a steady stream of sleet pounds the compound and small surrounding shacks.
pitch black except for the barest of lighting which outlines the building. wind. the swirl of ice.
macready and nauls, wearing their snowshoes and using flares for light, pull themselves along the steadying rope that leads to blair's shed. they are careful to keep an eye on each other as they move along.
the wind rumbles. the storm is at its peak. macready, childs and nauls, guided by their flares, pull themselves along the steadying rope, headed, for blair's shack.
the fires smolder on. bright embers dance in the blackness -- pushed by the soughing wind.