CHAPTER 33: 33: A WORLD OF FROST AND HEAT

The base gates groaned shut with a metallic screech, the sound swallowed by the biting cold of the early morning air. Snow clung to every surface, muffling the world in a heavy silence, broken only by the crunch of boots on frost-covered ground.

Winter trudged in with his team, rifle slung over his shoulder, his face streaked with dirt and exhaustion. His breath fogged in the icy air as he cast a brief glance back at Nadine, whose stormy expression was as obvious as the red flush of her cheeks from the cold—or perhaps frustration.

"You’re unbelievable!" she snapped, shoving past one of the others in her attempt to storm ahead, nearly slipping on an icy patch in the process. She caught herself just in time, straightened, and shot a glare at anyone who dared look amused.

The team trailed behind her, the mood a strange mix of tension and silent amusement. With his scarred face and ever-present smirk, Felix walked at the rear, his sharp eyes taking in the scene with lazy interest. Beside him, a younger recruit whispered something under his breath that earned a low chuckle from the veteran.

Nadine stopped abruptly, turning on her heel to yell at someone near the gate. "And you, don’t think I didn’t notice you slacking back there! If it weren’t for me—"

Felix rubbed a hand over his face, his scar catching the light. "Not now, Nadine," he said with a tone that was more weary than scolding.

Nadine didn’t relent, her eyes darting toward Winter. "I guess some people think they’re too good to listen," she hissed, loud enough for him to hear, though her words lacked the direct confrontation she likely wanted.

He didn’t say a word, but the subtle lift of his brow was enough to make Nadine huff and spin away, muttering curses under her breath.

What was the use of arguing with her when he carried the whole team on his back the entire mission?

Winter ignored her words entirely, his jaw tightening as he scanned the courtyard. Then he saw Zara.

She stood near the edge of the group, bundled in her usual oversized coat. One hand gripped its hem nervously while the other tightened around the bulge instinctively, pressing Leo’s sleeping form closer to her chest. When her eyes locked on him, they widened in relief before she took a few hesitant steps forward.

He watched silently as she started toward him, her boots crunching on the snow. She reached him in moments, her gloved hand halfway to his arm before she caught herself. She froze, her heart thudding painfully as she quickly retracted her hand and shoved it into her pocket instead.

Zara coughed into her hand, stepping back to put some distance between them, though her voice betrayed her awkwardness. "You didn’t chicken out on me, huh?" she whispered, a teasing edge to her tone that didn’t quite mask her concern.

The cold stung her cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the heat creeping up her neck.

Winter turned his head toward her, and the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The expression was slow and tired but still carrying his usual bite. "Chickening out’s not my style," he replied, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "I think you’re projecting."

Her lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but she covered it by arching an eyebrow. "I don’t project. I make educated guesses."

"Well, guess again," Winter shot back, a faint rasp in his voice from hours of yelling orders and barking commands.

She couldn’t help the soft snort that escaped her, quickly muffled by a gloved hand. Their voices were quiet, barely audible over the sound of the others unloading gear and muttering amongst themselves.

It was clear they had been able to find something during their search. The words she had heard while hiding in the depot had made her more worried than she would have liked to admit.

She took a moment to stare at him. Nothing seemed too out of place. He looked every bit the soldier returning from battle—exhausted, hardened, and somehow untouchable. His rifle hung from one hand, its barrel streaked with grime, and his dark hair was damp with melted snow. Dirt smudged his jawline, making the pale green of his eyes stand out.

"Like what you see? My eyes are up here," Winter coughed.

Zara narrowed her eyes, resisting the urge to roll them. "Charming, sure. You look like you wrestled a bear out there."

"Didn’t wrestle it," Winter replied, leaning slightly closer. "Just scared it off with my winning personality.

Their exchange was quiet, but the energy between them was impossible to ignore. Zara’s fingers fidgeted with the buttons on her coat. Her stance slightly turned toward him as if unconsciously drawn closer. Winter’s shoulders relaxed minutely, though his gaze lingered on her just a second too long.

Zara caught Greg watching them from the corner of her eye. His jaw was tight, and his knuckles were white as they gripped the railings. She had avoided him for a few days and was running out of excuses when Winter’s group came back this morning.

Nadine’s hands curled into fists at her sides, her earlier anger now tinged with jealousy that flickered in her sharp gaze.

Felix broke the tension with a low clap of his hands. "Alright, everyone. Clean up and get some rest. Briefing in two hours. Try not to kill each other before then."

The group began to disperse, but Zara lingered for a moment, her gaze following Winter as he turned toward the barracks. Without thinking, she fell into step behind him, her boots crunching softly against the frozen ground.

*****

Winter pushed open the door to his quarters, letting it creak on its rusted hinges. The room was as utilitarian as it came—metal walls, a small cot, a battered desk—but it felt like a sanctuary after days in the field. He set his rifle down carefully in the corner before turning to find Zara hovering in the doorway.

"You need something, or are you just here to judge my decor?" he asked, his tone dry but not unkind.

Zara huffed, stepping inside despite the jab. "I found a depot," she said, her voice quieter now. "Food, some medical supplies. No ammo, though."

Winter nodded, kicking off his boots with a grunt. "Better than nothing. The group I was with—they’re lucky they made it back alive. Half of them were borderline feral."

"Sounds like you had fun," Zara said, her sarcasm light but pointed.

"Thrilling," he deadpanned, dropping his backpack onto the floor with a heavy thud. The motion stirred a cloud of dust, and he stretched, tugging off his jacket with a wince.

"We were lucky to find the supply cache when we did. The kid literally fell into it. Then we had to spend a shit ton of hours digging him out, fighting zombies, and then getting the supplies out. "

His shirt followed shortly after, revealing faint scars etched across his back like pale, uneven lines on tanned skin.

"Oh? Maybe the group who gathered it had to flee qui—"

Zara froze mid-sentence, her eyes caught on the marks. She knew better than to ask about them, but her curiosity lingered heavily. She didn’t mean to stare, but the jagged lines spoke of a past he never talked about.

Winter didn’t seem to notice—or maybe he did and didn’t care. He reached for the waistband of his pants, but the sound of Zara’s sharp squeak stopped him.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice pitched higher than usual.

Winter turned to look at her, one brow arching in faint amusement. "I’m covered in dirt and blood, Zara. I need to change unless you want me to continue like this...?"

Zara’s face burned. "You could have—" She waved a hand vaguely in his direction, flustered. "You should have said something!"

Winter smirked, his amusement evident. "Didn’t realize I needed permission."

She glared at him, flustered and unable to come up with a retort. "I’m leaving," she muttered, spinning on her heel and stalking toward the door. "Next time, give a warning."

Winter chuckled softly as the door slammed behind her, her huffy muttering fading down the hall.

*****

The snow had thickened outside by the time Winter knocked on Zara’s door. She opened it cautiously, her coat already on, the bulk of it hiding Leo, who remained tucked securely against her chest.

Winter stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his hair damp from a recent wash and his face clean, though the shadows under his eyes spoke of his exhaustion.

"Already done with your meeting?" She asked, closing the door behind her.

"Yeah, there wasn’t much to discuss," he sighed, rolling his shoulders. Zara totally didn’t notice the way his muscles strained against his shirt or anything like that. "Just the zombies and the supplies."

"Oh," she hummed softly, moving past him to sit on the bed.

"Oh? Nothing to say?"

"What do you want me to say?" she retorted, folding her arms.

Leo stirred slightly beneath her coat, but she shifted him expertly, ensuring he remained hidden.

"Nothing. Figured we should talk about the depot," Winter said.

"Right," she said, nodding.

The conversation drifted into strategy, their voices low as they sketched out a plan.

"Plan’s simple," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "We hit the depot tomorrow night. Get in, get out, no unnecessary risks."

Zara nodded, her fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on her coat. "I know the layout. I’ll lead."

Winter tilted his head, studying her. "You sure? A place like that, you get one wrong turn, and you’re boxed in."

"I’m sure," she replied firmly, meeting his gaze. The steel in her voice left no room for argument.

He pushed off the frame, taking a step closer. "And the guards?"

She hesitated. "Few. But they’ll be armed."

"Of course, they will," Winter muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I’ll handle them."

Zara frowned. "You’re too quick to take that on yourself."

He met her gaze, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "It’s what I’m good at."

The words hung between them, heavy and unspoken. Zara shifted in her seat, her hand brushing against the coat’s fabric. Leo shifted beneath it again, but she masked the movement with a quick adjustment, her heart pounding.

"I’ll distract if needed," she said, her voice firmer now. "We’ll grab what we need and go."

Winter leaned back, his expression softening slightly. "Not exactly a groundbreaking plan, but it works."

Zara allowed herself a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Goodnight, Winter."

He lingered a moment longer, his gaze sweeping over her face as if searching for something. Finally, he nodded. "Goodnight, Zara."

As the door clicked shut behind him, Zara exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her hand drifted to Leo, who peeked up at her with wide, curious eyes. She smiled faintly, brushing his hair back. "Tomorrow," she murmured, "we’ll be out of here. Just a little longer."