Wolf's PoV
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I was breathing hard as I forced myself to fly even faster. I frantically scanned the landscape below as it blurred, pines and snow and ice rushing past. I even saw a walrus that I mistook for a large pile of--you know what, I'm just going to stop there.

'Where could he be?!' I thought as I pushed myself to the limit. Panting, I eventually glided down and wandered towards an ice cave. Exhausted, I flopped down.

Little did I know of what was to come. Had I known, I would've done something different that day.

Ghost's PoV
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With a groan, I found myself forced awake by none other than the pleasant feeling of pain. Pins and needles--except they were more like talons and icicles--stabbed in my chest. Apparently my ribs couldn't hold under the strain of sleep.

With a monumental amount of effort, I managed to flip myself over. My stomach rumbled, reminding of how hungry I was. Wincing, I gazed sadly at my empty belly. I hadn't eaten in probably a quarter moon.

'Ah, geez. I sound like a MudWing,' I frowned.

I sighed, hauling myself to my feet, legs shaking. And then suddenly I was back on the ice with a thud. I shook my head, muscles vehemently protesting against any movement.

I let out an angry hiss, steam escaping from my nostrils and floating away. Eventually I relented, putting my head back down, shivering. It's funny, I never used to really mind the cold. But now, it flared from boiling hot to freezing cold. There was no in between.

Heat radiated from the infected wounds. If anything, they looked even worse. My scales had begun to take on a dull gray tone on top of the sickly green, and there was a faint pale yellow as well. In short, I looked horrible.

Worse, actually.

I looked like death.

I winced as another wave of pain rippled through me. It hurt to flex my toes, not to mention anything about standing. I let out a short growl of frustration.

'Guess I'm not going anywhere, then.'

I finally gave in, rolling onto my aching side. I could feel the darkness creeping in, the scissors nearing my thread.

And if it took me, I was ready.

I had no friends, no family, everyone hated me. I wouldn't be missed. Something nagged at me in the back of my head, but I pushed it away.

I couldn't get caught up in fantasies. I'd already done that and it had nearly destroyed me. I wouldn't make that mistake again.

If I did, it would push me over the edge. And then there would be no coming back.

Wolf's PoV
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I woke with a start, spine tingling. There was a strange sensation all over, and I had the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

I slipped out of the cave with a yawn, blinking as the light hit my eyes. It was snowing, but that didn't mean the sun wasn't out. I gave myself a shake, ruff of horns clattering a little. The sound was like a thunderclap in the eerie blankness of the tundra.

Finally, I stretched my stiff muscles, catching a scent on the air. I immediately recoiled at the sickly stench heavy in the air, gagging. I was forced to pause to make sure I wouldn't throw up.

As I got another whiff, I hesitated. There was another scent under the overwhelmingly disgusting stink.

Wait.

That smells vaguely familiar....

It was slightly stale, but still fairly fresh. That's when it hit me.

Him.

I glanced up at the flakes floating leisurely down from the sky. Hopefully it wouldn't get any worse. Not for a while, at least.

"Gotta find him before the snow masks his scent. Ugh," I grumbled aloud, letting out a small huff of irritation.

I only hoped I could find him before all hope was destroyed.

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'Stupid, stupid, stupid!' I chastised myself, frustrated. 'I never should've left. It's all my fault this is happening. If I hadn't....betrayed him, I wouldn't be stuck looking for him, being hunted by those brutes.'

I struck out at the snow in anger, but the flakes continued to float leisurely down. "Congratulations, snow. Welcome to hell," I growled. They were lucky they were just snowflakes. They didn't have to worry about any dumb things with friends. Heck, they didn't even have feelings. Just snowflakes. They had no idea how incredibly lucky they were.

Wait.

Why was I talking to snowflakes?

I must really have been loosing it. Maybe the search for Ghost was more taxing than I thought. I swung my head left and right, attempting to grasp at scents; trying to figure out where to go, where I had come from.

But all I saw was white, extending for many, many dragon-lengths. I spun around searching desperately for any sign of where the trail had led. But it had disappeared, masked under the snow. My head and tail drooped. I had failed.

'I'm never going to find him now.'

"I'm sorry, Ghost," I whispered.

**A/N: AHHHHH SO SORRY FOR THE SUPER LATE UPDATE!!!! I've been busy with finals and stuff but my online school gets out on Friday so hopefully I'll be updating more frequently. I have like 2 final projects and I'm so stressed and GaH I'M GoINg tO DiE UndEr aLl thE PReSsurE. It's been hard for me, balancing schoolwork with free time and wanting to hang out with friends and all that lovely stuff. Anyways, y'all aren't here to hear me gripe about life. I'm sorry for dumping that on you guys. You're too kind, just enduring my rants about life and crap and stuff. I love you all. Please vote, share, and comment! Hugs, -cycriss**