We split in half, Tritan and another man came along with me. We were in charge of the patrol group farthest from our team and closest to the tent of resting soldiers.
The three of us moved silently, carefully watching our steps and surroundings.
As we grew closer, I pulled my pocket knife out of my pocket.
Tristan glanced at me nervously.
Upon hearing steps in the distance, I froze and clutched my knife.
"I wish one of them would just spill so we can leave this place."
"I'll give it to them. Most would've caved by now."
The other chuckled. "It's useless in the end anyway. Give me a sec, I gotta take a piss."
The crunch of leaves accompanied the silence of the night.
I quickly stepped closer as the man began to do his business on a nearby tree.
With swift movements, I stepped behind and brought my hand around his neck.
Before a word escaped his lips, my arm withdrew and the blade in my hand slid over his neck. I grabbed him as he gurgled and placed him on the ground.
"Actually, I gotta go-"
My head snapped up.
The other soldier and I exchanged a moment of slow acknowledgement before he began to fumble for his walkie.
I grit my teeth and launched my knife.
It won't reach on time!
Just as his finger was about to press the button, a small rock hit his hand.
He exclaimed in pain, letting go of the walkie and mere seconds later, my knife hit him square in the head.
The man's body fell with a loud thump and the silence added to the tension in the air.
After a few moments, I relaxed, glancing at the direction of the tosser and nodded at the man, who returned it to me gravely.
Tristan, however, was as white as a ghost.
"Hey T, are you good?" The other guy whispered, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Good shot or not, he's going to get himself killed.
"If you can't do this, go back." My voice came out harsher than I anticipated, but I hoped it was enough to pull him back to his senses.
Gathering some color, he shook his head. "Let's go." His voice shook, "I can still do this."
A moment passed before we nodded and continued, however, I didn't fail to catch his rigid and immediate avoidance to look at the bodies on the ground.
He flinched slightly when he stepped in the pool of blood.
Will he be able to shoot a person when the moment comes?
I was filled with doubt and the desire to forcefully send him back.
Even so, this moment would serve as a way to harden himself and come to a realization that the world was a lot harsher than he knew.
I pulled myself out of my thoughts as we were approaching the closest we could be to the soldier's quarters. My heart began to race as I glanced at the others. They prepared themselves and nodded when they were ready.
My eyes focused on the tent in front of me.
Okay. Breathe. Envision the way the ice crawls over the tent. The way-
My father's dead stare in the storm appeared in my head.
I gasped, opening my eyes and brought my arms close to my body.
Any ice I had created has started to melt.
My body flinched when Tristan placed a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" He mouthed.
There was no time to freak out. There was too much at stake and people were depending on me.
Turning back, I placed my focus on the tent once more and pushed back any intruding thoughts.
Surely, the tent began to freeze over, quickly and quietly, ice blanketed the cloth that once flapped quietly.
Once it was fully covered, my hands balled into fists, causing the blanket of ice to harden.
In the distance, the soldiers guarding laughed into the night sky.
The first part of the plan was complete and now the whole thing was set into motion.
After a quick nod, our partner stood up and cried out. "Intruders!"
My finger on the trigger tensed as we approached the tent carefully.
There was a commotion in the distance and as quickly as flies gathered, they appeared.
When distracted due to the tent, we attacked.
The element of surprise allowed us to take a couple of them.
My eyes quickly glanced at Tristan, who's fingers seemed to be stuck on the trigger.
I stepped in front of him, quickly shooting anyone who turned our way.
"We need assistance!" One of the soldier's cried, moments before my bullet pierced his head.
My eyes caught someone sneaking around the corner and my finger quickly executed them.
A crunch was heard in front of me but before I could react, a gunshot behind me rang out.
The woman in front of me tumbled to the ground, blood seeping through a hole in her head.
I turned to Tristan, whose gun was still raised.
"I- I told you I was a good shot." He grinned weakly.
My lips opened to respond but the sound of silence stopped me.
The air was still, as if nothing had perspired.
"That's all of them." The other man appeared. "Let's meet the others."
Up close, the group seemed worse than anticipated.
Many of them were unable to walk and others unconscious.
"Snow, there's a lot more people who can't walk than we thought. I'm not sure a sled will help."
"Why don't we use one of those?" Someone pointed at a truck in the distance.
Sani thought for a moment before giving up reluctantly.
"It's risky but there's no other choice. See if you can get it running. If a key is needed, look for it quickly. We have no time to waste."
She turned to me. "Snow, Michael asked for your help before losing consciousness."
I turned to look at him, or who I assumed was him.
His face and body was so disfigured and swollen, it nearly sent my stomach into a twist.
My eyes trailed down to his legs.
They were twisted in inhuman gables, dried blood soaked his ripped pants.
If he survives… I don't think he'll be able to walk again.
This time, my stomach did twist.
"Snow." Sani blocked my view, placing a hand on my shoulder. "He'll be okay. His voice was stronger than ever. Okay?"
I nodded slowly.
"He told me that some of the group that stayed behind left to escape before they were taken prisoners. He believes they're trapped in the tunnels. Could you go see if you can save them?"
That must be where Arianna is.
I quickly nodded.
"The front entrance collapsed so take Leani with you."
Leani, who heard their name, looked in our direction.
"I want to come too." Tristan appeared.
Sani nodded. "Assist them if needed. We'll meet back at the cave. All of you, be careful."
After finding the entrance of the base, I quickly mapped out the exit which had collapsed that night.
The heavy snow that day caused the exit to become almost indistinguishable, however, I was sure.
Leani followed my instructions, creating a path into the dark.
A small white light began to appear and as the hole grew larger, we faced a group with hardened faces and pointed guns.
Dr. Simmons quickly ordered everyone to lower their guns. "It's good to see you guys."
We began to work quickly under the clouded night sky, pulling injured out and providing water to the group. One-by-one my eyes waited and was disappointed with each person.
Until there was no one left.
No- She- She has to be here. Where is she?!
I quickly ran to Dr. Simmons. "Where is she?"
He shook his head. "We lost track of everyone when the tunnels collapsed. We were lucky enough to be closer to the exit. Arianna was farther inside."
I clutched my flashlight and headed down.
"Snow! Wait!" Tristan ran towards me. "I'll go with you."
A part of me appreciated his aid, but I knew he would be more helpful here.
"They need you here. There's too many people for one person. You need to help them."
"But-"
"I'll be fine. I'll meet you at the cave."
"Snow- be careful!" He shouted after me.
The sound of thunder echoed in the far distance.
It was darker than I had ever seen it before, whatever lights left on the ceiling were out.
Deeper inside, I was faced with a wall of broken concrete. Large pieces fitted together and tightly like a puzzle. It blocked any further path.
With my flashlight, I illuminated along the wall, looking for a way through.
Luckily there was one, a tight and small pathway.
Without hesitation, I crawled through.
Arianna is through here. She is through here.
The walls of the crawl space squeezed on my sides. My breathing grew shakier by the second but I pushed through.
A heavy breath of air escaped my mouth when I was finally out.
It's okay. We're through. We're through.
Once catching my breath, I stood up and observed my surroundings. There was still no light, however it seemed like there was a clear enough path through the rest of the tunnel.
"Arianna!" The sound of my voice echoed eerily off the walls.
There was no response.
"Ari!" I called again and again as I walked through the tunnel, sliding past debris.
My body would tense and relax every time I saw a body and realized it was not her.
However, doubt began to whisper into my ear and an uncontrollable fear nibbled at my heart.
Then, something bright reflected into my eyes. I grew closer and kneeled to observe it.
The fear gobbled me whole.
Buried on the ground was Arianna's other ring.
Her father's marriage ring glittered on the ground.
Trembling, I lifted the beam of light to illuminate the path before me.
The flashlight fell to the ground, light bounced onto the wall as I collapsed to the ground.
Arianna laid on the ground, a serene expression was painted on her face.
Gathering my senses quickly, I rushed to her.
"Arianna! Arianna wake up!" My hand cupped her face gently. "Arianna-"
Her face felt no different from my hands.
"Arianna. Please- please wake up. You- You promised us!"
My finger's hesitated before pressing down on her neck.
I pulled back, the screeching in my ears becoming louder.
The excited beating of her heart had permanently become silent.
Gritting my teeth, I grabbed her hand and held it to my chest. My breath trembled as I brought my forehead to hers.
My heart felt like it was drowning, wrapped in chains and heavy rocks, sinking deeper and deeper.
Even so, no matter how awful I felt, no tears would form.
I couldn't even cry for her.
She saved me and yet I can't cry.
Why? Why? Why can't I cry? She's worth every despicable tear and yet why can't-
My hands clutched hers fiercely.
I'm not sure how much time passed but I was brought back as water trickled down.
Peeling myself away, I stood up.
With the flashlight in my hand, I realized that a large piece of concrete had crushed half of her body.
It was likely the cause of her death.
In order to get her out it had to be removed.
A part of me knew it was impossible, it was four times my size and heavier than I could manage but- I couldn't leave her there.
So attempt after attempt, I struggled and fought but nothing would budge it.
Not even this cursed element of mine was enough.
Crying out, I punched the rock until blood seeped out of my fist.
My heart had reached the bottom of the ocean. Numbness seeped through me, killing my thoughts and wretched feelings.
Leaving me in darkness.
My eyes landed on an object on the ground.
My mind was quiet as I reached for it and placed it against my head.
My fingers gently wrapped around the trigger.
My eyes closed.
I squeezed.
Click.
A small chuckle escaped my lips evolving into a dark laughter.
The gun was empty.