She checked her heart. "Still beating." she confirmed. She went into the cave and started a fire.

shad sat there in silence as the fire burned away slowly. not much heat was coming from it since night had fallen and the winds blew cold whistling at the cave entrance. "Come here" He wrapped the tarp around them and held her close for warmth.

it was small comfort, but it still felt nice. she was starting to get sleepy, she fell asleep in his arms.

Shad used there bags to shelter the lady then lay back against them holding Bluebell as close as he could against his chest. She felt good there, he fell asleep.

Morning came and he awoke laying on top of bluebell almost crushing her he smiled opps... must have rolled over. He got up and checked the ladies pulse. It was gone. "Bluebell! Wake up! Theres no pulse..." He shook the lady. But nothing.

Bluebell sat up, startled. "What?" she saw him shaking the woman. "Is she..." she couldn't say it.

"Yes. She is gone." Shad had packed a spade just un case this would happen and started digging a hole to burry her. His face was stone cold.

Bluebell sunk to her knees. we came so far... she hugged Icicle tightly.

Shad saw bluebell sit down and came to her picking her up into his arms hugging her tightly.

she started to cry. she felt so bad... they had traveled so far... she just couldn't stop.

Shad rubbed her hair and whispered in her ear words that would hopfully calm her down.

she eventually calmed down. she helped Shad dig the hole and put the woman in it. She ut down some wildflowers.

shadc voered the hole and sat next to Bluebell. "what now? i guess we go home..."

"yeah." she hitched up the sled.

He sighed "Bluebell... I'm sorry about this... about dragging you out like that. I should have just sent you home and gone myself." He stood with his head hanging.

"its o.k." she said, smiling sadly. "You might've fallen or lost the woman."

"Not that you would be any help to that if i did fall, you would have fallen too." He stepped over and attached the dogs. "right lets go."

she got on and watched as the mountain where the woman was buried faded in the distance. she sighed. So much for peace and quiet. she thought. they finally got home and said their goodbyes. she went to her house and had some soup. "Come on Icicle. Let's forget about this." she said, picking up a mop and started cleaning.