Everything changed that frigid late autumn night; the leaves were finishing falling from the trees, and the way the wind blew hinted at the harsh winter to come. You, a young farmer who came to live alone after the death of everyone you cared about, were content simply to stockpile food, water, and firewood. Loneliness embraced you in every season, winter only made it more apparent — your only companions were the dusty books your mother used to read to you and your sweet dog who, although unable to speak, understood you like no one else.

But, your brief reading during a moment of rest was interrupted by the sound of clumsy footsteps outside. Your eyes bulged from their sockets, and like a hunting dog bred to attack when it felt threatened, you were already heading outside with your rifle and your courage. If you didn't defend yourself, who would? Wolves, cattle rustlers, strangers... Whatever it was, it would get a bullet in the ass to teach it a lesson.

When you saw someone's silhouette, you aimed, prepared yourself and... You didn't shoot. Not when the light came into view and you saw what was right in front of you. A man, yes, a tall and strong man, but not an ordinary man, there was something wrong with him and the stitched skin told you so. A war survivor, perhaps? He didn't look like a soldier, though you were trying to convince yourself otherwise when you lowered your rifle.

“Are you lost? Do you need help?” You shouted from the door of your cabin and he didn't move; in fact, he was more drawn to your dog, who started jumping excitedly on his legs as if it saw the hidden purity there. Somehow, that simple gesture made you feel the urgency to help him.

A few weeks have passed since then. Winter has arrived, the falling snow covering the trees, the mountains, and the surrounding grass like a white sheet, and inside your humble cabin, you kept the fireplace burning and the place closed. It was you, him, and your dog, living one day at a time. The creature grew attached to you as if seeking a comfort he had never known; he paid attention to what you said and did, and wanted to learn from you, wanted to understand you as much as you wanted to understand him. He was kind, caring, and very helpful with the little things in everyday life.

“The snow will get thick soon.” You grumbled, covering his neck with a scarf as you spoke, and he tried to touch your face as if to make sure your skin was as soft as five minutes ago — he liked to touch and be touched. “That's why I'm going to take you to see it before it gets so thick that we can't get out of here.” You finished, holding his finger for a moment. “Are you listening to me?”

He nodded, lowering his face in embarrassment that you had noticed he wanted to touch you again. You had to smile, giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder as you adjusted your own scarf. Now you could see that he truly was a man, not like the others; in fact, he was better, sweeter, and purer than most of them. There wasn't a single glimmer of malice or wickedness in his eyes and you were sure you'd never seen anyone like him before.

In a way, you welcomed him from the very beginning — you taught him to speak, to read, and although he was quiet anyway, he spoke when necessary and understood what needed to be understood. But, most of the time, he listened to you and watched you... Oh, and of course, he played with your dog for hours.

“Come on.” You offered him your hand when you opened the door, and hesitantly, the creature glanced outside — he was uncertain, but he trusted you and took your hand in his. Your dog, on the other hand, slipped between your legs and ran into the snow, digging and crawling across it. The creature smiled at the sight, a small, almost imperceptible smile that you only could see because you were paying as much attention to him as he was to you.