The Huntsman Ch. 02

The blanket is doing little good when I can't even produce body heat, by the end of the day I can't even walk in a straight line, I stumble and this time I can't keep my feet under me. I slam to my knees, at this point I don't care what finds me, my throat is dry and aching, every inch of me is swollen with agony, there is no way the Huntsman will be near, we have been moving in opposite directions for days... Still I hesitate, if I scream and he comes to me it will be my own fault, is there a point to calling for help in the middle of the forest?

I roll onto my back and stare up at the sky, the stars are starting to shine, I take a deep breath and the scream crackles through my throat, tearing the tender flesh, ripping open my dry lips and I am surprised at the weakness of the sound. I am shaking so violently the leaves rustle beneath me, the leaf shoes have torn open and I can feel the biting chill eating into my exposed feet, soon winter will take me far away. I welcome the release, I close my eyes and when I open them daylight has pierced the sky again, I'm still shivering, I try to scream but the sound barely resonates through my chest let alone through the trees. I close my eyes and accept death, my entire body is numb at this point, I'm so tired the world fades in and out of focus, my breath comes in shallow pulses. Then the world slips into blackness and right before it happens I know I will never open my eyes again.