ON TOUR IN STANGE TRENCHES - 1

October 17, 2026

Snow fell softly outside. Everything was already covered in it.
Thick layers that made whole hills in some places. I hug my knees,
wood biting into my tailbone. I could see my breath, billowing up
like dust from an old book.

I blink the ice from my lashes, watching the snow swirl gently
outside the entrance of my dugout, settling on those tall naked and
ancient trees sparsely dotted around the landscape. You could still
see my footsteps, going to a few of the trees to take some of the lower
branches, then to the endless frozen lake a few yards north of my
shelter. The ice layer is thick enough to walk on. unfortunately,
because I needed to break through to fish.

I huff, leaning forward. Blonde hair obscures part of my vision.
It had taken so long to break through the ice that I could only fish
for maybe a few minutes before the sun began to set. I returned to
my makeshift-home, hungry. Though,
I'd rather that than be outside with whatever things make those noises at night.