Kiperina: Hmm?
The soothing sound of a faint metallic clink reaches her dreams, and Kiperina stirs up from her slumber.
Kiperina: This is ...?
The room is slightly old-fashioned but warm.
The wind still howls, shaking the windows from the outside, but within this little sheltered world, it soon fades away.
Kiperina props herself up in bed, the thick blanket sliding down her chest.
Kiperina: No wonder I feel so warm.
Her companion, along with its weighty dwelling, leaps onto her belly.
Han Zhang: You're finally awake! You scared the life out of me!
Han Zhang: If I let anything happen to you, everyone back home would've turned me into salamander jerky!
Han Zhang: Hey now, don't try getting up yet! She said you need to warm up your hands and feet a little longer.
Kiperina: "She"?
Han Zhang gestures outward as a woman in her thirties steps out from what looks like the kitchen.
Woman: That's right, dear. Just rest for a while.
Woman: The frostbite's already been taken care of, but the ointment will work better if we keep it and you warm.
Woman: Come now, let me tuck you in.
Kiperina: Oh. Okay.
Her tone is warm and easy. Kiperina pauses for a moment, then lies back down without protest.
Kiperina: Were you the one who saved me?
Kiperina: I don't know how to thank you enough. If it weren't for you, I ...
A tray laden with steaming soup, bread, and roasted sausages is placed at Kiperina's bedside.
Woman: Anyone would have done the same. Falling down in the snow like that, the cold could have killed you.
Woman: You go ahead and eat something now.
Kiperina: Thank you.
Han Zhang: Larissa sure knows her way around the kitchen. Not to worry. I already tested the food for you.
Kiperina sits up, placing the tray on her lap.
She thinks she isn't hungry at first until the aroma of the food fills her nose.
Kiperina: I suppose I could eat.
The sausages and bread soon fill her empty stomach, mixing with the hot soup that brings a comforting warmth that spreads out as if seeping through her bones.
The gloom in her heart fades, and she feels a sudden surge of renewed energy.
Woman: How are you feeling? A little better?
Kiperina: Yes ... I ...
Kiperina: I'm doing much better.
The woman furrows her brow.
Woman: My dear, your face is still telling me otherwise.
Kiperina falls silent for a moment.
Shame and regret begin to surface, rising like the steam from her bowl.
Kiperina: I-I just never thought it could be so simple.
Kiperina: That a simple bowl of soup and a blanket would make me feel like this.
Kiperina: Losing something important, never seeing the people you love again. But does this mean people can just go on living as if nothing has changed?
Her hands shake, yet her eyes are unbearably dry.
If only she could just shed a tear, perhaps it would bring her a little relief.
But there's nothing there.
Kiperina: Is everyone like this?
Kiperina: Or is it only me?
Han Zhang: You ...
Han Zhang opens its mouth, as if on the verge of speaking, but the words don't come out. The only sound in the room is the wind slipping through the crack in the door.
After a moment, warm hands gently rest on Kiperina's shoulders.
Woman: That's not it, child.
Woman: I don't know what you've been through, but I can tell that you're strong.
Woman: And there's nothing wrong with being strong. Your family would never hold that against you. So—
Her hands gently cradle Kiperina's face.
Woman: Lift your head, dear.
She meets blue eyes as clear as a bright sky.
Then a strange realization strikes her. As if she's seen those eyes before.
Before she can clarify her thoughts, she finds herself speaking.
Kiperina: You ...
All at once her world is swallowed by darkness.
Literally.
Kiperina: Oh.
Han Zhang: Huh? Why'd the lights go out? Oof! What did I just bump into?
Woman: Oh no! That must be the generator acting up again.
Woman: The machine's been around since they retired it from the drilling site years ago. We just fixed it up last month. I guess that fix didn't take.
Woman: Let's light a candle for now. I think there's one more around here, just a moment.
The sound of rummaging through boxes moves sporadically around until, after a moment, a faint candle flickers, casting out a dim light.
Woman: At least we can see each other.
Woman: But I'm not sure that we can hold out until the snow stops. Hmm, this may be tricky.
Kiperina: The generator ...
Kiperina thinks for a moment before lifting the blanket from herself.
Kiperina: Maybe I can fix it. Can I take a look?
