were desiccated. But beyond her lay the remains of her dear Jad. "Oh... Jad... Oh..." She stumbled past the stranger and fell to her knees beside him, throwing herself over his lifeless form. "Jad..."

  The woman felt a hand on her shoulder. She continued to sob, but reached up, taking the hand in her own.

  "We can't stay here," a quiet voice cautioned.

  "I can't leave him!" the woman cried. She then paused, suddenly looking up at her saviour. It suddenly dawned on her that the voice which spoke to her sounded feminine.

  "Then stay." The figure shrugged. The stranger extricated her hand from the grieving traveller. The woman was dumbstruck by how quickly her plight was dismissed. She looked again at her dearly departed, but knew only death lay in lingering. The stranger saved her for a reason. Numbness and compliance overtaking her, she rose and followed robotically after the stranger.

  The woman was led through a maze of burnt out structures. Amidst one, there was a hatch which the stranger opened, and bid her follower to enter. Grateful to finally find shelter, she descended. The stranger followed, closing the hatch tight, turning a heavy valve to lock it from within.

  "You're back early... who's this?" came an alarmed voice. The woman blinked as her eyes adjusted to the warmly lit interior. The entryway was cramped. There was a heavy brown curtain which stretched across an opening, and lining the walls were hooks and makeshift cubbies for footwear. Peering out from behind the curtain was a man with light brown hair and patchy whiskers. He looked unusually clean and well fed.

  "Don't know," the stranger responded. She then turned to the woman. "Who are you?"

  "I..." the woman was stunned. She was numb from the cold, and from the shock. It took her a moment to even think of her own name. "Anna."

  Anna watched in bewilderment as the man gave the other woman a questioning look. However, her saviour made no response as she pulled down her hood and removed her hat and scarf. Anna marvelled as the features of her rescuer became clearer. The woman, nay, girl who dispatched those beasts was pale and younger than herself. It was difficult to discern her age. No wrinkles, no scars, nor sagging was apparent. But neither was there baby fat nor softness of youth. The cold had barely left a flush on her sallow cheeks. Her long face and straight nose made Anna think of a horse, but she wouldn't consider the girl particularly homely.

  "Alright, Anna," the man said, stepping fully out from behind the curtain and crossing his arms. "Where did you come from?"

  Anna shivered as the day's long journey came back into sharp focus. She breathed heavily, trying to come to terms with the emotions that slammed back into her. Seeing her shake, the younger girl was immediately at her side, steadying her by the elbows. "Thought... I thought we got away from them... them things!"

  "I found her being attacked by two abominations," the young heroine explained. "There was a man with her. He didn't make it."

  "My partner, my Jad!" Anna croaked, her voice giving way to raw emotion. Wordlessly, the girl helped Anna out of her wet wrappings.

  "So... I guess she's staying, then," the man said, sounding exasperated and defeated.

  "Only for one night. Can you see to her? There is something I still need to take care of," the girl said, putting her hat back on. She was halfway up the ladder before the man could protest. He sighed and looked to Anna.

  "Right this way, Anna."

  Anna stepped into a cosy sight she had only dreamt of. The light cast a warm glow over upholstered furniture, shelves stacked with all manner of trinkets and supplies, and an intricately patterned rug thrown over the concrete floor. The finishing touch that brought more tears to Anna's eyes was to see a woman sitting on a faded floral couch, with a child on either side of her, reading from a book. It seemed like something from another world.

  The woman and children curiously looked up at the soggy, middle-aged woman who stepped into their sanctuary. "This is-"

  "Anna. We heard," The woman on the couch locked gazes with Anna and then offered a hesitant smile. The two children huddled closer. Both of them were prepubescent, but Anna wasn't sure how to guess their ages. They looked robust, though. Both had light hair, one a bit blonder than the other. "It's not like Rena to bring people back. But, please, accept our hospitality." The woman nodded graciously and gestured to an armchair. The cushion had a deep impression in it, and there were streaks from old runs and scratches in the fabric. As shabby as it was, it was very inviting to the beleaguered woman.

  "You must be exhausted," the man said, sighing. "Scoot," he commanded one of the children, who turned and squished himself up closer to the woman. The man sat down. "I suppose introductions are in order. I'm Peter, this is Nel," the woman nodded, lowering her book. "As for these two, this is Maple," he gestured to the older of the two, a girl with plaited hair and a dimpled chin. He then pointed to the light-haired boy who had crawled halfway into Nel's lap, "...and that is Ash."

  "Gor, they're a pair of cados," Anna said, putting a hand to her heart. She felt the ache in it even more, seeing the life she never could have lived. Everything seemed unreal.

  The kids looked at each other in confusion, and then peered warily at the woman. "What's a cado?"

  "Dunno. Something me marm'd say. It's good," Anna reassured. By now she was starting to feel the numbness drain out of her extremities, replaced by tingling and pain. She grimaced and held up her bright red hands.

  "That doesn't look good. Peter, get her a warm drink. Maple, fetch the medicine kit," Nel instructed. Maple scampered off on her errand. Ash took the opportunity to climb into the spot vacated by Maple, donning a smug smile.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  "...Why you all being nice?" Happy families were a foreign concept to Anna, as was hospitality from a stranger. If she hadn't been broken down by her fear and grief, she would never have followed so meekly.

  "We don't get many travellers through here." Nel walked over to examine their guest. Anna winced as Nel prodded around her tender nose. "I don't think it's broken." Nel then lifted Anna's hands. "Frostbite may set in if we don't take care of those fingers soon. I'll get a bucket of warm water to soak your hands in."

  This left the youngest boy, who sat on the couch swinging his legs. He picked up the book his mother had been reading to them, peeked at the pictures. How odd it was to see children reading. Books were usually just used as fuel back home, when they were found. The boy looked up and squinted at Anna. "You're old."

  "Not so old," Anna responded, unsure whether to be amused or affronted. Mostly she just felt tired.

  "Older than Mom and Pop," Ash insisted. Anna sighed and nodded her head. She could not argue that. "Where do you live?"

  "Nowhere," Anna responded, a new pang clawing at her heart. She knew the child meant no malice by prying, but it was uncomfortable all the same.

  "Would you like to live here?" Ash's eyes brightened with excitement.

  "Well..." Anna wasn't sure what to say. She smiled, then her smile quickly vanished. These people were strange to Anna, but the bunker was warm, and judging by the boys plump cheeks, they had plenty to eat. But she sensed the adults didn't want her sticking around. And rightly so. To her relief, Peter returned with a blue mug.

  "Ash, go to your room," Peter instructed. Ash pouted, but it had no effect on his father who crossed his arms and tapped his foot, his glare of authority coming down heavy on the small child. Grumbling, the young boy shuffled off. A woodsy aroma wafted up from the mug, surprising Anna. She peered at the cup, but all she saw was a dark mug with liquid in it. Peter cleared his throat, then added, "That's spruce tea. It's not as bad as it sounds."

  "Oh." Anna decided she would let it sit a while longer. Next Maple came back with medical supplies, which she dutifully placed down beside Anna. With a look from her father, she, too, was banished. Maple paused before the curtain, glancing back at Anna with a far more wary expression than her brother wore, then disappeared.

  "Alright, Anna. Why are you here?"

  The question felt abrupt, but Anna sighed. She couldn't blame Peter for getting straight to the point. "I... that girl brought me here..."

  "I mean, why were you two in the area?"

  "Oh." Anna swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She picked up the mug, stared at it a while, then set it back down. "Jad and me had to run. Came from a small, wardless huddle. But raiders found us, took so much. Then the vamps came, finished us off. Don't know anyone but Jad 'n me got out. Been running north because we know we won't make it in the Bleak. And the Bleak's spreading."

  Lines formed on Peter's forehead as he listened. Partway through her story, Nel had walked in, but she quietly remained at the periphery until Anna had finished speaking. They exchanged glances, then looked to Anna. Nel knelt down beside her, holding up a bucket. "Put your hands in here."

  "How long have you been travelling?" Peter asked as he opened the medical kit, pulling out some cotton. He moistened it and handed it to Nel, who began dabbing at the blood on Anna's face. Anna placed her hands in the water. It was pleasantly warm, but her hands felt as though they were expanding and shrinking at the same time, and stung ferociously.

  "Oh... pffft..." Anna spat as some of the cotton got too close to her lips. "Maybe three days."

  "Hmmm you've got a cut up in your hairline, too... but there isn't too much swelling so hopefully nothing is fractured," Nel remarked as she ran her fingers gently along Anna's scalp.

  "Three days. And how far was the Bleak from your home?" Peter asked as he prepared some gauze.

  "Day south? Maybe." Anna responded after thinking for a while. "Didn't go south much." Peter looked increasingly more grim, and Nel dispirited.

  "I thought the thaw would finally be coming. It's been years I've seen spring," Nel said wistfully as she dressed Anna's wounds to the best of her ability.

  "I ain't ever seen the Bleak til last few years. Just heard folk talk," Anna admitted. Again Peter and Nel gave each other meaningful looks. "You?"

  Peter shook his head, but Nel went quiet, a haunted look cast over her eyes. "My parents lived further south. We fled north from the Bleak when I was a little girl."

  "Oh. Musta been scary."

  Nel looked Anna over again, searching for anything else that needed tending. "I'll prep a place for you to sleep tonight. But you'll have to leave tomorrow. There's a fort to the east that we trade with sometimes called Whoop-up. If you can work, they will take you in." Peter put everything neatly in its place in the kit, snapping it shut.

  "I work," Anna said with an eager nod. Nel lifted Anna's hands out of the water, inspecting them carefully.

  "The freeze has not set in too bad; everything is looking normal." Nel smiled warmly at Anna, still holding her hands. "We are sorry for your loss, Anna." A lump rising in Anna's throat choked out any thanks she could offer, and instead she lowered her head, embarrassed. Nel patted her on the shoulder and rose to her feet. "I'll get some sheets."

  Growls and barks emanated from the darkness, as tall shadows against a moonlight tapestry performed a puppet play of violence. Rena sighed and watched for a moment, then slowly cast her gaze to the source, half hidden by low lying rubble and the sparse remains of naked trees.

  "Claptrap! Rigamarole! That's enough!"

  There was a sharp whine and a wolf padded towards Rena, ears back and tail hanging low. He sniffed at her feet and then sat up, mouth wide with a yawn that ended in a squeak. The other wolf kept his distance, snorting derisively and standing his ground.

  "Keep guard," Rena instructed, locking eyes with the penitent canine. Almost immediately he rose to his feet, and she felt a sense of understanding. Shaking snow off his back, the wolf sprinted off to perform his duties, the other reluctantly following.

  Rena lifted her head, sniffing the air. A familiar musty scent. A slight smile curled up one side of her cheek, but it soon faded. "Kerfuffle, with me."

  Barrel chested and fur that doubled her perceived size, the creamy malamute trotted over to her, wagging her fluffy tail, puffs of steam panting out of her open mouth. The two set off to the site of Jad's unfortunate demise.

  Upon reaching the location, it was as Rena feared. A third of those abominations had followed the smell of blood and was sucking out what fluids were left in Jad's body. Kerfuffle growled and stood her ground, hair raised. Rena put a hand down to her, keeping her back.

  This one looks fresher, Rena thought to herself. Fully clothed, and skin not nearly as wrinkled. But its pale skin was no mistake. And as it turned to her, what little light the moon offered reflected out through its predatory pupils. Rena grabbed the axe strapped to her side and waited. Kerfuffle slinked into the shadows and waited.

  There was a snarl, then a high pitched croak, almost like a whimper. There was something almost human enough in it to recognise it ought to flee. But it was more the monster in it that recognised Rena. She tightened her grip. The hesitation was over. Crouched on hands and knees, it shrieked a challenge at her before launching itself forward.

  Wait. Wait. Now. With precision, the axe fell, lodging itself into the monster's cranium. With its momentum, it still ploughed into Rena, causing her to stagger back. She pushed it away and yanked her axe free.

  The large gash in its head dribbled thick, viscous blood. It turned to scramble away, when Kerfuffle blocked its escape. Slowed by the large dog tearing at its kneecaps, Rena executed a horizontal slash into the creature's neck. With a hatchet, there was no such thing as a clean beheading. Instead, Rena hacked again and again at the flailing creature as it gurgled in protest and clawed at her desperately, only managing to whisper against her leather arm guards.

  The deed done, Rena sighed. She did her best not to look too closely at the mangled remains of Jad as she walked over to a pile of rubble and knelt down, beginning to pull whatever she could loose. The ground was too frozen to dig a grave. The next best thing would be to enclose him in a crude tomb of crumbled bricks, gypsum, and splintered beams.

  Left in the snow close to Jad's remains was a rucksack. Rena knelt down and picked it up, brushing the tiny ice crystals off of it. It smelled moldy, but likely had the only belongings of these wayfarers. Rena sighed and slung it over her shoulder, then dragged Jad's corpse to his final resting place.

  There was a heavy scraping sound, followed by a woosh of air that disturbed the curtains near the entryway. Nel looked up from tucking sheets into the couch. The hollow clank of someone descending the ladder rang out.

  "Everything alright, Rena?" Nel asked. There was a sound of fabric swishing, and the plop of soggy, heavy clothes hitting the ground.

  "Yes." Rena walked into the room, carrying Jad's bag. Locking eyes with Anna, she dropped it on the floor.

  Anna's eyes widened and she put a mottled hand to her chest. "You went back for it!" Seeing Rena without her overcoat made it harder to believe that she had bested the two vamps by herself. She was about to say something when she suddenly went quiet, a chorus of howls heard even through the thick concrete above.

  "Don't worry. That's just the patrol. We're safe here," Nel said with a smile as she fluffed up a pillow.

  "Oh." She tried to steady her nerves and listened. This wasn't the high pitched whistle of the things that attacked her and Jad. This... this was the forlorn howl of wolves. Wolves were somewhat less frightening. At least a loud noise would usually scare them off. Usually.

  "I buried Jad. It was too dangerous to leave him out there," Rena explained.

  Anna's countenance drooped. She felt a lack of closure at not being part of his burial. But she understood. She took in a shaky breath.

  "There, all ready for you," Nel said, standing up. Anna smiled and stiffly walked on sore joints over to the makeshift bed, easing herself down on it.

  "Thank you... Rena?" Anna looked over at the girl, for the first time noticing she was missing a finger on her right hand. Rena tilted her head, her expression distant. She felt a chill as Rena stared right through her. This caused Anna to fumble and mumble out an apology, although she was not sure what for. Rena immediately looked away, half lidded eyes dropping their gaze to the floor.

  After a few moments of awkward silence, Rena got up and disappeared further into the curtain-cordoned bunker. Anna frowned and looked at Nel, who had been tidying up. "What'd I do?"

  "Nothing. Rena is just... shy," Nel said after a furtive pause. She picked up the empty mug, and stared down at it a moment.

  "Really? Brave and shy," Anna said, unable to reconcile the two statements. Nel laughed lightly.

  "She's in her element with monsters." She cleared her throat, glancing at the curtain.

  Anna furrowed her eyebrows at this statement. Maybe some sort of family joke. "She your sister?"

  "No."

  "Oh." Both women flagged into silence, unsure how to continue the conversation. Anna shifted her position, trying to find a position that allowed her sore body to relax. "You all talk strange."

  "Do we?" Nel seemed a bit surprised. "It's normal where we're from."

  "Oh."

  The silence returned. Nel made herself busy, taking away the empty mug and there was a commonplace clatter beyond the inner curtains suggestive of cleaning up. Anna curled up under the quilt, resting her head on the pillow. These people were friendly, but very strange. They weren't pockmarked and weathered like the people from home. She worried under what terms they extended their hospitality, but she had nowhere else to go. And now, she was truly alone.

  "We must go back to Fisham." Peter paced in the crowded bedroom, trying not to trip on the corner of the old mattress that lay on the floor.

  "They voted for my removal. I complied." Rena lowered her head, pursing her lips and narrowing her eyes. "I will not return."

  "If the Bleak has reached this far north, they will be unprotected!" Peter threw his arms down, rounding on the two women who sat upon the mattress.

  Nel brought up her knees. "Calm down. Your family know the risks. It's all part of that Fisher legacy."

  "Don't tell me about the Fisher legacy!" Peter sputtered. Both ladies arched their eyebrows in reproach. He sighed and plunked down on the floor beside them, rubbing his temples. "I'm sorry. Oath or not, I need to go back."

  Rena's face betrayed no emotion as she levelled a steady gaze at him. "You realise that would put me in a very difficult situation."

  Peter rubbed the top of his head, his short hairs scratching against his calloused hands. "I know!" He huffed. "I know. But with the Bleak encroaching, they may change their minds. They need all the help they can get."

  Rena's features grew pensive and she stared off into a dark corner. Her elbow rested on her knee, and her chin perched upon her palm. "I'm not stopping you. But if they do not revoke their decree, you must accept the full responsibility of our pact." Rena left with a deliberate gait.

  Nel's eyes widened, catching a grim expression on Peter's face. "That sounded ominous. What did she mean?"

  Peter winced as a pained expression came onto his face. He crawled into the bed beside Nel, reaching an arm about her. She waited for elaboration. It took him some time before he could reply. "I swore if I could no longer serve Rena... I would kill her."