Wild Winter_K Webster by K Webster

Author:K Webster [Webster, K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: short story
Publisher: K Webster
Published: 2024-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

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I can’t feel my fingers because they’re damn near frozen solid, but that doesn’t stop me from lobbing another snowball, this one at Dakota. His screech makes me and Declan, my little partner in crime who’s riding on my back, crack up laughing.

At some point during Wild’s and my snowball fight, several others joined in on the fun after dinner. The storm is worsening, but my family doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by it. We don’t stop until Dad hollers for everyone to come back inside.

“It’s getting too bad out here,” Dad says, squinting against the icy wind. “Why don’t you grab the other guest cabin, Rowdy. It won’t be safe getting down the mountain with the weather acting like this. It’s stocked with firewood and supplies.”

Normally, I’d be eager to escape and get back to my quiet, lonely cabin, but tonight I don’t have the energy. Plus, I don’t want to do that to Spirit, who’s no doubt inside, getting spoiled with cuddles by Dez.

“Yeah, okay.”

Declan whines when Dad plucks him off my back. As much as I love that little kid, I’m looking forward to my solitude.

“Spirit can sleep with you, Deck,” I assure him with a wave. “Quit your whining.”

I don’t wait around for Wild and head for Ryder’s old cabin. Dad didn’t just stock the place, but he also had the fatherly sense to go ahead and get a fire going. As soon as I open the cabin door, I’m met with delicious warmth.

Since my clothes are mostly wet from the snow, I quickly peel them off and hang them on wall hooks to dry. Once down to my boxers, I snatch a blanket off the couch and toss it on the floor in front of the fireplace to use as a cushion. My toes prickle as warmth attempts to bring them back to life. To help in the effort, I stretch my long legs toward the crackling fire and wriggle my toes toward it.

As I chase away the chill that’s taken hold of my bones, I stare at the flaming oranges, yellows, and reds. My mind drifts back to Destiny. She was so broken. Those horrible people broke my baby sister by kidnapping and raping her. And then, as if life wasn’t cruel enough, it took the baby from her—the one thing that might’ve helped her heal from such torment.

A heavy ache forms in the center of my chest. I absently rub the bare skin between my pectoral muscles as though the action can ease the pain I feel for her.

It can’t.

Like me, Destiny will carry her anguish with her for years to come. Hell, I’m still toting mine around like a backpack filled with rocks, and compared to her trauma, it’s nothing.

She must be so tired of being crushed under the weight of it.

Tonight, though, I saw a spark of the sweet, special girl she once was. Peeking out from beneath those sad blue eyes that can barely see, a flicker of hope shone.

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