Dead
By Gennia and Alice

Prologue

A white cloud of smoke escaped my agape mouth. It hung in the freezing air for a few seconds, then disappeared. But it was quickly replaced by the next one. This went on, I stopped paying attention to it after awhile, just as how I ignored the sharp pain in my throat and chest as I sucked in each gulp of cold air. The thrusting and lifting of the shovel soon became rhythmic; my arms worked in a robotic manner. Push, lift, dump. Push, lift, dump. Despite my white surroundings and the below freezing temperature, I was sickenly hot. My warm-damp shirt clung to me, making every inch of my body burn. I wanted turn myself inside out and sink in to the blessed snow. I wanted to stop, drive down the mountain and just go home. I would simply sleep for days and days. But I knew must not, at least not until I was finished. Push, lift, dump. Push, lift, dump. I finally stopped, the ditch should be large enough, it could have used a couple more scoops but I didn’t care anymore. I turned around to retrieve the large black package. After a few heaves and puffs, I rolled the plastic bag and its content into its newly dug grave. As quickly as my arms would move, I covered it with the old snow and dirt. Within minutes, a layer of fresh whiteness assuaged the disrupted ground. It looked as if it was never touched, and hopefully, it wouldn’t be touched for at least a couple days or even weeks.

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