Anika sat bewildered on the dusty ground. Bewildered, but scared. From what she could see though the darkness of night, a great hole lay ahead. A hole... Leading into emptiness. Cold, freezing cold winds swirled around Anika and swept her hair out behind her. With all her strength she pulled herself up from the ground and clutched onto a nearby tree for support. Realization poured down on her. With a sharp intake of breath, Anika whispered, "The cave."

Small bits and pieces of her dream filled her mind with fear. She remembered the girl, a tiger, a spear and a scream. Everything else was like a past memory. Faded, indistinct. Anika tried to reach out and grab back the dream, to find the missing pieces, and yet she shied away from it. She wanted the truth. But how to find it?

Frozen fingers clutched her spear and frozen toes carried her forward to the mouth of the cave. Last time she did this... Anika shivered, but not from the cold. Death awaited her inside the cave, of that she was sure, but the truth lured her in. Even if she backed away now, she could never live her life as she should. The truth. It was in the cave. That, Anika felt in her almost frozen bones.

Her shoes clicked on the rock hard floor of the cave, echoing gloomily. A candle was held out in front of her and spread light not even a meter in front of her. Her spear hung by her side. Anika just hoped she wouldn't have to use it.

Nothing stirred in the cave. It was deathly silent, yet her footsteps and breathing were deafening. Anika wrapped her arms around her body, trying to keep herself warm, but failing. Her eyes darted around in fright, but we're just met by deep blackness.

About half an hour in, Anika crashed into a solid wall, rocky and rough. She stumbled to the floor and cried out in alarm. Her forehead ached and blood filled her mouth. The warmth of the candle vanished, and Anika felt around on the cold floor to find it. Grasping the waxy candle and wiping blood off her lip, Anika stretched her arms out wide in front of her and felt her way across the cave.

A few minutes later, with her arms still stretched out, Anika turned another corner. For another hour, she kept twisting and turning, winding her way deeper into the cave, at a slight descent. Further and further underground she went, yet it became colder and colder with every step.

Anika was sure that the tip of her nose was frozen. Without sight or smell, sound was the only thing to go by. Yet everything was still silent. Silent until a spear dropped to the ground with a clatter. Silent until a frightened gasp. Silent until a low growl.