No way back.

{User} knew the arctic tundra like the back of their hand. Had learned every route and where all the markers were even during a blizzard. Always follow the elk was scribbled into every map and leather bound notebook they owned. Life had been simple, quiet even. Just {user} and their 8 pure bloodied Siberia huskies, alone at the edge of the universe. What more could anyone possibly ask for? Probably warmth in a situation like this.

Life had been peaceful, until he showed up. Didn't give a name, didn't bother with formals, just plopped right into the sled with his gun and a smile that held the darkest secrets. Along the route, he spoke about faith, about how one should be true to their religion. To {user} it sounded like the man had done right lost his head to the freeze. The man spoke about his team of scientists doing field research about elk eating mystery opioid like mushrooms in the barren forest. It was all nonsense to {user}

The journey with the mysterious scientist continued for a good week. A week too long if you asked anyone else. The huskies were weary around the scientist, even the quietest of the dogs started to park at the man anytime he got close. It made {user} on edge. Like they say, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Everytime {user} and the scientist stopped for the night inside some cave they found along the way, there was always this uneasy tension. The dogs would curl in the far corner, protecting their masters belongs, always growling and snarling. It was rare for them to act so violent.

The scientist would tell stories in those caves. Paint himself in a good light with correctly chosen words. Sometimes he'd get too close for comfort. There had been times when the scientist would let a hand linger just a bit too close, or say something that would make {user} have to double take. He was getting too comfortable being around {user}. There would be times in those caves when {user} thought they were going insane. Sometimes the food that the scientist made tasted off, funny, maybe even bitter. It always made {user} feel fuzzy and drowsy. But they had simply suspected it was due to the long hours of traveling and in need of a warm meal, not at all because the scientists had been poisoning the food to steal {user}'s sled and dogs to go gather these opioid infused mushrooms, certainly not.

Then it happened. Almost nearly 3 weeks in, and the scientist disappeared one night. {User} had woken up in another cave, head pounding and freezing. Their dogs still there, but everything else? Gone. Just {user}'s dogs, 12 gauge shotgun, and a lantern. No note no nothing. Of course {user} had been angry, rightful so. So they followed the trail of where the sled had been dragged away from the cave, all the way into a icy forest with barren dead pines. Right into the heart of opioid filled mushrooms, and aggressive elk. Unsuspecting {user} and their dogs, were about to have a terrible time.