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8:44 PM, January 8th

The Horminth's claws dug deep as it flung Suez bodily into the air. The horse hit the side of the cavern wall with a heavy thump. Marco stepped between his friend and the monster, a glowing ball of energy in the snow leopard's paws.

"Just stay there, Suez! I'll use my Ice Shock on it!"

Channeling his mana into the ball of crackling ice, Marco's face was cast in a blue light. The Horminth turned to face its new opponent, letting out a blood-curdling roar, then the earth shook as it pulled itself from the water, charging toward Marco.

Marco dodged its first swipe, then slammed a blast of magic into its side. He was toppled over as the thing thrashed, its tail whipping around, catching his legs. When he'd gotten to his feet, he could see that it had turned around, ready for another charge. He could see that one of its large, clawed arms was hanging limply, a dark patch where his Ice Shock had scored deep into its scaly hide.

He had to think quickly. Though he had weakened it, its next attack could still very well end him. He didn't have enough strength for another Ice Shock, so he went with second best. Powering up an Ice Shield, he braced for its next attack.

Garith took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Spotting the clock next to his lamp, he read, 8:44 PM. It looked like a good time to call it a night. Getting up to stretch his body, numb from sitting in front of his laptop for hours, he shuffled into the kitchen. He caught his reflection in the stainless steel of the refrigerator when he reached for the handle. The somewhat tall, greying sun bear was dressed in a grey house robe and the fuzzy slippers that his close friend, Orville had sent him last Christmas. You look like you could lose a few. He chided himself, noting his soft belly. What are resolutions for, if you don't do anything about it? He remembered last New Year's when they had all made resolutions everyone knew they weren't going to keep. He wondered what Orville was up to at this moment.

The house seemed eery and empty without Orville and Mallo. Mallo was studying Criminology at Whaites College in Massachusetts, and Orville had disappeared again four months ago. Orville being Orville, the mountain lion had probably embarked on another of his wild adventures. Climbing a mountain, or spelunking deep into the earth, things Garith only enjoyed in his imagination.

Garith found a glass and filled it with water then shut off his laptop. Sleep was calling him and he had more writing to do tomorrow. He was currently working on the third book in his series, Callian Lance, and he wanted to finish this one before April. The staircase creaked as he made his way upstairs. Flipping a switch in the hallway, he entered his room. Only forty-six years old and he already felt like an old man. Those youngsters always kept him feeling young with their antics. Slipping under the covers, he pulled the blanket up to his chin and closed his eyes, his mind beginning to wander into the land of dreams.

9:21 PM, January 8th

Icy wind blasted through the thick layers of jacket, parka and ski mask Orville wore, somehow working its way in to invade the small beacon of warmth he had wrapped around himself. The small team was twelve-thousand feet above sea level, huddled in a small pocket in the rock on the side of a mountain. Nestled in their sleeping bags, the four mountain climbers rested from their long journey to reach this point. They were almost at the summit, but a storm had blown up, halting their progress for now. Orville tucked his head back inside his sleeping bag, zipping it shut.

The minutes stretched into hours, with nothing but the sound of howling winds and whooshing snow outside of the small crevice in which the four climbers had found shelter. Finally, the winds died down and a heavy silence engulfed them, drawing them into sleep.

7:40 AM, January 9th

Orville woke to the smell of coffee and murmured chatter. Crawling out of his sleeping bag, he was met with a breathtaking sight. The storm had passed with the night, and now the morning sun shone brightly, causing the snow-covered mountainside to glitter like the facets of a diamond. The mountain range spread before them, peaks appearing and disappearing in the heavy white clouds, which were rising slowly, like a great behemoth rising from its slumbers. The sky was a light blue-grey and the mountains took varied shades of blues, greys and purples. The small ledge the four climbers inhabited led to a very steep dropoff, which they had scaled the night before. Errol, a large lynx, was brewing coffee in his small, portable coffee maker, which was plugged into a small solar-panel power source. Helaine sat beside him, square-rimmed glasses perched on her long, scaled snout. The lizard was trying to get Errol into a selfie.

"Come on, don't you want to document this moment? twelve-thousand feet up and we're enjoying coffee, with a priceless view. You couldn't pay for a view like this at Nesser's Pointe." she spoke of the tourist resort that their other friend, Nowell, the otter, had stayed behind at.

"Nah. I just want my coffee." Errol grumbled, putting a paw up in front of his face.

"Fine." huffed Helaine, a tree monitor lizard. "I've got better subjects than you." she looked over at Orville, who had joined them at the smell of coffee.

"Hah. Maybe." he said, looking around and sitting next to Helaine. "Where's Ron?"

"That porcupine's probably still asleep."

"Huh. Even later riser than me?" Orville chuckled, looking at the lump of sleeping bag behind him, which he had overlooked. He grinned and leaned against Helaine, throwing an arm around her shoulder as she took a couple photos, then grabbed his thermos from his pack, accepting the fresh coffee Errol offered.

"Thanks. It's really a beautiful view from up here."

Helaine was preoccupied with taking some pictures of the mountains before them. There was a grunt as Ron poked his head out of his sleeping back. "Can you tell the sun to go back down?" he groaned. "I'm not ready for more climbing yet. Is breakfast ready?"

"You missed it!" Errol laughed, turning back to make a face at Ron.

"What? And you didn't save any for me?" Ron got up quickly at that and came over to where the others where, hunting around in Errol's backpack. "You liar! The bacon's still in here, and the powdered eggs."

"Haha. Well, I didn't want to make them while you were still snoring away the day."

"No worries. I'll make breakfast." Ron said. The truth was, Errol was probably waiting for a more capable cook to take over the job. Errol had been known to burn salad.

Orville stretched and started getting things ready for their next climb while Ron pulled out the electric skillet and started fixing breakfast. Not a cloud in the sky. It should be a great day for a climb, Orville thought as he viewed the cloudless sky, the sun glowing warmly on the mountains.

Monday, 7:40 AM, January 9th

"Hey, Taz, didn't you have class at 7:45?"

Mallo's roommate, an armadillo by the name of Taz Myers, sat bolt upright, then jumped out of bed. Scurrying frantically around the room, muttering to himself. Mallo waved at him, then exited their dorm. Walking down the hall, he exited the building through glass doors. He could take a leisurely stroll toward his classroom, since his Criminal Psychology class wasn't until 8:15. The campus had beautiful stonework and plants planted here and there, tastefully offsetting the cobblestone walks and ornate black fences. The carefully trimmed trees were bare of leaves, except for the evergreens. Several crows watched the flying squirrel as he walked beneath them. Many of the buildings had undergone renovation, and most were completely updated, with a newer look and fresh paint. Walking down the covered walk, one paw holding onto his shoulder bag, the other in his jacket pocket, Mallo took in the scene around him.

The grounds and walks were populated with groups of students, scattered here and there like clumps of flowers dotting a plain. Some were studying together or taking in the morning. Other students milled about, leaned against pillars chatting, or rushed here and there, heading to their classes. Mallo made his way to the sidewalk and headed for a small café called Delvin's for a Berliner and a cappuccino. He saw the dark-green painted door, the pillars on either side decorated with ivy and hanging plants. The lattice windows had flower boxes underneath them, though empty this time of year, they would be festooned with hyacinths and sweet pea. The door opened and a lemur stepped out, then held the door for Mallo to enter.

"Thanks." he said, feeling the warmth of the interior of the cozy café. The room was mostly populated by students, but a few locals also sat at tables or stood in line at the register. Rubbing his paws, Mallo looked around the room for an empty table. He spotted one in a corner and as he walked toward it, he heard.

"Hey, Mallo!"

Turning at the familiar voice, he saw Rhonna Chang, a short loris, carrying several coffees on a tray in her paws.

"Want to sit with us?" she said, motioning toward a table where two other students sat.

"Oh. Hey, Rhonna. Sure, I'll join you." he smiled.

Rhonna was known for her cheerful nature and outgoing attitude. She had friends all over the campus, and was usually found with one group or another, chattering away. She was also involved in several animalitarian groups, as well as the conservation effort.

Seating himself next to a lean hyena in a MSU hoodie, Mallo greeted the other two at the table.

"I'm Mallo Eschenbach."

The hyena waved. "Ricky Garret."

Pushing his large, round glasses further upon his nose with a finger, the wallaby seated across from Mallo greeted. "Irvin Baldarelli."

Rhonna set down the tray and handed Ricky and Irvin their coffees, then sat down herself.

"So, Mallo. I recognised you. You're Taz' roommate. What's your major?" Rhonna said, taking a sip from her salted caramel frappe.

"Criminology." he replied.

"Neat. Are you going to be a CSI? I'm studying Anthropology. Ricky's got a basketball scholarship and Irvin's studying medicine."

"Nice to meet you all. I'll be right back. I'm just going to order." he said, getting up.

"Aight." said Ricky, while Rhonna waved.

Leaving the three of them to their chatting, Mallo joined the line in front of the register. Finally, his turn came. He looked at the freshly baked pastries through the glass, inhaling the delicious aromas from the kitchens.

"And what'll you have?" said the yak behind the counter, looking rather tired.

"One Berliner and one medium cappuccino, please." he answered, pulling out his card. He swiped the card and took his receipt, then stepped aside, letting the next customer take his place. He leaned against the counter and checked his phone notifications while he waited for his order to be ready. He had several texts, which his eyes briefly scanned over. He made a note to reply to them later. He scrolled through the school news. There was going to be a game that weekend and he could see Ricky's smiling face in a picture with several teammates. That could be a conversation piece.

"112!"

He heard the number printed on his receipt called and turned back toward the counter to collect his cappuccino and treat. Both smelled wonderful and he hurried back to the table where the others sat.