Warnings: Blood

     ~Mitch's P.O.V.~

Waking up after a freezing nights sleep I'm not pleased to see snow is falling heavily just outside the tree line. The weather is nipping at my skin and I'm beginning to not feel the tips of my fingers or nose. Looks like my Canadian-cold-immunity is starting to disappear...

I sit there for a few minutes, gazing out at the layers upon layers of falling snowflakes. I hold out my palm, inspecting a tiny little snowflake that gently floats onto it. Holding it up close to my face my eyes follow the small intricate designs until it melts a few seconds later. Dusting the snow from my clothing and hair I turn around to examine Jerome who is facing my way. His face is twisted into that of discomfort as he clutches his injured arm unconsciously in his sleep.

"I'm such an idiot." I mumble to myself, picking up the snow frosted journal beside me.

Jerome shifts and his eyelids part to show chocolate brown eyes taking in their surroundings before resting on me.

"Ready for another day?" He questions sleepily, voice husky in his awakening state.
"Yeah, we'll leave when your ready." I murmur, tearing my eyes guiltily away.

I can sense the frown on Jerome's face as he moves into a sitting position beside me.

"Are you still sorry about last night, Mitch? I told you I forgive you, and I mean it y'know. We all make mistakes."

I sigh nodding, standing up and staying silent to signal I want to drop the subject. Jerome sighs as well, picking up his axe before we step into the light flurry. Without having to exchange thoughts we come to a conclusion to continue forward instead of heading back into the surrounding thrush. Even though the snow isn't exactly helping our situation at least in the open we can get a sense of our surroundings and hopefully spot another living being. Preferably Vikk, Lachlan, Preston, or Rob.

With our stomachs still partially full with extra berries for emergencies food is partially taken care of. Water isn't too hard to come by either seeing as we can simply melt snow and drink it, although not particularly sanitary. We battle through the snow for hours on end and it's only when we sit down for a breather Jerome gasps, repeatedly tapping my shoulder.

"Look Mitch, I can't believe we didn't see this, even through the snow!"

I follow the direction Jerome is facing and directly to our right, the North, is a gaping ravine. It's not fifty yards away and it seems to stretch on for miles in both directions. It's about three and a half large school buses before you can reach the other side. Jerome and I exchange curious glances before cautiously creeping to the edge of the gouge, peeking over the edge to see how deep it runs. From our standpoint you can't even make our the bottom. It looks like it drops into an infinite black abyss. I clear some of the snow behind me and pick out a very large rock lodged beneath the dirt. Hauling it to the edge Jerome watches as I chuck it over. We stay silent, watching it tumble into the darkness.

Thump.

Seven seconds later and a muffled noise echoes from deep within the ravine.

"Dang that's really far down. Definitely a fatal drop." I comment, moving away from the edge.
"Yeah for sure, there is no way we are getting across that."

We scramble away from the abyss, making sure to keep it in sight but not venture within ten meters of it ever again. The ragged cliff faces tear through the ground and Jerome and I use it as a guide to lead us in a straight line. And low and behold an hour or so later, just as we stop to check the suns position, Jerome gasps for a second time. He steps back in bewilderment, clutching my shoulder.

"Mitch. Look. Is that..."

     I whip around and squint to scan the area directly opposite us of the ravine. There two figures are slowly trudging through the snow. One is about a head taller then the one following him. Although I can't make out their facial features the height difference and golden waves of hair on the leading males head leaves no mistake in my mind who we are seeing. And to accompany that the blue schemed clothing of the shorter one, stupidly wearing a t-shirt in the weather conditions.

     "It's Lachlan and Vikk!" I shout excitedly to Jerome jumping up and down in excitement.

     "HEY VIKK, LACHLAN!" Jerome bellows, waving his good arm in the air.

     The two stop in their tracks, glancing around in confusion at the source of the voices.

      "THIS WAY GUYS, WE'RE OVER HERE!" I shout, waving my arms wildly along with Jerome.

     They turn towards us and Lachlan takes a step forwards, holding his hand over his eyes to shield them from the snow. Lachlan turns to Vikk and points in our direction, waving back.

     "Mitch? Jerome? Is that you?" Lachlan's  faint voice calls from over the wind.
     "YEAH!" We shout in unison, dashing to the edge of the ravine.

     The duo also sprint towards the edge and we're left on opposite sides, smiling giddily at the discovery of Lachlan and Vikk and vice versa.

     "I'm so glad we found you guys! We thought we'd never see anyone every again!" Vikk shouts from his side.
     "Same here!" Jerome replies, cupping his hands over his mouth to amplify his voice.

      All four of us stay silent for the next minute, un sure of what to say. Then Lachlan whispers something to Vikk and his face immediately drops.

     "Just one itty bitty problem guys... Or large for that matter... If you haven't noticed we are currently on opposite sides of a flipping huge ravine and I don't see and way of getting across." Lachlan says, stating the obvious.

      Jerome and I frown, helplessly gazing at the pair across from us who are reflecting our expressions. But then a lightbulb clicks over my head and a smile breaks out on my face as I gaze off father West.

     "Guys I have a plan!" I shout excitedly, gaining three equally confused looks.
     "You see that huge mountain off in the distance?" I call, pointing West to the outline of a rugged mountain barely visible through the thick snow, "Let's all head in that direction and meet at the peak! Even if this ravine passes through it we can climb over it and meet up!"

     Everyone then nods happily, examining the target of choice. But then Vikk scratches his head in thought.

     "I have no problem with that but what about Preston and Rob? We still don't know which way they went and we have no way to relay the plan!" He calls, causing Lachlan and Jerome to nod slowly in agreement. But my smile only gets wider.

     "When Jerome and I first came across the field where we were separated we saw a small trail of blood leading in this direction, most likely from the wound on Robs ankle. Therefore we can assume they are also headed this way. Not only that but yesterday I found a blank journal in the snow. So what I propose we do is I'll shoot some pages over with my bow and we can both write 'go to mountain peak' on the pages with dirt or something. Then we can attach the pages to arrows and fire them in random directions so hopefully Preston and Rob stumble across one. We can even put our initials on them so they know it's us!" I explain, making hand motions to empathize on the plan.

     Jerome glances at me, proudness swimming in his eyes at my plan. Vikk and Lachlan smile, nodding along.

     "That's great! I managed to pick up a bow from a skelly last night along with a few arrows so we can hold up our part! Send some of that paper over!" Vikk reports, the two stepping away from the edge.

     I rip out half of the pages from the journal and stab and arrow through the tops of every single one. I then load the arrow into my bow and launch it across the ravine to land beside Vikk and Lachlan. Then we all get to work, digging out moist dirt and writing the message as clear as we can. Then one at a time I attach the notes onto an arrow and proceed to shoot it in a random direction, covering as many paths as I can before the pages run out. I glance at Vikk as I fire the last page. He is just finishing up his last few as well, letting the arrows sail over the canopy.

     "One more thing guys, a gift from us!" Jerome calls out, handing me the small pouch of blueberries he had collected.

     I nod in approval, securely attaching the leaves to an arrow before plunging it into the snow in front of Lachlan. He gently unfolds the crinkly leaves, beaming at the food inside.

     "Awe thanks guys, we really needed that! We haven't had much luck with food yet. We're gonna go now, best of luck!" Lachlan calls out, the pair waving a goodbye before starting off again.

     "Bye guys!" I shout after them as their figures disappear into the snow.
     "Great thinking Mitch, that journal did come in use after all."

     I smile sheepishly as we glance back into the sky, noticing the sun is about to set. Jerome's face turn serious again and he looks around.

     "We need to get out of the open before mobs start spawning." He muses, eyes flickering down to his wound.

      I nod as the last rays of sunlight start to vanish, welcoming spiders into the night. We start dashing back to the trees and are about to make it to safety. Buts it's never that easy is it? Right as we are about to shelter behind a bush a dark figure struts out of the trees, a dirt block in hand. Enderman.

     "Jerome, don't look at its eyes!" I shout. But it's too late.

     Not realizing his opponent Jerome eyes it down, causing it to shake and shriek, mouth splitting open to reveal a set of sharp black teeth. It's purple eyes spark to life, glowing ominously in the darkness and Jerome doesn't have time to react before its dropped its block and picked him up by his neck. Jerome yelps, face scrunched up and he is dangled in the strong grip of the Enderman with only one good arm to defend himself. I shout, charging at the beast and retrieving Jerome's dropped axe, knowing an arrow wouldn't hit the Enderman before it teleports away. I swing the diamond axe in a wide arc, successfully slashing into the side of the Enderman and causing it to screech and teleport a few blocks away in a puff of purple particles.

     Purple ooze drips from the gash in its side and as its about to charge at me Jerome snarls, fur prickling and barring his razor sharp teeth. Then I watch and amazement as he actually sinks his teeth into the arm of the Enderman causing it to drop him in pain and step back a few blocks. Afraid of accidentally cutting Jerome, I stand close by with the axe wielded as Jerome in a flash of fury tackles the mob to the ground and begins to wrestle with it. He kicks at it and rakes his sharp black claws through its chest, keeping his injured arm close to him the whole time. And after the Enderman manages to rip Jerome off of itself and throw his a few meters away it's already gashed and scratched in multiple places, dull purple blood spilling onto the ground.

     Jerome scrambles backwards, catching my eye and nodding towards the Enderman. Just as its about to pick it self off the ground and lunge at Jerome I rush up behind it, driving the axe through its dark head and causing it to fall limp to the ground. It then disintegrates into nothing, leaving no evidence of its presence. Besides the blood of course.

     Jerome panting heavily flops down onto the ground int exhaustion, a disgusted look on his face as he attempts to rid his fur and mouth of the purple ooze. The groan of a zombie rings out in the night and we move to a concealed spot behind a bush where Jerome continues to gag up purple liquid and wipe it from his clothing. I politely wait for him to finish before shaking my head in admiration.

     "That was epic! You freaking wrestled with an Enderman with a hurt arm! Not only that but you actually bit it!"
     "Yeah well," Jerome groans, sticking out his tongue, "I regret it now! That thing tastes like cooked fish. Nasty Mitch, just nasty!"

     We then proceed to break out into uncontrollable laughter, laughing for what seems like forever before we finally drift into peaceful sleep.

     I wonder what tomorrow will bring for us.

~~~