« Sig »
The girl from the Ugly Duckling had apparently been following us for a few days. This snowstorm must have really messed with my awareness skills. I saw Zack look over at my slightly confused about what we should do.
“You can join, but you will need to keep up. We’re not going to come back for you if you get left behind. I told her before I turned slightly pulling out the paper Zack gave me with the material list.
I heard Zack start to get off the ground as I turned and took a few steps.
“No, that was not rude, it was the truth.” I said turning my head towards the right slightly. “Oh don’t shack you head at me missy. We have to keep pushing forward if we are ever going to get out of this game.” I replied taking a few steps forward towards a tree.
“Alright then lets get going shall we then. And I promise honey, you know I will do my best to protect them and keep them safe like my fellow brothers.” I replied as I smiled and turned around to rejoin Zack and the girl.
Before I could say anything Zack walked up.
Cracking my neck I looked down at him as he finished explain the next item we needed. “That does sounds a bit difficult” I replied before starting back towards the main path to get going.
I hear Zack and the girl still talking for a bit as I walked off but soon after I heard their foot steps in the snow.
The walk towards the portal and border of area 2 and 3 was relatively quiet for us but there were some casual conversations. We passed thru a small outpost town a few miles before the edge. There was not much in the outpost other then a single general store, a few stores, and a couple houses.
“Zack, this is the last safe point before the mixing area between area 2 and 3. Since the weather is calm, I will venture forward on my own to only risk my life.” I said to them only pausing for a moment before continuing for the far exist.
“I will be fine you know that.” I mentioned looking down to my left as started walking again.
Before I could get to the exist, I felt a snowball hit the shield on my back. “You’re stupid. If you die out there, who will I give the potion to then.” I hear him yell with a worried tone.
I grab my helmet and placed it under my left arm as I turned around to face him. “This potion wasn’t just for me kid, it was for everyone to get out of here. And no need to worry about me, its just like another day outside the compound fence.” I replied as I grabbed my helmet starting to put it on.
“You can’t get rid of this fighter that easy.” I finished as I turned and left town.
The walk from the outpost was quiet and it was a little bothering. I had started to get use to having Zack after the last few days, even if he was always asking questions. It was actually nice to have some to actually work with. Even if I had not come to fully trust him let, his company was appreciative.
I believe I found the area where we had to collect the fresh snow, and sadly, Zack was right; this was going to be difficult. The snow covered tundra started to receded gradually with pines trees giving way to other types.
“Well honey this looks like a good spot to relax and wait for the weather to turn for the worst.” I said out load as I sat down under a pine tree. After a slight pause I continued “Yes, I know. The waiting game is so much fun. But we needs this to explore under the water of area 5. So just sit and relax here with your father.” I stated patting the ground next to me. I just chuckled to myself before pulling out my knife and spinning it between my fingers.
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*HOWLLLLLL*
Echoed through the air and I snapped my head up not realizing I dozed off. “Shit!” I replied as I woke up putting my head on a swivel checking my surroundings. I quickly realized that it started snowing because I was covered up to the middle of my torso. Not wanting to sit and figure it out, I stood up pulling out my shield and axe. As I started to calm down and determine the situation, the snow and cold night on my body was beginning to be realized. “We need to go young lady. Come on.” I stated as I pointed towards the outpost direction.
I slowly started walking towards the outpost barely visible in the distance watching the area as I went. Breathing and footsteps could be heard as I made my way. Ever now and then I could see the eyes of Iceines as they would dart around.
It was still snowing and then it hit me. “I need to go back and go farther to get that fresh snow.” I mentioned to myself. If I don’t go now, there is no telling when the next snowstorm will hit this part of the area. So with that I turned around and progressed farther away from the outpost.
I will be honest, it was a bit unnerving to be trudging through the deep snow with the sound of Iceines around me. I was ready, but the unknowing of when or if they would attack was enough.
After about thirty minutes of walking I didn’t realize that the ground had started to become soft and wet. I found a clearing among some of the tall pines and saw small snowflakes falling. Must have been in the right place because there was no snow on the ground even with it snowing.
“Better hurry before the snow stop.” I stated out load. I quickly put my shield and axe away before reaching for a large vial in the small pouch on my belt. I wandered around like I was a kid again trying to catch snowflakes in my mouth. My mom always got a chuckle out of me doing so since I would trip in the snow.
It took a while trying to catch the small flakes into the vials in the dark but eventually I was able to fill after I had enough enjoyment of eating the falling snow. The three vials could be heard gently tapping together as I walked.
“Now back to the others.” I said before turning and heading back to the outpost. The snowstorm got a little heavier as I progressed back into the cold of area 2. But thankfully the Iceines that seemed to be stalking me had moved on. But the cold I still had to fight off on this long night walk.
It was like midnight or closer to one in the morning by the time I made it back to the outpost. I noticed a small light on in one of the house windows. “Must be the signal for us for where they are at. I said to my left as I motioned towards the door.
An older lady answered the door and informed me that Zack and Kisha were indeed upstairs in their guest bedroom. I quietly tried to enter the room but armor made it hard for that.
Opening the door I was surprised to see the image at hand. “Zack why are you in bed cuddling Kisha?” I asked quietly but all confused as I turned to close the door.
“I’m not cuddling, she fell asleep on me.” Zack quickly replied in a sort of angry whisper.
I removed my helmet and walked over to the table in the room. “You look like you tried so hard to resist.” I mentioned with slight smile on my face as I placed my helmet down.
“Please don’t make this harder then what is already is. She started using plants to pin me down on the couch.” He stated as his ear drooped remember the apparently bad image for himself.
I just shook my head. “I don’t want to know what you too were up to while I was gone. I’m going to go take a shower since I am cold from the storm.” I replied as I turned towards the bathroom.
Behind me all I heard was Zack studdering to explain as I walked away.
I took a quick shower and when I returned, Zack had apparently fallen asleep, still in the bed with Kisha. I walked over and made a small area to sleep by the window before turning off the light.
My armor jingled a little bit as I laid down resting my head and not long I was drifting off to sleep starting at the stars that were beginning to merge.
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Used:
Sig
Zack
Kisha
Outpost old lady
