The words cut through Eli like a blade of ice, sharper than the relentless cold biting through his layers of clothing. He held the girl to his chest, trying to share his warmth, his heart pounding with urgency. Max, his loyal K9 companion, circled them, breath visible in the frigid air, barking sharply as if urging Eli to move faster.
Eli sprinted back to the cabin, his mind racing alongside his feet. How had she ended up here, alone and exposed to the elements? The storm pressed in from all directions, threatening to snuff out their tiny flame of hope. But Eli had faced storms before—sandstorms, battles, chaos. This was no different.
Once inside, he laid the girl on a pile of blankets near the fire, her small body alarmingly light in his arms. Max nestled next to her, his warm flank providing comfort. Eli wrapped her in blankets, rubbing her hands briskly, willing life back into them.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Eli murmured, his voice barely audible over the storm’s roar outside. “Stay with us. You’re safe now.”
The girl shivered violently, her fragile body teetering on the edge of awareness. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, revealing a flicker of recognition and fear.
“Max, stay close,” Eli instructed, throwing more logs onto the fire. He needed to get her warm and stable—but beyond that, he needed answers. Where had she come from? Who was she apologizing to?
Minutes passed, and slowly, the blue tinge receding from her lips gave way to returning color. Eli prepared some hot broth, coaxing her to sip it as he cradled her head gently. Each swallow seemed monumental, yet with every sip, she grew stronger, more present.
Warmth began to fill the cabin—not just from the fire, but from the life returning to the little girl. She blinked at Eli, eyes now clearer, filled with a mix of confusion and gratitude.
“Who are you, honey?” Eli asked softly, brushing the hair from her forehead. “What’s your name?”
“Lila,” she whispered, voice hoarse and fragile. “I was… I was hiding.”
“Hiding? From what?” Eli pressed, concern etching his brow.
Tears welled in her eyes, spilling silently as she shook her head. The memories were too fresh, too painful to articulate. Max nudged her hand gently, offering comfort in his own intuitive way.
Eli nodded, understanding the invisible scars trauma leaves behind. He had his own collection of them, after all. “It’s okay, Lila. You don’t have to talk about it now. But you’re safe here. Max and I will protect you. I promise.”
She nodded, reassured by the certainty in his voice. Outside, the storm raged on, but inside the cabin, a fragile peace began to settle. Eli watched as Lila’s eyes grew heavy, lulled by warmth and safety she hadn’t known in far too long.
As she drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep, Eli felt a fierce protectiveness swell within him. He didn’t know what horrors Lila had faced, but he vowed she would never have to face them alone again.