# Frost Bite

Author: Rtlstien
Tags: Fire, First Person, Human, Short, Short Story, Winter, WintertimeContest2012, Wolf

#1 of Frost Bite

Being alone in the cold of winter can be a dangerous thing... especially when the danger comes from something you cannot see...

The cold winter breeze courses through my fur as I slowly tread through the snow.&nbsp; Winter is the most dangerous time of year in the forest, not only for its inhabitants... but for strangers as well.

&nbsp;

I look ahead and spot a strange creature that walks on two legs. It's treading through the snow with obvious difficulty.&nbsp; This is not the first time I've seen one of them... they always end up being an easy claim for me.

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The creature has no idea that I'm following it.&nbsp; My steps are light; they leave no print in the snow. My movement is subtle like a gentle breeze.&nbsp; I wait patiently for the right moment to strike...

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The creature obviously has no idea where it is going; it must have lost its way like all the others before it.&nbsp; It's easy to lose yourself if you're not familiar with this forest.&nbsp; I know where it's heading though; the river.

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The forest started to thin out as we got closer to the river.&nbsp; The creature stops.&nbsp; I can tell it is getting exhausted; the frigid air reveals its rapid breathing.&nbsp; The creature sits down and huddles itself.&nbsp; I sit down as well, waiting for the creature to make its next move.

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The creature's breathing begins to slow down to what I assume is normal for it.&nbsp; I watch as it stands and starts glancing all around.&nbsp; To my surprise I can sense it felt relief as it stares at something in the distance.&nbsp; I look over in the same direction and lower my ears.&nbsp; On the horizon is smoke.&nbsp; Where there is smoke there is that accursed fire.&nbsp;

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I look back at the creature.&nbsp; With renewed spirit it starts to walk in the direction of the smoke.&nbsp; I can't give up now... I keep following it.&nbsp;

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The creature is livelier now... it must be excited about getting warmer; a concept I can't understand.&nbsp; I narrow the distance between us as I follow the creature along the river.

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The smell of smoke becomes more prominent as we approach.&nbsp; I react with disgust at the foul odor, but the creature uses it as sign of proximity.&nbsp; The creature must think that the worst is behind it.&nbsp; I can't help but smile at the thought of what lies ahead. &nbsp;&nbsp;The creature stops dead in its tracks.&nbsp; Remember the river?&nbsp; Well, creature, to get to your precious flame you are going to have to cross it.&nbsp; I once again close the gap between us, sensing it won't be long before I get my opportunity.&nbsp;

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To cross the river would be akin to climbing one of the trees that surrounded the area.&nbsp; The river's flow is calm during the winter, almost still.&nbsp; That must seem enticing to the creature since it carefully places one of its legs into the water.&nbsp; I immediately see it shiver as its foot sinks deeper and deeper into the freezing water.

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The creature sinks its other foot into the water, this time quickly.&nbsp; Its entire body starts to shiver as it slowly starts to wade across the river.&nbsp; As it makes its way to the center of the river its body begins to sink deeper and deeper into the water.&nbsp; At the river's deepest point the water is up to the creature's waist.&nbsp; I wonder if the creature is feeling regretful for wanting to cross this river.&nbsp;

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I just sit and watch with amusement as the creature makes its way to the other side of the river.&nbsp; I feel a powerful gust of wind blow through my fur, causing me to sigh happily.&nbsp; The wind blows its way towards the creature.&nbsp; It starts to shiver violently as the wind impacts its drenched legs.&nbsp; I make my way to the river.

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I watch as the creature on the other side starts moving itself towards the smoke again.&nbsp; It's stubborn, I'll give it that.&nbsp; I glance down at the water briefly before placing my front paw on the surface.&nbsp; The water under my paw turns to ice. &nbsp;Each step I take freezes the water beneath me, allowing me to walk across the river with ease. &nbsp;I hop off the surface of the water and quickly close the gap between myself and the creature.

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I am only a few feet behind the creature now.&nbsp; It is moving slower than before.&nbsp; The harshness of winter is finally getting to it.&nbsp; Now is time to make my move...

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I slowly approach the creature.&nbsp; As I walk right behind it I can see a chill run down its spine, but it doesn't look behind.&nbsp; The inhabitants of the forest know what's coming when a chill runs down their spine, but this creature is a stranger....&nbsp; I bare my teeth and quickly nip at its right leg.&nbsp; I step back, sit down, and watch to see what happens.

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It takes a moment for the creature to realize what has happened, but when it does it is too late. &nbsp;The creature collapses to the ground, groaning in pain.&nbsp; It grabs onto the leg I had just bitten.&nbsp; It isn't bleeding, and there are no cuts, but the creature can feel pain coming from it.

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It's over for the creature; it can no longer move on its own.&nbsp; But just to make sure...&nbsp; I nip the creature's other leg.&nbsp; After another small delay it lets out a scream of pain.

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I sit in front of the creature, watching, almost face to face.&nbsp; This is always my least favorite part; I never do enjoy it when my claim screams out in pain.

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I sigh... inadvertently sending a chilled breeze at the creature.&nbsp; It looks up, but can't see me.&nbsp; What would it do if it could see me?&nbsp; What would any creature do if it could see me?

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I slowly exhale, sending another cool blast of wind at the creature.&nbsp; No matter how painful its legs are right now, it can't deny how calming the cool breeze is.&nbsp; Over and over again I slowly exhale on the creature.

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Don't be afraid... let winter claim your soul and become one with the wind.&nbsp; I watch as the creature's eyes slowly start to close.&nbsp; Sleep... I let out another exhale.&nbsp; Just close your eyes... you are my claim now...

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My ears perked up; I can sense someone getting closer.&nbsp; I look around.&nbsp; My ears twitch when I hear voices in the distance.&nbsp; They were getting louder.

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My claim obviously can hear the voices as well; its eyes fly open and it starts to let out loud noises.&nbsp; I can't believe this is happening...

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I sigh heavily, creating a rather powerful burst of wind that shakes some snow off the trees above.&nbsp; I slowly retreat into the tree line and watch with annoyance.

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Two more creatures similar to my claim are rapidly approaching.&nbsp; When they find my claim they pick it up and carry it off.&nbsp; How could this have happened?&nbsp; I marked that creature, twice!&nbsp; It should be one with the wind right now.&nbsp; How dare those two deny my claim that opportunity... I decide to follow them.

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I follow them to their dwelling.&nbsp; It is obviously a temporary one since these creatures aren't adapted for the cold.&nbsp; They place a bunch of heavy-looking cloths over my claim... lying next to the fire.

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Fire... I growl at the sight.

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The other two creatures cover themselves up before falling asleep next to the fire as well.&nbsp; I slowly approach...

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The closer I get to the fire the more unbearable it becomes.&nbsp; I hate heat so much...

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I look over my claim.&nbsp; It is asleep now, but with this heat I'm not able to fully claim it...

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"Don't even think about it."&nbsp; My ears twitch.&nbsp; I was wondering when he would come out.&nbsp; I turn towards the flames and scowl.&nbsp; "It's great to see you too, Frost..."

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Blaze... my greatest headache.&nbsp; He is the only one who can cause me so much frustration in the winter.&nbsp; He's supposed to be despised by all living creatures... but these unusual creatures can't survive without him.

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"You know it feels great to be appreciated once in a while."&nbsp; Blaze smirks as he looks over the creatures.&nbsp; "These things give me life all day long."&nbsp; He exhales over my claim.&nbsp; "And all they ask for in return is my warmth."&nbsp; He chuckles.

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I am surprised that he doesn't try to mark these creatures for himself.

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"Oh I've tried..."&nbsp; He stretches, trying to reach part of the cloth that covered my claim.

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I slowly exhale, blowing the cloth away from his reach.&nbsp; Blaze growls at me.&nbsp; "You know it's not polite to deny someone his claim."&nbsp; 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.

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When I claim someone their soul is set free into the wind.&nbsp; When Blaze claims someone, their soul becomes bound to the earth; becoming the grass and trees.&nbsp; We're both needed, but we're both very territorial.

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"Whatever..." Blaze huffs.&nbsp; "My time will come in the summer, and you won't be around to stop me." he says with a smirk.&nbsp; I let out a quick exhale at him, causing the flames to wither before growing slightly larger.&nbsp; "Blow at me all you want; I'll just come back stronger."

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I blow at him with more force.&nbsp; He starts to panic as his flames grow smaller and smaller.&nbsp; "Stop it you cold-hearted bastard!"&nbsp; I smirk as his flames were nearly snuffed.&nbsp; I relent, however, and let him come back to life.&nbsp; "Surprising... you could have had claim to all three of them if I was gone..."

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I shake my head.&nbsp; It is clearly not this creature's time to go.&nbsp; I will not force anyone to join the wind.&nbsp; I start to walk away.

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"Spring is coming soon..." Blaze says.&nbsp; "Your time is running out."&nbsp; I can practically feel his grin piercing through me.

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Winter may be coming to an end, but the wind blows all year long.&nbsp; I will have my fun with him in the summer.&nbsp; I smirk as I feel the cold wind blow through my fur.&nbsp; Winter is calling for me.&nbsp; My body slowly turns into snow and drifts away with the wind.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/GnDAOWK1