Night had fallen over the ruins of the city- a shadow cast like plague. Through the slats of the ruins, floodlights pierced violently, illuminating the rolling clouds of warm breath. They searched tirelessly, armed with crude weaponry, axes and clubs. Here, guns would freeze and shatter. Here, gunfire would echo. Here, it would alert the Others. She pressed gelid fingers to the infant’s lips, praying and screaming silently that he would remain still in her arms- that he would not reveal them.

The babe and nurse were the last left within the City walls. The envoy had already fled- too hurried to linger for stragglers. The winter’s bite dug into her neck, and her communication line went dead. She pressed hard against the concrete wall, the metal virus container bumped behind her and she winced, as a sudden thick breathing neared, echoing behind her like a torn wind. She knew the Seekers were dull and had little sensory. It would be close, but it would never be able to- She glanced up, eyes widening as she caught his reflection in the perfect, crystalline icicle- tears freezing to her cheeks when she realize that he could see her own.

--
Forget the gun, grab the cannoli.