Winter Light
by Julio Angel Ortiz

The wind rolled over the Doctor’s hands as he gripped the axe, lifting it over his head and again bringing it down onto the log. The log split apart complacently, falling in two pieces on either side of the old tree stump. The Doctor looked down at the newly split wood for a moment, feeling the wind stinging his cheeks. He turned aside, gazing in to the darkness painted between the trees. For a moment, his foot twitched, as if to begin taking uneasy steps through the thick snow. He blinked rapidly as dryness overtook his eyes, and then turned his attention back to the wood on the ground. He knelt down, picking up the wood and placing it on a cart beside him. The Doctor pulled on the handles, grunting as he struggled to move it. Slowly, he rolled it over to rest beside the cottage and began to offload the wood on to an existing pile.

‘Doctor,’ came a voice from within the cottage. It sounded weak and tired.

The Doctor turned his head quickly. ‘Yes, Ruby?’

There was no immediate response. The Doctor’s eyes narrowed

‘Ruby? Are you all right?’

A sputtering of coughs replied. The Doctor sighed and nodded his head knowingly, dropping the piece of wood he held in his hand as he made his way rapidly around the cottage to the entrance. He opened the door and entered, taking in a sharp breath as the warmth engulfed his body. The Doctor glanced over at the fire, watching the embers dance and crackle for a brief moment before turning his attention to Ruby. He strolled into her room, sitting on the rustic chair beside her bed. He brought his hand to he face to check for a fever and then slid it down her rugged face in a gentle caress.

‘Ruby,’ began the Doctor, before she engaged in another round of coughing. The Doctor helped Ruby sit up in her bed, and then reached over for a glass of water on the bedside table. He brought the tumbler up to her cracked lips, helping Ruby as she opened her mouth and began to swallow. Some of the water began to trickle down the side of her chin, and the Doctor quickly removed a polka dot handkerchief from his pocket and began to dab her face. He then helped Ruby lie down again on to the bed, and she looked at him calmly, slowly giving him a smile.

‘Always taking care of me, Doctor,’ she said, her voice withered and weak.

‘Of course, Ruby,’ he said quietly. ‘Always a pleasure.’