#independent plot

I had been walking for about half a day when the snow finally subsided and grass crunched underfoot, but quickly turned lush and green. the white and dark brown of the previous forest gave way to lush greens and yellows. I inhaled deeply, enjoying the smell of growth with the still cool air. My enjoyment was cut off when my stomach growled. I hadn't realized that I forgot to eat since waking up yesterday morning. I took out one of the dried meats in my pouch and scarfed it down. It was salty, but good and quelled my hunger. Now I was thirsty though.

I walked a small distance before finding a small stream, probably runoff from the snow. Cupping my hands, I scooped the water into my mouth, enjoying how cold and fresh it was. Figuring as how I had no way to transport water with me, I would just walk along the bank until I found something to hold water. 

  It was dark, but oddly enough I was alright with that. Was I falling, or was I floating? I couldn’t tell. I felt myself slipping away as the cool darkness enveloped my consciousness and pulled me in. Why was I here again? I can’t remember. In the distance I hear echoes of screams and loud noises. Those people sound really distressed. I wonder why. The echoes get softer and softer as I embrace the darkness around me until all is quiet and everything fades away.

The first thing I was aware of was the cold around me. My lungs fill as I breathe in the dry, cold air and falling snow. I open my eyes to see tall, dark trees and a grey sky, fluttering snowflakes cascade around me. If I wasn’t so cold I could have stayed there forever. Urging my body to move, I sit up and snow falls off of my chest. I must’ve been here a while.

“Ack!” I wince in pain as a stabbing pain goes through my head. Putting my hand over one eye and part of my head, I slowly stand and notice a chest with torches close by. I walked over, the fresh snow crunching beneath my boots. I open the chest, my joints ache from stiffening against the cold. Inside I find many tools and even a thick hooded cloak. The cloak and the fires from the torches helped to warm me up as I gathered up the various tools in the chest. I was about to leave when I noticed a small piece of paper at the bottom. Picking it up, it had a single word written in very smooth handwriting.

Survive.