CHAPTER 38

Ana

I look up at the overcast sky and feel a chill sinking into my bones as a cold wind blows through the clearing. What a perfect day to be outside , I think sarcastically, frowning as I pull my hat down to cover my ears.

"What happened? A week ago, it was perfect. Now it's like the North Pole has declared war."

Ryan pauses, resting his shovel on the ground and turning to look at me with an expression of incredulity.

"You think this is bad? It's above freezing right now. This is nothing. Wait until it's 20 below as a daytime high. Then you can complain."

I gape at him in horror.

"Twenty degrees below zero? Fahrenheit?"

"In January, this area spent over two weeks below zero. Got as cold as thirty-five below last winter."

I look around at the wildlife surrounding the cabin. "How is anything still alive here? How is this not an Arctic wasteland?"

"The inhabitants have learned to adap