The night was as black as it was long
Interminable and frigid and all encompassing
His body was being slowly taken over by the cold
He felt his flesh die as the cold gripped his heart
Then…a light in the distance
He used the last of his strength in his body to run to it
The necrosis in his tissue pulling him to the ground
His skin peeling off as he grabbed the knob to safety
His body hit the ground
The light of the hearth beckoned to him
It drew his body to its comfort
Its warmth filled his nigh carrion with life
He sat by the fire
Put his hands to it
Breathes the shallow breath of a near escape from death
His life finally saved
He breathes relieved
The icy grip of death relinquishes its hold of his heart
The hearth holds him lovingly
The comfort of the fire bringing life back to his soul
