the last ember (8)

He knew he had to act. “Jake, grab more wood!” Sam shouted. “We need to make the fire bigger!” Jake darted into the snow, the cold biting at his skin as he hastily gathered fallen branches, the urgency fueling his movements.

Sam held his ground, swinging the branch at the wolf whenever it drew too close, the shadows dancing in the light of their fire. Finally, with a surge of adrenaline, Jake returned, dropping the branches by the flames.

Together, they piled the wood high, coaxing the fire into a roaring blaze. The flames reached higher, illuminating the clearing and sending sparks into the night sky.