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 circled them, his breath visible in the frigid air as he barked sharply, urging Eli to hurry.

Eli sprinted back to the cabin, his mind racing as fast as his feet. How had she ended up here, alone and exposed to the elements? The storm swallowed his thoughts, pressing in from all directions as if it could snuff out their tiny flame of hope. But Eli had faced down storms before—storms of sand, storms of bullets. 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 settled next to her, his warm flank against her side, as Eli wrapped her in blankets and rubbed her hands briskly, willing life back into them.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Eli murmured, his voice barely a whisper beneath the storm’s roar outside. “Stay with us. You’re safe now.”

The girl shivered violently, her body a fragile thing teetering on the edge of awareness. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, the dullness in them slowly giving way to a flicker of recognition and fear.

“Max, stay close,” Eli commanded, as he threw more logs onto the fire. He needed to get her warm and stable, but beyond that, he needed answers. Where had she come from, and who was she apologizing to?

As the minutes ticked by, the girl’s color began to return, the blue tinge receding from her lips. Eli prepared some hot broth, coaxing her to sip it as he cradled her head gently. Each swallow seemed a monumental effort, but with every sip, she grew a little stronger, a little more present.

Finally, warmth began to seep into the cabin, not just from the fire, but from the life slowly returning to the little girl. She blinked at Eli, her eyes clearer now, 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, her voice hoarse and fragile. “I was… I was hiding.”

“Hiding? From what?” Eli pressed, concern creasing his brow.

Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over silently as she shook her head, the memories too fresh and painful to articulate. Max nosed her hand gently, offering comfort in the way only he could.

Eli nodded, understanding the scars that trauma could leave. He had his own collection, 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 showed no signs of abating, but inside the cabin, a fragile peace was beginning to take hold. Eli sat back, watching as Lila’s eyes grew heavy, lulled by the warmth and safety she hadn’t known in too long.

As she drifted into an exhausted sleep, Eli felt a fierce protectiveness swell within him. He didn’t know what Lila had been through, but he vowed that she would never have to face it alone again.