All I want for Christmas is… Part 8
December 24th… Japan.
Ryu stumbled on through the blinding snowstorm. His visibility was reduced to mere inches away from his face. The biting wind pierced his already numb skin to the bone.
Silently he trudged on through the deep snow relying on only his acute sense of direction to lead him home. Tripping over a fallen log covered by the deep snow, Ryu fell into a snowdrift and remained motionless.
His thoughts drifted as the snow quickly began to cover up any trace that he had passed though this way.
His thoughts drifted to his friend Ken, who undoubtedly was enjoying the time with his friends and loved ones. Treasuring the happiness that Ryu could never have.
And what would Chun li be doing? She was probably snuggled up in the arms of the man who had mended her broken heart after so many sad years of waiting for a Wanderer who had no inkling of her love for him.
Ryu slowly crawled back to his feet. He may have lost his heart, but he was not going to let the blizzard claim what was left of him.
Time seamed to be suspended as he stumbled from tree to tree for support. Finally he could feel the stone steps embedded into the hill that led to the dojo.
Having to nearly crawl up each step to avoid slipping and falling back down the hill, he finally made it up to the top step.
He could now see the dark outline of the dojo against the forest. He increased his stride almost falling again as he raced for the entrance.
Sliding open the heavy wooden doors, he stepped inside and struggled against the raging wind to close them. Using up the remaining strength he had, he slammed the door shut.
Ryu stumbled forward into large room and collapsed finally upon the polished wooden floor. He had finally made it home.
His eyes started to focus on an errie light that started to dance upon the walls coming down from one of the hallways. The light continued to grow slightly as it neared.
A ghostly shape appeared at the mouth of the hallway and appeared to hover above the ground. The figure was garbed in brilliant white robes.
The cloth seemed to be alive, as it seemed to flow from all around the form as it approached. His mind must be playing tricks upon him, he thought as His eyes slowly closed and exhaustion claimed him.
To be continued…