A Winter Day

Tornadoes of windswept snow spun off the frostbitten ground, stinging my golden eyes. Each time my tender, numbing paws touched the rough ice, a shock rattled up my body, so cold it made me whimper. I could still see the stars, cold and faraway. I imagined my kits, warm in their den. I took another step and winced. It felt colder than ever. I looked up and saw the dark, looming clouds zip up the glittering sky like a jacket. A storm was coming. I forced myself to walk faster. I needed to get to the other side. To the food. I pushed myself on, knowing that each step I took was for my family, for my family, for my family. . . .

I heard a crack. My heart skipped a beat as I felt frigid water seeping into my scarlet tail. I hardly had time to bark before I was plunged into the murky waters of the pond.

Panic sizzled in my chest as I frantically paddled upward to the only light under the pond, and the only way out. Bubbles escaped from my mouth My chest was burning, burning for the air that was just out of reach. My paws stopped paddling. Everything grew still. It was impossible, I was sure. I watched the spot of golden light slowly sink away.

No.

I was the male fox. I was supposed to be the strongest one, the bravest one, the best one. I would not leave my kits behind. I would be the strongest, the bravest, and the best. I would survive. My paws started slashing at the water. Sharp teeth clenched, I used every bit of my strength to push up, up, up. My lungs were hungry for air, my eyes narrowed into slits of golden rock.

My head burst out of the water, causing droplets to shower over the ice. I clung to the crumbling glacier and pulled my body fully out of the water. I felt bitterly cold, but warm with dignity.