About a day into the journey, I arrived in the pale coldness, that is, the wonderland of the north. While Bucky is galloping in the wintry forest, I gaze upon the deadwood trees, shivering in the bitter wind, with their naked branches adorned with heaping piles of glittery, twinkling snow. There were clusters of twigs gnarled and twisted, extending like the very hands of old man winter, ready to catch the soft falling flakes, one by one. Against the dark mossy trunk, the brilliant white drifts rise in soft curves and fall again to the hidden ground. The rabbits keep hopping around in the crystal white, untouched layer of snow, leaving small prints in their trail. The bodies of water, covered in a thick layer of ice, including the occasional small puddle.
I feel alone out here in this frozen wasteland… for no man with half a brain would ever venture out in these parts, unless they were northern folk. Northern folks are more than likely acclimated to these harsh conditions because it is home to them… it is all that they know.
The wildlife out here mostly consists of foxes, deer, bears, rabbits, and wolves, along with ravens and crows. The bears here are lazy, as they only come out for the occasional snout dive for fish in the frozen creeks and rivers. Other than that, they tend to sleep in their warm dens or nests with their cubs.
If I am to make camp, the only thing I need to worry about is the wolves, who travel in packs and are ravenous for their next meal. I have heard a few howls since I have been here. So, if I am to camp, it will have to be in the right spot, so I don't run into any unnecessary trouble with a pack.
As I got deeper and deeper in the forest, it got darker and darker. I need to find somewhere to rest before nightfall. I was starting to shiver from the strength of the freezing temperature, as my teeth began to clatter against each other. My legs were numb, and so were my feet, as well.
Fire… I need fire. So, focused intently, I spotted the perfect spot. It was by a big and solid boulder, surrounded by brush and bush, with a tall tree next to it. I figured, if I started the fire near the big rock, the heat would eventually travel over to the foundation of the boulder. So, it could warm up like a furnace, giving off heat to keep me warm while I sleep.
I grabbed a bunch of dried twigs and a brush to start the fire with my flint and steel. I was still shaking, trying to find the strength to light this damn thing… I couldn't seem to spark it up, but I kept trying, time after time, and eventually I finally got it, as it went up in flames. I kept applying twig after twig, log after log, until it was a strong fire.
I started to thaw, little by little, as I sat there looking into the mesmerizing flames. Luckily, I had brought some bread with me to fill my hunger, but tomorrow, I would need to hunt for my next meal.
I sat there, in the lonely night, wondering what Celest was doing right now… I missed her, even though it had only been a day since we last saw each other. I wondered if she missed me already, as well. After a while of thinking, I lay down against the warm rock, as I peacefully fell asleep to the quiet, calm, crackling fire.