Chapter 2 Two Hikers
1000 Words
Morgan's PoV
"That's what I'm doing, Mother. Even if it's these strangers' last rites, I will see them to their final destination safely and protect them with everything I have."
With the bodies loaded and secured to the sled, I turn back to the dog who looks at me with eyes full of sadness.
I wonder briefly when he last ate and fished around in the backpack for a few seconds, retrieving a bag of Jerky I had cured before winter set in.
At the sound of the packet opening, the dog's ears perk up and he c***s his head at me. I suppress a smile as I take a piece and squat down, hoping to make myself seem a little less imposing.
"Are you hungry? Come here doggo!" I called, lifting my voice an octave in the hopes of enticing him over and much to my surprise, it worked.
It stood and trotted over cautiously, stopping a short distance from me as it sniffed the air tentatively, its eyes focused on the strip of meat in my outstretched hand.
"Here," I said as I threw it towards the dog and quickly retrieved another from the packet as it snuffed cautiously at the jerky on the ground, before gobbling it down and looking up at me expectantly, its tail beginning to wag hopefully.
"You like that, huh?" I chuckled, offering another piece and he inched closer, sniffing at my hand before gently, taking the offered treat and wolfing that down too.
I slowly reached for the collar around his neck and inspected the flat metal that was wrapped around it.
I snorted as I looked at him incredulously.
"I don't even want to know why they called you that," I snorted, brushing what I could of the snow off his coat and inspecting the harness that was still attached around his middle.
It was mostly intact and I had a spare D-Ring in my backpack as well as some rope, so I could safely attach him to the sled.
"Come on, Dingus. It's okay." I said reassuringly, coaxing the large dog that I assumed was a Malamute based on his size alone, "You're not alone," I assured him, although I wasn't totally sure whether or not the words were more for myself or for my new found companion.
We were both guardians that had been f****d over by fate and abandoned, now seemingly tethered by shared loss.
I extend a hand toward the sled, and after a moment he hops on, settling amidst the firewood with a huff that sends a cloud of frost into the air. His presence is somehow comforting. After being alone for such a long time, it made a nice change to have company in the barren wilds of the mountain.
With Dingus secured, I reach into the pocket of my heavy coat, fingers brushing against the frigid metal of my phone. The screen blinks to life against the dim light, a beacon of connection in this isolated expanse.
"Evergreen Mayor's office," a voice answers, crisp and efficient.
"Mayor Whitaker, it's me, Morgan Foster." I answered curtly.
There was no need for formalities in this small town, everyone knew everyone else's business and as much as it irked me on any normal day, this wasn't a normal day.
"I'm up on the north ridge trail. There's been... an incident."
"Morgan? What sort of incident?" The concern in Henry's voice is unmistakable, even through the static.
"Two hikers," I say, eyes fixed on the still forms beneath the quilt I've draped over them. "They didn't make it. Hypothermia, looks like. I'll bring them down."
A heavy sigh travels through the line.
"Goddammit. That's the Carter girl's folks, isn't it?"
"Unless you know of any other missing folks in the same age range, it appears so," I reply, the weight of the truth pressing down on me.
Melanie Carter, the woman who was known for being sunshine incarnate. Whenever she was in Evergreen she always seemed to stir up more than just the snowflakes. Her laughter had echoed through the town, reaching even the shadowed corners where I dwell but I had never had occasion to speak to her. I kept interactions with the human population as brief as possible.
"Alright, we'll send a team to meet you halfway. Be careful, Morgan. There's a storm that's blowing in and given half the chance, looks like it's going to turn real mean."
"I know. It's that time of year." I answer grimly.
The call ends, and I slip the phone away, feeling the first tendrils of dread curl within me. Another big storm is on its way and another period of being cut off from the civilization that I didn't want any part of anyway.
I suppose there's a silver lining to every cloud.
I look down at Dingus, who watches me with a solemn understanding, and then back at the bodies of the people that Melanie had called family. I briefly wondered if she had anyone else to call family, or if she was alone in the world now as well, but quickly pushed the thought aside.
It was none of my business. I didn't know the woman personally so why should I care?
My mother would have known exactly what to say, how to comfort. But her gentle voice was just an echo in the wind now, lost to time.
"Let's get them home, boy," I murmur, taking the sled's reins in a firm grip, squaring my shoulders and setting off with determination etched into every line on my face.
I was doing this for Melanie, for duty, honor and the unspoken vows that bound me to this place and its people.
Together, man and dog, we begin our descent, a somber procession making its way through the thickening veil of snow. And as we move, I feel it- the inexorable pull of the impending storm and the weight of the unyielding solitude that suffocates my soul.
- Writer
