its location and a mountain lake lies near. The cave has dry wood and a few supplies that are kept there for emergencies. We need to hide for a while and let the winter snows subside before we can travel.”
“How far away is it?”
“A half a day’s walk. Don’t worry, we will go slowly. We have no other options,” Fil replied firmly, leaving no room for discussion.
Jonas looked around at the town sadly and then looked back at Fil. Fil’s eyes were determined and Jonas knew that he was right. They could not stay here. They didn’t even have the time or strength to bury their loved ones. “Okay, Fil. Let me get my things.”
***
The long walk was grueling, probably the hardest thing physically that Jonas had ever done. Not to mention the weight of emotions that he carried as an additional burden. He could not stop thinking about his mother, the only person who ever cared for him. His body felt drained, every step weighed down with sorrow. He had walked with his mother in the woods before, but usually no more than an hour or two, and they generally stuck to the game trails.
The first half of the hike went gradually up hill, but they used the game trails available to them which made it a little easier for Jonas. As they climbed higher into the mountains, parts of the terrain became so steep it was almost impossible for Jonas to use his crutch. His hands and feet bled from several blisters and he began to despair that they wouldn’t make it by nightfall, for the sun was just starting to set.
“How much longer, Fil?” asked Jonas, exhaustion evident in his voice.
“We are almost there, not much longer. You’ve done well, but we need to get there before dark. Can you do it?” asked Fil.
Jonas, knowing the sacrifice Fil was making for him, somehow found the energy to reply, “I can.”
The sun’s comforting light began to recede behind the massive pines as they dropped down towards a beautiful small mountain lake. Fil led the exhausted Jonas to a cave that was nestled on the north side of the lake. The cave was small, about thirty paces deep and fifteen paces wide. In the back corner was a pile of dry wood, some cooking pans, and a tinderbox. Near the entrance was a circle of soot covered stones surrounding several dry pieces of wood lying atop dried moss and small pieces of tinder. The supplies were the same that Fil and his father had left several months ago. Fil’s father always taught him the mountain way of leaving the makings of a fire when you left a home, whether it was a cabin, a simple shelter, or a cave. It could make for a comfortable return on a cold day or save the life of some weary traveler in bitter conditions. Fil was thankful for that lesson now. They were both tired and Fil didn’t think that he would have the energy to hunt the snow-covered forest for dry wood.
Jonas was exhausted, falling to the ground to rest. Fil quickly lit the fire and the welcome flames leaped up, chasing the cold mountain air away. The heat from the fire bathed Jonas and soothed his tired body, and within minutes he was asleep. Fil gathered up Jonas’s wool blanket and covered his body.
“Sleep well, Jonas. You did well today.” Fil was impressed with Jonas’s grim determination and strength during the hard climb.
Jonas’s night was filled with vivid dreams. He dreamt that he was walking along the edges of a frozen lake, the very same lake they were camping by, when he saw a little fawn scrambling on the ice. The ice began to break and crack, causing the deer to struggle more.
Jonas set the crutch down and lay on his belly on the ice. Slowly, he crawled closer and closer to the frightened deer. When he was within five paces of the deer the ice broke and the deer’s hind legs went into the water. Jonas struggled closer, reaching out towards the panicked deer, straining to grab its front legs to pull the scared animal to safety. The ice around him began to crack and weaken. He surged forward with one last try to save the deer.
The ice suddenly gave way and he fell into the freezing water. In a panic, he kicked and struggled with the deer, but his frozen crippled limbs couldn’t support his weight. Slowly he