The knock sounded muffled. Avery wasn’t confident if it was because of the hood of her jacket or the snow that caused it. Her face burned from the piercing wind that blew past. The door swings open, and she has to crane her head up to look at the man behind it. He looked young, but his eyes, as blue as silver, told a different story. His hair was ginger and almost as long as hers; he had it pulled into a bun. They stared at each other for what felt like forever.

“You shouldn’t be here.” he finally says.

“I was hiking and lost the trail,” Avery explains. “Can I come in? The temperature has been dropping.”

The man sighs, “Hiking?” He holds the door open, and Avery doesn't hesitate to step inside. “I need to call the Admiral and report you. Go to the hearth and warm up.”

“Report me!” she asks. “Is this government land or something? I wouldn't have trespassed if I knew where I was!”

“You will not be in any trouble; they will bring you home.” the man says, closing the door.

She walks further into the house and found every wall to have a bookshelf. It looked more like a library than a home. “Is this some research center?” she ventures to ask.

“No.” the man answers almost unkindly. “This is my home; I like books.”

A fire flickers in the middle of the room she finds herself in. A small couch and TV were the only other objects in the room. There were no pictures on the walls or anything which showed this was a home. Stalking over to the fire, she pulled off her gloves and tried to bring back some feeling to her hands. Avery hears the man mumble something, so she turns toward him.

“Pardon?” she asks.

He points to a pile of clothes that we're now on the couch. “These should fit you; change out of your wet clothes. I am going to call the Admiral.”

“Wait!” she calls. He stops and looks at her, “My name is Avery. What is yours?”

The man gives her a sad smile, “You can call me Isaac.”

Then he was gone. Avery listened for his steps to and waited until she could hear him on the phone before quickly pulling off her clothes. It felt strange changing out in the open, but it was better than freezing to death. With dry clothes that fit her almost perfectly, she sat in front of the fire.

Isaac returned soon after knocking in the doorway, not yet looking in. “Are you clothed?” he calls awkwardly.

“I am, and feeling much better. Thank you, Isaac.” Avery answers.

He enters the room, and the fire flickers, “They will be here in an hour,”

“Why did you call the military if this is your home?” Avery asks.

Isaac sits on the couch, looking at her, “Classified, my dear.”

She was entranced by his eyes—silver and as cold as snow. “That is unnerving.”

Isaac hums, “Your government hides a lot from you, I am afraid. Telling you would do no good, I assure you.” His eyes move past her and to the flames in the hearth, “Rest; you have had a long day.”

Avery would like to say every horror story of strange men in the middle of nowhere kept her from getting too comfortable. But the fire was impossibly warm, and Isaac didn't move from where he sat. His eyes were on the flames, watching them as if they were something living to be observed. Sleep took her swiftly without her knowing

A heavy knock on the door woke her. Isaac was up and putting her clothes in a bag.

“Come,” he beckons.

Avery gets to her feet and takes the bag from him. A gentle hand is placed on her back, and they walk to the door. Isaac sighs before opening it. They take a few steps out into a cold that didn't seem to reach them. Then a spotlight was on them. There were soldiers everywhere, all holding a firearm pointed at them. Avery felt the need to run, to grab Isaac’s hand and pull him back inside.

“It's alright; they won't hurt you,” Isaac says quietly.

Avery was about to tell him he was insane until she realized the guns weren't pointed at them. They were all pointed at Isaac. His hand fell away from her back, and she turned to look at him.

“Miss!” a voice yells. She turns back to the army, “Walk to us.”

Isaac takes another step away, and all the firearms shift to follow him. “Go back inside, Wilhelm.” one of them orders.

Avery turns and watches Isaac walk back to his door. One of the soldiers grabs her by the arm and leads her to a vehicle. We were tired of twisting in their grasp to see Isaac, but they pushed her into the car and sped away.