15 December 2012
"Shouldn't we be at Kwena by now?" I ask uncertaintly. Snow has started falling again, and it's really slowing us down. Plus, the sun fell behind the mountains hours ago.
"Soon." Tessa answers, never looking at me.
"Shouldn't we set up camp for the night?" I ask.
"Maybe." Tessa answers again. I sigh, confused and worried. What is going on here?
We struggle through the foot of snow for a while more. I can't help but feel sorry for Ellie since she's only half my size. She's fallen about 20 times, and has been crying for the past 10 minutes. I wanted to help, but Keleb told me not to. He said that Ellie needs to build her strength up if she wants to live up here in the Alps.
Ellie lets out a sudden cheer. I whip my head around and stare at her.
"What?" Keleb asks, bending down. "What?"
"Lights!" Ellie yells, then runs ahead of us. "Lights!"
Tessa smiles, then races after her. I'm shocked. I don't see any lights!
"What was that about?" I ask Keleb, who is still standing next to me.
"Aparently Ellie sees some lights," he smiles.
"Duh. I know that. But why are they excited?"
Keleb stares at me like I'm dumb. "We found Kwena!" Then he sprints off after them. I'm so stupid.
I struggle after Ellie, Tessa, and Keleb. I finally catch up to Tessa, who is gasping for air. The air is so thin up here, I don't blame her. She sees me coming and starts running after Keleb and Ellie again. Those two are way ahead of us.
A minute later I see the lights. They are an eerie glow reflecting off of the snow, yet them seem really dull since it's snowing hard. I pick up my spead and the lights grow brighter and brighter. I see Keleb, Ellie, and Tessa now. They are all stopped a few yards ahead of me. Then I see why.
I can see Kwena clearly now. The houses look like giant huts, yet there are modern day lamp posts all around. There are no cars, but there are sleighs and huskies. A humongous hut is in the center of the town, with a big marble statue in front of it. People are gathered around the statue, yelling at one another. I wince- this can't be about something good.
"Tessa?" Ellie pulls on Tessa's artic puffer coat.
"What?" she asks peacefully.
"I think they're talking about us." Ellie whimpers. My head snaps to the villagers. Some are looking at us up on this hill, and I can make out voices.
"It's them..."
"Why would they dare come..."
"It's just rude..."
"Who's the fourth...?"
I look at Keleb, then Ellie, then Tessa. Tessa doesn't seem happy.
"Hide!" she commands to Ellie. "Hide! Now!"
"Why-" Ellie looks around then sighs. "Where?"
"I don't know! Hide!" Ellie starts running to a big rock, but then tripsand falls. She sinks into the snow, and I can't see her. Ellie is wearing a white coat, a white cap, and white snowpants. Her white-blond hair helps, too.
"Stay!" Tessa yells. "Come on," She tells me and Keleb. We walk to Kwena, and the fates that await us.
January, Chapter 2 • Opuss № I