[That's the spirit!] Doudou cheered. [Exploit the labor while the labor is still conscious!]
Weijie approached her, draped in a sturdy leather harness he used for hauling large game.
He scooped her up effortlessly, settling her onto his back. Even through the furs,
Ningning could feel the radiating heat of his body. It was intoxicating, but now it felt like a countdown.
"We go to the white stones." Weijie announced, stepping out of the cave.
The sunlight hit Ningning's face, and she squinted.
The tribe clearing was bustling. She saw Nala and Puka near the communal fire, and for a moment, she felt a pang of guilt.
They were all laughing, oblivious to the fact that they were about to enter a five-month coma.
"I can't save the whole tribe." she realized with a cold shiver. "I can only save my myself. I'm sure they have other plans for their winters. I'm the newcomer here."
