Broken Orbit | ONC

   I had miscalculated the distance to the next town. The sun was beginning to find the horizon and I was still unable to see any signs of a civilization. The temperature dipped lower and lower. I finally found a sign along the road, the bottom of the metal plate touching the top of the snow. I cleared it off the best I could and saw that I was still fifteen miles from the nearest town. I'd made a mistake, somewhere along the line.

    Chance was getting restless with being wrapped up all day. I also needed to rest. My legs were burning with exhaustion. I exhaled, irritated at myself for the miscalculation, and headed for the trees along the side of the road. After a while of trudging through the thick trunks, I was far enough away that I felt safe enough. I broke off an icicle from a tree and stabbed it into the frozen bark of a tree, pointing in the direction I'd come. The trees were thick enough that snow wasn't constantly pelting my face, acting as a mild shelter.

   It was going to be a rough night. I dug through my bag and located the piece of tin roof that I had somehow folded and kept. It took some work with my frozen hands to unbend it in the form of a tent. I set it up and pushed it into the snow for stability. Chance watched my every move as I pulled out a tarp and laid it under the tin roof. It was too cold and windy for a fire. Chance and I would be eating cold beef jerky.

   I carefully unzipped Chance from my coat. Hopefully he would be smart enough to stay under the tin and at my side. He shoved off of my chest and face-planted into the snow. With a snort, he shook out his thin fur and promptly wriggled his way out of the tin to relieve himself. I waited to see if he would come back. Sure enough, he ran back inside and bounced into my lap, shivering. I put him back into my coat and he didn't seem to mind.

   After we ate our share, the sun had set. The temperature was falling dangerously. I was beginning to have trouble feeling my hands and watch. Knowing that it might be our only option, I unrolled the water-resistant-heat-retainer sleeping bag from the top of my backpack. It was the highest grade possible. I'd bought it when I went hiking a few years ago. I was reluctant to use it because it meant I was trapped with limited mobility and sight. Nonetheless, I opened it up and wriggled inside. Once it was zipped, Chance pulled himself from my coat and explored the bag towards my feet. After some time, it began to get warm enough to be tolerable inside, though it was far from pleasant.

   I hardly slept that night. My ears were listening for any signs of life nearby. The tin offered no protection from onlookers. The end of my sleeping bag was visible from the outside. It would be obvious to any observers that I was well-stocked. I knew I was lucky at how much stuff I had. People had killed for less than my supplies.

   The tin rattled in the howling winds. Frozen trees cracked and fell apart during the night. One hit the top of the tin and made me jerk awake like I'd been shot. But that was a good reason that I'd put up the tin. Snow swirled through the minimal shelter. I kept myself wrapped up tightly. Chance had taken to the very end of the sleeping bag, wedged between my feet. I had to admit, he was helping keep them warm.

   It was a long night. The first signs of light finally peered through the tin. I had to unclench my muscles from the tense position I'd held all night. I forced my eyes open. Faint light trickled through the cover. It was getting darker and darker these days. My bones cracked and popped as I stretched out my limbs, forcing blood into them. Chance awoke and I felt him come for the top of the sleeping bag. His blue eyes peered through at the snow. With a mighty yawn, he stretched out and bounced outside for a break.

   He returned as I pulled a can of beans out. After eating, I bundled back up, wrapped up the sleeping bag, folded the tarp, and attempted to compress the tin. It was frozen solid and resisting my attempts. Grunting with effort, I managed to squish it further, but it would take up more room in my bag than before.