— Drew asked, offering a hand.
The man tried to push himself up, put weight on his leg, and immediately collapsed back down with a sharp cry.
— Damn it… My leg… — he hissed through his teeth, clutching his thigh.
Drew knelt and looked at the wound. It looked like he’d caught it on a sharp branch or a rock. It wasn’t a break, but it was deep.
— Don’t try to walk. I’ll pull you, — Drew said, standing up.
— On that sled? — The man looked at him skeptically. — Kid, it’s a long way to the road…
— It’s only about half a mile to my house. I can do it.
Drew went back to the trail and hauled the sled over. He dumped half the wood—it hurt to see an hour’s work go, but a life was more important. He leveled out the remaining logs to make a seat.
— Here, lean on me, — Drew put his shoulder under the man’s arm.
The man stood up heavily, leaning his full weight on Drew. Limping badly, they made it to the sled. The man sat down, settling himself on the wood.
— Thank you, — he exhaled, closing his eyes. — I thought I was done for. I thought I’d freeze out here.
Drew grabbed the rope and pulled. The sled creaked and started to move. It was much heavier now—an adult man is no small load. But he managed. He walked in silence, his shoulders straining. Sweat broke out on his forehead despite the cold. He breathed in deep, rhythmic lungfuls of air.
— What’s your name? — the man asked after a minute.
— Drew, — he answered without looking back.
— I’m Arthur. Arthur Sterling.
The man was silent for a moment.
— You saved me, Drew. I won’t forget this. I promise, I’ll make it right.
— You don’t owe me anything, — Drew shrugged. — Anyone would have helped.
Arthur gave a short, bitter laugh.
— Not anyone, believe me, — he muttered.
Drew glanced over his shoulder. Arthur was hunched over, shivering violently. His face was gray, his lips still tinged with blue.
— You okay? — Drew asked.
— Cold, — Arthur nodded. — But I’m alive. That’s what matters.
Drew pulled the sled again. The trail dipped slightly, making it easier. The woods were darkening as twilight set in. The snow crunched rhythmically under the runners.
— How long were you out there? — Drew asked.
— I don’t know. Three hours? Maybe more. — Arthur rubbed his hands, blowing on his fingers. — I didn’t think anyone would find me. Nobody comes out this far.
— I come for wood about once a week. — Drew wiped sweat from his brow with his sleeve.
— Lucky me, — Arthur whispered.
They walked in silence for another five minutes. Drew wondered who this man was. Expensive suit, expensive watch, spoke like a city executive. But he was tied up in the woods. Who did that? Mobsters? Kidnappers? Or maybe he was the criminal and his own people turned on him? Drew stole another look. Arthur looked lost, broken. He didn’t look like a gangster. He looked like a businessman who had made a very wrong turn.
— So, what happened? — Drew couldn’t help asking. — Who tied you up?
Arthur sighed, rubbing his face.
— It’s a long story, — he said quietly. — I’ll tell you when we get inside. If you’ll have me, that is.
— Where else are you going to go? — Drew muttered. — You can’t walk on that leg.
— Thank you. — Arthur smiled weakly. — You’re a good kid.
Drew shrugged. The sled reached the top of a small rise, and he leaned into the rope with everything he had. His leg muscles burned, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
— Too heavy?
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