Summoning the last reserves of her strength, Hua Jing trudged toward it.
The snow crunched loudly beneath her boots, the sound the only thing breaking the oppressive silence of the wilderness.
When she finally reached the entrance, she let out a relieved sigh.
The cave was small but deep enough to shield them from the wind and snow.
It was far from ideal, but it would have to do.
---
Carefully, Hua Jing knelt and lowered Zhao Yan onto a flat patch of ground inside the cave.
She arranged a few stones in a rough circle, creating a makeshift barrier to keep him off the icy floor.
His weight off her shoulders, she finally allowed herself a moment to breathe.
Her muscles screamed in protest, and her arms felt like jelly.
She rubbed them briskly, trying to bring warmth back to her numb fingers.
---
The cave was pitch dark, and Hua Jing's unease grew.
