93: A shelter!
**Aife pov**
It was getting really cold - my feet were freezing, my breaths could be seen against the cold air and I couldn’t feel my fingers, but I still kept running.
From the back of my head, I could hear Clove whimpering and encouraging me to run faster every time I slowed down even just a little.
I really hated that I left the cabin only in what I was wearing, without the boots and a jacket, but there was no way I would turn back now. Too dangerous.
“We need to find somewhere to hide,” Clove encouraged me.
“I know,” I quickly replied and looked around. “I’m freezing, this can’t be good for the baby,” I added, desperately seeking anything that could work as a shelter until we could keep running.
I had no idea how to start a fire, so I was already freaking out a little. Maybe if there was a cave somewhere near that I could hide in and if I found some old branches inside, it could help. But then again, there was another issue - any fire might lure in someone we were trying to avoid now.
“Aife, what if-” Clove tried to suggest something, but I already knew what she was thinking, so I quickly cut her off.
“No, it’s too dangerous. A shift could harm the baby or possibly make us miscarry. I won’t risk losing the life we’re carrying just to stay warm. Just give me a bit, I’ll figure something out.” I insisted and pushed myself to run a little faster.
“I was just-” Clove whispered and I cut her off again.
“Yes, I get it, you were just trying to help, but trust me - right now, our main priority is the baby, not ourselves. Oh, wait,” I gasped and stopped in my tracks.
My eyes focused on what looked like an entrance to a small cave.
Glancing back, I realized the wind was getting rid of my footprints, filling them with snow, making it seem like no one had been coming this way.
“Perfect,” I grumbled and turned towards the cave, then took off.
“A shelter!” Clove gasped out in joy, now sounding way better than mere minutes ago.
My grin spread from ear to ear as I approached the cave and finally, bent down to get inside.
It wasn’t the most comfortable place, sure, but it was better than running in the snow alone.
Getting deeper inside it, I realized that there was a small turn that led to the deeper end of the cave and for once, luck seemed to be on my side.
The place didn’t look like it was used by someone very often, but it was clear that a long time ago, someone had used this cave as a shelter too.
There was a small nest-like bed area made out of branches and what looked like an old blanket. Even better - it was made on top of a rock, so the water that had been gathering up on the cave floor hadn’t ruined it.
As I started rustling around, shaking like a leaf, I found more stuff. There was a pack of a few matches dropped next to a small pile of dry branches and grass.
“Whoever stayed here, they made sure the next person who needs a shelter would have an advantage,” I muttered to Clove. “It just sucks that we don’t have anything to leave behind the same way. Maybe we shouldn’t use these things?”
“Nonsense,” she called out, I could even feel her shake her head. “It was left for someone in dire need of warmth and shelter and if we’re not that someone, I don’t know who we are,” she insisted.
Clove was right. We needed this more than I wanted to admit.
First, I set up the fire closer to the sleeping area. It was close enough to keep me warm but far enough to ensure the nest thing didn’t catch fire.
Then, I walked closer to the entrance of the cave and peeked out. There wasn’t anyone around, thankfully, my footprints were fully hidden by nature and when I glanced over my shoulder, I realized that the fire inside couldn’t be seen from outside.
“This is the perfect hiding place, Aife,” Clove cheered. “And I think we’re far enough to be out of the monster’s reach too. I don’t hear him in my head anymore. Doesn’t mean we’re surely out of danger, of course, but it’s better than hearing him growl and snap at me. That thing is scary, I hope we never run into him ever again.”
“Yeah,” I agreed and started backing deeper into the cave, eyes still scanning the surroundings just in case. “Running into that thing once was more than enough and if we ever meet again, who knows, we might not be as lucky as we were the last time.”
Clove hummed in agreement and didn’t offer more of her thoughts, so I focused on the important things. I checked every bit of the cave until I found a can of food in a far corner, hidden away so that only someone really desperate could find it.
It wasn’t much, some pre-made pasta and meat dish, but it felt like more than plenty in our situation. When I fled the cabin, I didn’t even think about getting dressed, let alone remember that I’d need to eat at one point.
Next to the can, I found a fork and a note with messily scribbled, “For the one in need,” on it.
Slowly, I returned to the area with the makeshift nest, opened the can and placed it near the fire before I tossed some more wood in and sat down, positioning my feet closer to the flame.
When the contents of the can were warmer, I ate half, closed the can and tucked it aside as the next meal I could have before I had to leave the cave the next day.
“What are we going to do?” Clove whispered the question as if she didn’t want to hear an answer just as I started getting comfortable in the nest and pulled the old, heavy blanket over me.
I yawned, closed my eyes and whispered, “we’ll decide tomorrow. First, we need to rest, but I think we could try to return to the cabin. I doubt he’ll wait for us there and if nothing else, it would be better if we could get some clothes and food - just in case we need to run again.”
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