{"sf1_id":303070,"sf2_id":"GnDAOWK1","title":"Frost Bite","author":"Rtlstien","words":1756,"posted_at":"2011-11-06T03:22:00.000Z","tags":["Fire","First Person","Human","Short","Short Story","Winter","WintertimeContest2012","Wolf"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/303070-frost-bite","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/GnDAOWK1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/fe/53/fe5375c8-b145-45ba-b902-b6608541572b","description":"#1 of Frost Bite\n\nBeing alone in the cold of winter can be a dangerous thing... especially when the danger comes from something you cannot see...","content":"The cold winter breeze courses through my fur as I slowly tread through the snow.\u0026nbsp; Winter is the most dangerous time of year in the forest, not only for its inhabitants... but for strangers as well.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI look ahead and spot a strange creature that walks on two legs. It's treading through the snow with obvious difficulty.\u0026nbsp; This is not the first time I've seen one of them... they always end up being an easy claim for me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe creature has no idea that I'm following it.\u0026nbsp; My steps are light; they leave no print in the snow. My movement is subtle like a gentle breeze.\u0026nbsp; I wait patiently for the right moment to strike...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe creature obviously has no idea where it is going; it must have lost its way like all the others before it.\u0026nbsp; It's easy to lose yourself if you're not familiar with this forest.\u0026nbsp; I know where it's heading though; the river.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe forest started to thin out as we got closer to the river.\u0026nbsp; The creature stops.\u0026nbsp; I can tell it is getting exhausted; the frigid air reveals its rapid breathing.\u0026nbsp; The creature sits down and huddles itself.\u0026nbsp; I sit down as well, waiting for the creature to make its next move.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe creature's breathing begins to slow down to what I assume is normal for it.\u0026nbsp; I watch as it stands and starts glancing all around.\u0026nbsp; To my surprise I can sense it felt relief as it stares at something in the distance.\u0026nbsp; I look over in the same direction and lower my ears.\u0026nbsp; On the horizon is smoke.\u0026nbsp; Where there is smoke there is that accursed fire.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI look back at the creature.\u0026nbsp; With renewed spirit it starts to walk in the direction of the smoke.\u0026nbsp; I can't give up now... I keep following it.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe creature is livelier now... it must be excited about getting warmer; a concept I can't understand.\u0026nbsp; I narrow the distance between us as I follow the creature along the river.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe smell of smoke becomes more prominent as we approach.\u0026nbsp; I react with disgust at the foul odor, but the creature uses it as sign of proximity.\u0026nbsp; The creature must think that the worst is behind it.\u0026nbsp; I can't help but smile at the thought of what lies ahead. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The creature stops dead in its tracks.\u0026nbsp; Remember the river?\u0026nbsp; Well, creature, to get to your precious flame you are going to have to cross it.\u0026nbsp; I once again close the gap between us, sensing it won't be long before I get my opportunity.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nTo cross the river would be akin to climbing one of the trees that surrounded the area.\u0026nbsp; The river's flow is calm during the winter, almost still.\u0026nbsp; That must seem enticing to the creature since it carefully places one of its legs into the water.\u0026nbsp; I immediately see it shiver as its foot sinks deeper and deeper into the freezing water.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe creature sinks its other foot into the water, this time quickly.\u0026nbsp; Its entire body starts to shiver as it slowly starts to wade across the river.\u0026nbsp; As it makes its way to the center of the river its body begins to sink deeper and deeper into the water.\u0026nbsp; At the river's deepest point the water is up to the creature's waist.\u0026nbsp; I wonder if the creature is feeling regretful for wanting to cross this river.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI just sit and watch with amusement as the creature makes its way to the other side of the river.\u0026nbsp; I feel a powerful gust of wind blow through my fur, causing me to sigh happily.\u0026nbsp; The wind blows its way towards the creature.\u0026nbsp; It starts to shiver violently as the wind impacts its drenched legs.\u0026nbsp; I make my way to the river.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI watch as the creature on the other side starts moving itself towards the smoke again.\u0026nbsp; It's stubborn, I'll give it that.\u0026nbsp; I glance down at the water briefly before placing my front paw on the surface.\u0026nbsp; The water under my paw turns to ice. \u0026nbsp;Each step I take freezes the water beneath me, allowing me to walk across the river with ease. \u0026nbsp;I hop off the surface of the water and quickly close the gap between myself and the creature.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI am only a few feet behind the creature now.\u0026nbsp; It is moving slower than before.\u0026nbsp; The harshness of winter is finally getting to it.\u0026nbsp; Now is time to make my move...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI slowly approach the creature.\u0026nbsp; As I walk right behind it I can see a chill run down its spine, but it doesn't look behind.\u0026nbsp; The inhabitants of the forest know what's coming when a chill runs down their spine, but this creature is a stranger....\u0026nbsp; I bare my teeth and quickly nip at its right leg.\u0026nbsp; I step back, sit down, and watch to see what happens.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nIt takes a moment for the creature to realize what has happened, but when it does it is too late. \u0026nbsp;The creature collapses to the ground, groaning in pain.\u0026nbsp; It grabs onto the leg I had just bitten.\u0026nbsp; It isn't bleeding, and there are no cuts, but the creature can feel pain coming from it.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nIt's over for the creature; it can no longer move on its own.\u0026nbsp; But just to make sure...\u0026nbsp; I nip the creature's other leg.\u0026nbsp; After another small delay it lets out a scream of pain.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI sit in front of the creature, watching, almost face to face.\u0026nbsp; This is always my least favorite part; I never do enjoy it when my claim screams out in pain.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI sigh... inadvertently sending a chilled breeze at the creature.\u0026nbsp; It looks up, but can't see me.\u0026nbsp; What would it do if it could see me?\u0026nbsp; What would any creature do if it could see me?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI slowly exhale, sending another cool blast of wind at the creature.\u0026nbsp; No matter how painful its legs are right now, it can't deny how calming the cool breeze is.\u0026nbsp; Over and over again I slowly exhale on the creature.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nDon't be afraid... let winter claim your soul and become one with the wind.\u0026nbsp; I watch as the creature's eyes slowly start to close.\u0026nbsp; Sleep... I let out another exhale.\u0026nbsp; Just close your eyes... you are my claim now...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nMy ears perked up; I can sense someone getting closer.\u0026nbsp; I look around.\u0026nbsp; My ears twitch when I hear voices in the distance.\u0026nbsp; They were getting louder.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nMy claim obviously can hear the voices as well; its eyes fly open and it starts to let out loud noises.\u0026nbsp; I can't believe this is happening...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI sigh heavily, creating a rather powerful burst of wind that shakes some snow off the trees above.\u0026nbsp; I slowly retreat into the tree line and watch with annoyance.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nTwo more creatures similar to my claim are rapidly approaching.\u0026nbsp; When they find my claim they pick it up and carry it off.\u0026nbsp; How could this have happened?\u0026nbsp; I marked that creature, twice!\u0026nbsp; It should be one with the wind right now.\u0026nbsp; How dare those two deny my claim that opportunity... I decide to follow them.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI follow them to their dwelling.\u0026nbsp; It is obviously a temporary one since these creatures aren't adapted for the cold.\u0026nbsp; They place a bunch of heavy-looking cloths over my claim... lying next to the fire.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nFire... I growl at the sight.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe other two creatures cover themselves up before falling asleep next to the fire as well.\u0026nbsp; I slowly approach...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe closer I get to the fire the more unbearable it becomes.\u0026nbsp; I hate heat so much...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI look over my claim.\u0026nbsp; It is asleep now, but with this heat I'm not able to fully claim it...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Don't even think about it.\"\u0026nbsp; My ears twitch.\u0026nbsp; I was wondering when he would come out.\u0026nbsp; I turn towards the flames and scowl.\u0026nbsp; \"It's great to see you too, Frost...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nBlaze... my greatest headache.\u0026nbsp; He is the only one who can cause me so much frustration in the winter.\u0026nbsp; He's supposed to be despised by all living creatures... but these unusual creatures can't survive without him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You know it feels great to be appreciated once in a while.\"\u0026nbsp; Blaze smirks as he looks over the creatures.\u0026nbsp; \"These things give me life all day long.\"\u0026nbsp; He exhales over my claim.\u0026nbsp; \"And all they ask for in return is my warmth.\"\u0026nbsp; He chuckles.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI am surprised that he doesn't try to mark these creatures for himself.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh I've tried...\"\u0026nbsp; He stretches, trying to reach part of the cloth that covered my claim.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI slowly exhale, blowing the cloth away from his reach.\u0026nbsp; Blaze growls at me.\u0026nbsp; \"You know it's not polite to deny someone his claim.\"\u0026nbsp; Even if I've lost the opportunity to claim this creature I will not let Blaze claim it, the others, or any other living creature while it is winter.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWhen I claim someone their soul is set free into the wind.\u0026nbsp; When Blaze claims someone, their soul becomes bound to the earth; becoming the grass and trees.\u0026nbsp; We're both needed, but we're both very territorial.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Whatever...\" Blaze huffs.\u0026nbsp; \"My time will come in the summer, and you won't be around to stop me.\" he says with a smirk.\u0026nbsp; I let out a quick exhale at him, causing the flames to wither before growing slightly larger.\u0026nbsp; \"Blow at me all you want; I'll just come back stronger.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI blow at him with more force.\u0026nbsp; He starts to panic as his flames grow smaller and smaller.\u0026nbsp; \"Stop it you cold-hearted bastard!\"\u0026nbsp; I smirk as his flames were nearly snuffed.\u0026nbsp; I relent, however, and let him come back to life.\u0026nbsp; \"Surprising... you could have had claim to all three of them if I was gone...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI shake my head.\u0026nbsp; It is clearly not this creature's time to go.\u0026nbsp; I will not force anyone to join the wind.\u0026nbsp; I start to walk away.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Spring is coming soon...\" Blaze says.\u0026nbsp; \"Your time is running out.\"\u0026nbsp; I can practically feel his grin piercing through me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWinter may be coming to an end, but the wind blows all year long.\u0026nbsp; I will have my fun with him in the summer.\u0026nbsp; I smirk as I feel the cold wind blow through my fur.\u0026nbsp; Winter is calling for me.\u0026nbsp; My body slowly turns into snow and drifts away with the wind.\n\n  \n  \n\n"}