When the first frost of the year comes, Mary tells Crabbe that it is time to make plans for his return to civilization. He tells Mary that he loves her and wants to stay with her, but she tells him this is impossible. She also refuses to return with him to civilization. She tells him that she loves him, but Crabbe understands that her love is only platonic, not romantic. Two days later, they set out on their last trek together, a raid on a nearby, deserted compound that has a kitchen shack with food stores Mary needs to survive the winter. Their plan is that Crabbe will leave for town from there. When they arrive at the compound, however, they discover that someone is there.

The raid on the compound proves to be a disaster from beginning to end. When they arrive at the compound Mary and Crabbe see four drunk, raucous men. Crabbe and Mary split up, with Crabbe staying behind with their packs and Mary heading to the kitchen shack to get the food stores. Unfortunately, Mary is captured by the men when she is discovered by a dog, and they drag her into their cabin.

After a few minutes of shock, Crabbe comes up with a plan and springs into action.