Nearing Subzero

Summary

Julian and his companion, Duncan, are struggling with their newly purchased sled dogs on a trail, with the dogs barking incessantly and the men facing the dropping temperature and their own inexperience.

Abstract

In the short story "Nearing Subzero," Julian and Duncan embark on a trail with their recently acquired sled dogs, expecting them to be well-trained hikers. However, the dogs' constant barking at the trees and their inability to adapt quickly to their new owners and the trail environment creates a challenging situation. Julian had envisioned a picturesque holiday-themed photo opportunity with the dogs pulling a sled, but the reality is far from his expectations. As the temperature plummets and the men grow increasingly overwhelmed, they encounter an unexpected sight in the woods, hinting at a continuation of their adventure.

Opinions

The man in the red jacket expresses frustration and disbelief at the dogs' behavior, questioning Julian's claim about their training.
Julian seems to be in denial about the dogs' readiness, deflecting criticism by emphasizing their recent purchase and the need for acclimatization.
Duncan is portrayed as impatient and critical, highlighting the dogs' wild behavior and the men's lack of preparedness for the situation.
The narrative suggests a sense of irony and naivety in Julian's business idea, which seems to be based more on holiday sentiment than practicality.
The story ends on a cliffhanger, implying that the characters are about to face something significant, which could potentially change the course of their journey.

A short story

Photo by Robert Tjalondo on Unsplash

“If these dogs ever stop barking at the trees, we might be able to get back in town before dark…” The man shivered in his red jacket and sighed loudly, “I thought you said they were trained hikers?”

Julian let out a scoff in response, “Yeah man, I bought them two days ago. The guy I bought them from said they are sled dogs but they need to get used to having new owners and these trails.” He proceeded to pull his scarf over his face as if that was supposed to stop the conversation from continuing.

This was Julian’s first time on the trail with the dogs as well. He thought the idea of sled dogs meant he could get them used to one trail, decorate it with holiday decorations and then sell pictures of the dogs pulling a tiny sled on the trail. In his mind, this was a brilliant idea for the upcoming holiday season. He even thought to buy a little Santa Claus with a sack of toys to put in the sled, just for the photos.

They were on the trail for barely two hours and everyone was already overwhelmed. Duncan and the dogs barked incessantly. Julian void of logical thought. The temperature outside continued to drop every hour.

“Look at ’em — barking at the leaves! For crying out loud, they’re acting like wild animals!” Duncan twiddled his thumbs, “Wait, Julian, there’s something big coming out of the woods up there — look!”

Julian looked up and froze.

To be continued…

Thank you for reading! ❤