Week 420 – As soon as she sees the cabin she passes out

One foot in front of the other.

One foot in front of the other.

One foot in front of the other.

It was the mantra Cara kept repeating as she and Liam trudged their way through the forest.

The rain had progressed to sleet, and there was now a heavy amount of snow mixed in with it. Each step along the muddy ground felt harder and harder, but there was one thing she was positive of.

Giving up was not an option.

Giving up meant death.

Not just to her, but to Liam as well, because from the way he had remained glued to her side, his arm around her, carrying more of her weight than she was, she doubted he would leave her behind.

Which meant he’d actually shown her more care and consideration than her own family.

So she couldn’t die. Wouldn’t doom a good, honourable man like Liam to death out here in the snow.

Although she had no idea where they were going, he seemed to. He walked towards his cabin with a confidence she could only wish for. Each step was sure, he chose them a path with careful consideration, and seemed to know how to get past every obstacle that came their way.

“Not much further,” his voice spoke, his breath warm against her ear as he leaned in close so his words wouldn’t be stolen by the wind.

That wasn’t the first time he’d said that so Cara didn’t allow herself to get her hopes up too high. Not wanting to waste energy answering aloud, she merely nodded and kept moving forward, hating how much she had to lean on Liam.

Time had no meaning out here, but what she would guess was fifteen minutes later they stopped. As badly as she wanted to sit, not even caring the ground was muddy, wet, and ice cold, she locked her knees to remain upright. If she sat she wouldn’t be getting back up any time soon. She was teetering on the edge of exhaustion.

“Just across the river,” Liam told her. “See there’s an old bridge here, when we’re halfway across you’ll be able to see the cabin.”

Close.

So close.

Yet so far away.

The world began to dance about in front of her, and no amount of pretending it was the blowing wind would change that. Black dots filled her vision but she kept going.

One foot in front of the other.

The world around her began to recede a little.

“There it is.”

At Liam’s excited voice, she looked up but unfortunately as soon as she sees the cabin she passes out.