Warnings: None (for once)

     ~Lachlan's P.O.V.~

A new day greeting us decides to bring along the gift of snow. Heavy, wet, packing snow. I groan as I sit up, stretching to try and relive some of the tension in my muscles. Outside the snow is falling in heavy white sheets, dousing the landscape in an extra few inches of white. The rock we had slept under provided much needed shelter... But of course some snow had found away in and is now nestled on top of my head.

I frown shaking my head wildly to rid it of snow and then proceed to comb my hair with my fingers. Gotta look your best... Even in a situation like this. I stretch, pulling myself to my feet. To my left I pick up a stifled yawn, signalling Vikk is awake. I silently look on as he dusts off his clothing, standing up to meet me.

"So I reckon we're going right, yeah? Like towards the West?"
"Sure... And who knows. This area seems like it keeps open for a long time. Maybe we'll see someone else." Vikk states, pulling his jacket closer around him.
"I hope everyone's okay..." I mumble, leading us out into the snow.

     Within a few minutes my hair is once again frosted in snow, causing me to have to constantly brush it off. I shiver, traces of cold seeping through my hoodie. If I'm feeling the cold in a thick hoodie like this I can't imagine what Vikk must have felt like yesterday... I ponder in my mind, stealing a glance at Vikk over my shoulder.

For the past few days our main source of water is basically melting snow in our hands and slurping it up. But as for food, we haven't been lucky at all. Not even an abandoned berry. My stomach growls to express its agreement with my thoughts and I clutch it, pausing my steady march. Vikk stops beside me, cocking his head in confusion.

"We should look for a bit of food... I'm starting to get mighty hungry."
"Yeah that's true... Hmm..."

Vikk and I both spin in a full circle, scanning our surroundings for anything to eat. And then through the snow my eye catches the slightest of movements. I snap around and squint into the field. About sixty meters away is a large snow hare, lopping around in the snow. Vikk also sees it and we glance at each other before Vikk begins dashing towards the rabbit. For a brief moment a gap in the thickly falling snow appears, clearing my vision. I gasp, looking on as Vikk runs straight towards a gaping ravine. He can't see it because of the snow!

"Vikk WAIT!" I shout, successfully halting him only a few meters from the edge.

He skids to a halt, looking back at me in frustration as the hare dashes away. I point, signalling for him to turn around. He does just that, jerking backwards as he realizes how close he is to the edge. I run up beside him resting a hand on his shoulder.

"You nearly fell down there Vikk... You're lucky I saw that."
"Yeah... You saved my life just then. Thanks." Vikk says, flashing me a look of gratitude, "It's just a shame the hare got away..."
"As if we could get to it anyways." I point out, motioning to the ravine in front of us.

We glance farther West noticing it stretches on for miles. I take a few cautious steps forward to gaze into its centre, trying to decipher its depth. But alas I can't even see the bottom. And it's too wide to jump... Dang...

"Nah I'm out boys. Let's use it to guide us but I ain't going anywhere near it again. I don't really feel like falling to my death today." I state, back-pedalling away with Vikk right behind me.

~~~

"Ugh how long does this abyss go for?" Vikk wonders aloud, brushing the accumulated snow from his hair.

I'm about to express my own thoughts when what seems like a faint voice echoes across the wind. HEY VIKK, LACHLAN! It calls. Vikk hears it too and we both glance around confused. From what we can tell it might have been our imaginations. But this time it's definitely real.

"THIS WAY GUYS, WE'RE OVER HERE!"

  We turn towards the source of the voices seeing two blurry figures waving their arms. I take a step forward, using my hand to block the snow. Could it be... It is!

"Vikk look! It's Mitch and Jerome!" I exclaim happily, pointing towards them before waving back.
"Finally!"
"Mitch? Jerome? Is that you?" I call, just to confirm my thoughts.
"YEAH!" They shout in unison, dashing to the edge of the ravine.

Vikk and I nod to each other, following suit and running to the edge of the ravine. We can now make our their features, both faces bearing wide smiles.

     "I'm so glad we found you guys! We thought we'd never see anyone every again!" Vikk shouts from our 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. But then reality sets in on me and I frown, leaning over to Vikk.

"Vikk what are we gonna do? There is no way we are getting across this ravine. Not without someone falling." I whisper, causing his smile to turn upside down.
"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." I call out, glancing at the ravine.

      Mitch and Jerome frown, helplessly gazing at us, reflecting our expressions. But then Mitch perks up, gazing West.

"Guys I have a plan!" He shouts excitedly, gaining three equally confused looks.
     "You see that huge mountain off in the distance?" He continues, pointing West to the outline of a rugged mountain barley 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!"

     We all then nod 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 myself and Jerome to nod slowly in agreement. But Mitch's 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 West' 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!" He explains, making hand motions to empathize on the plan.

     Jerome glances at Mitch, seemingly approving of the plan. Vikk and I 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, stepping away from the edge with me.

     Mitch then proceeds to rip out half the pages and stab and arrow through the tops of every single one. Next he loads the arrow on his bow, letting it sail over the ravine and landing directly beside us. Then we all get to work, digging out moist dirt and writing the message as clear as we can. Then one at a time Vikk attaches the notes onto an arrow and proceeds to shoot it in a random direction, covering as many paths as he can before the pages run out. I glance at Mitch as Vikk fires 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 Mitch a small leaf pouch.

     I watch in confusion as he carefully attaches the package to an arrow and aims for the ground in front of me, the arrow landing there a second later. I gently unfold the crinkly leaves, beaming at the food inside. BlueBerries! Vikk also takes in the contents of the package, instantly perking up.

     "Awe thanks guys, we really needed that! We haven't had much luck with food yet. We're gonna go now, best of luck!" I call out, the waving a goodbye before starting off again along with Vikk.
"Bye guys!" Mitch shouts after us as we drift out of vision.
"Yessss we actually found someone!" Vikk exclaims happily as we trudge on.
"I know right? Now we just have to pray Preston and Rob get the message."

Vikk nods his agreement, all the while eyeing down the small pouch of blueberries clutched firmly in my hand. I chuckle, knowing all too well that'd he'd gladly eat them right here and now. Which I guess isn't actually such a bad idea... Gotta get some calories in.

"Hey Vikk you wanna eat these berries now?" I question, even though I already know the answer.

He nods eagerly, and we both find a slightly damp log to sit on. I carefully unwrap the berries, paying close attention so I don't drop any. Then as best as I can I split the pile into two, leaving about a handful and a half for each of us. Without another word we begin stuffing the blueberries into our mouths. It isn't much but it'll do for now.

It takes us just over a minute to completely devour the plump berries. The only remnants a bit of spilt juice splattered on the snow. A nice change from red for once.

"Ugh I wish there was more..." Vikk groans, licking off his fingers.
"One can only dream Vikk. I mean if worse comes to worse we could always chew on some bark... I hear it has good nutrients." I ramble, earning a disgusted expression from Vikk.

I left out a small hearty laugh before standing up and starting off again, this time with a place to aim for. I can hear the snow crunch under Vikk's feet as he trails after me, not wanting to be left behind. And until nightfall all is silent, leaving us once again to our own thoughts.

~~~