Subzero

"I'm going to take the dogs out to pee, Sir," Douglas said, pulling on his longjohns and sweatshirt and pants and parka and a second jacket.

"Don't go far, boy. When you get back, we'll all get under the bearskin and hunker down," Devonte said.

"Yes Sir," Douglas agreed. Well, pussy to eat and cock to suck tonight, he thought. He went out with the huskies. Two of them did their business immediately, but Loki, the youngest, dashed into the snow energetically.

"Loki! Back! Now!" But heedless, the dog ran into the snowdrift. Douglas got some string, following the dog, leaving the string behind to follow back home. Loki led him out near the river ... where he saw her.

She was pretty, with long dark hair. She reminded him of Elizabeth. He checked her pulse. She was still alive, but the cold would get her soon. He opened her eyes. Blue ... like Elizabeth. He had a moment of doubt, before looking into her pockets. Katie ... Jefferson. He swallowed hard. This was his daughter.

He summoned that sort of unexpected strength any parent manifests to save their daughter. He had his daughter in a fireman's carry position, and he lurched through the snow back home, following the trail he'd left.

He was running out of strength when he arrived. He carefully laid Katie down on the floor and collapsed, the weakness and stress and anxiety overcoming him.

"Faith ... Devonte! Help! Please!" He rasped out, before all went dark for him, as well.