Click
A vibrant orange glow begins to radiate out from the heat lamp, filling the inside of my jacket. Everything illumined by that light begins to warm.
Zrrrp
I zip up my jacket and look forward. An uneven landscape of trees with barren limbs, and a floor covered deep in snow stretches out. The mountains weren't far now, it would only be a few minutes till I got there. I'd been out too long, my legs are completely numb besides the feeling of that sharp, unrelenting wind of cold. My pants had been soaked by now, but freezing water seeping into my boots was the last of my worries.
I could feel myself being dragged. An invisible force was pulling me backwards, coupled with the wind blowing past me. If I hesitated for even a moment, my will would surely break. I tighten my grip on the rope behind me, pulling my sled as hard as I could as I trudged forward. My eyes didn't leave the sight of the mountains, and I kept pushing my leg forward as hard as I could through the snow. "Nnhhhgh" I growl through my gritting teeth. Turning around, I grab the rope with both hands and wrap it around one of my arms, the risk of ripping my clothes didn't matter anymore.
Every movement was filled with as much force as I could muster. Every step was an intensely conscious decision, like I put my mind throughout my legs and said, "Go! I have to get there!". The mountains were close now, the shadow cast from them was covering my body. The shadow..? I look up and realize the sun is setting behind the mountains. "Rrrnnghh!" I hurriedly grunt out as I pull harder.
There was no choice now, everything I spent so long gathering would have to be left behind, or I'd die. I drop the rope and run forward. My foot catches and I fall--it doesn't matter. I violently throw my arms outwards and push my legs forward, leaping as I crawl on the floor. The snow covered me up to the bottom of my eyes, but I saw the entrance to my home. I thrash forward for a final time and land on the frigid stone floor. I stand as fast as I can, and reach for the door. The momentum from all of this makes my shoulder bash into one of the planks, knocking a piece out as I push the door open and land inside.
My body hurts. I landed on my side, and I kick the door shut as I lay on the floor.