Page 23 of Klaz
Cinta let out a low whistle. “It’s beautiful.”
I grunted in agreement, scanning the horizon for any sign of habitation or rescue. Nothing but endless white stretched as far as I could see.
“Unfortunately,” I said. “This cave won’t protect us from another storm.”
Cinta nodded, already packing up our meager supplies. “Where to next?”
I pointed to a distant ridge. “Higher ground. Might give us a better vantage point.”
We set off across the snow-covered plain, our boots crunching with each step. The silence was oppressive, broken only by our labored breathing. I kept a watchful eye on Cinta, noting how her teeth chattered despite the layers we’d salvaged from the escape pod.
I watched Cinta’s shoulders shake as we trudged through the snow. Her thin frame looked even more fragile against the stark white landscape. The wind whipped at her hair, sending auburn strands dancing around her face. She stumbled, catching herself before I could reach out to steady her.
“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath. This wouldn’t do.
I stopped abruptly, causing Cinta to nearly collide with me. She looked up, confusion etched across her features.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice barely audible over the howling wind.
Without a word, I shrugged off my pack and rummaged through it. My fingers closed around the thermal blankets. They weren’t much, but they’d have to do.
“Come here,” I said, gesturing for Cinta to step closer.
She hesitated, wariness flickering in her eyes. “Why?”
“Because you’re freezing, and I won’t have you dying of hypothermia on my watch.”
Cinta’s eyes widened, but she didn’t argue. She took a tentative step forward, and I seized the opportunity. With a snap, I unfurled the thermal blankets and draped them around her shoulders.
“Hold still,” I instructed, my fingers working quickly to fashion a makeshift cloak. I tucked and folded the material, creating a hood to protect her head from the biting wind.
As I worked, the softness of her skin where my knuckles brushed against her neck made me pause. The scent of her hair, even dulled by the cold, sent a jolt through me. Dammit.
“There,” I said, stepping back to survey my handiwork. The thermal blankets now formed a snug cloak around Cinta, complete with a hood that framed her face.
She blinked up at me, surprise evident in her expression. “I... thank you,” she murmured, pulling the cloak tighter around herself.
I nodded curtly, ignoring the warmth that bloomed through me at her gratitude. “It’s not much, but it should help keep you warm.”
We trudged on in silence for what felt like hours. The ridge seemed no closer, and fatigue was setting in. I was about to suggest a rest when a low rumble echoed across the plain.
I froze, holding up a hand to halt Cinta. “Did you hear that?”
She nodded, eyes wide. The rumble came again, closer this time. The ground beneath our feet trembled.
“What is it?” Cinta whispered.
Before I could answer, a massive shape burst from beneath the snow. Six legs, each as thick as tree trunks, propelled a bear-like body covered in thick, icy fur. Its roar shook the air around us.
“Run!” I shouted, grabbing Cinta’s hand and pulling her along.
We sprinted across the snow, the creature’s thunderous footfalls growing closer with each second. My mind raced, searching for a way out. We had no weapons, no shelter...
“The ice formations!” Cinta yelled, pointing to a cluster of towering spires ahead.
Understanding dawned. I veered towards the crystalline structures, Cinta keeping pace beside me. The beast was almost upon us, its hot breath steaming in the frigid air.
We reached the ice formations, diving between two narrow spires. The creature roared in frustration, too large to follow. It circled, searching for a way in.