Nicholas pulled his horse to a clearing in the snowy woods. He looked around him at the mountain area he was in. Nick had lived up in the mountains in a log cabin for almost 12 years by himself. Technically he had taken care of himself since the age of 17 but he still lived at home with his mother, step father and older brother. But then the fire happened. Nick was stuck inside when the fire started spreading. The small cottage he lived in with his family burned down around him while he was still inside the heated mess. He managed to escape but not without flaming debris smacking his face and leaving a nasty scar across his left eye. The fire killed his mother and Nicholas's step father. His brother blamed the 17 year old boy, so Nick ran away. Nick hated going to the town below, about a 5 hour horse ride down the mountain. He went at least 6 times a year to get supplies for home and sometimes to sell meat he had hunted up in the mountains. But as it was nearing winter season, Nicholas knew the passage to get to town would be closing off soon. No one would be coming up the mountain or down the mountain for at least 5 months, and Nick loved that time of year.

Nicholas heard some rustling in the bushes ahead of him. He picked up his rifle from his lap and aimed it in front of him just watching the trail. He had been on the path of a massive elk for several hours now and finally had the animal where he wanted it. Nick waited as the elk started to slowly step out onto the trail thinking it was safe. Nick kept his horse still and held the trigger with his index finger, watching intently. "Come on..." He whispered.

Suddenly a high pitch scream tore through the woods and the elk bolted off in distress. "Blast!" Nick dropped his gun in anger. He looked towards where he had heard the screen come from. Who would be up here at the start of winter? Did they know the passage was closing?