Inches of Snow Grains of Sand (G/T Story)

Cowering in the Snow

[ ELLIOT'S POV ]

It was late afternoon- I could tell by looking at my banged up watch, that thing has probably seen everything at this point. I was nearing the entrance of a forest.. why? I was on a mission, since the coming of winter, food began to grow scarce, and sure I could kill a bug and get food out of that but- I really hate bugs.. so berries and maybe tea (If I could find the right leaves) was my go to. Being hungry and walking through the snow wasn't a good mix, I decided to rest for a bit- I leaned back against a tree as I drank water from my 'straw bottle'.. I picked it up near a cafe and decided to give it a use. It was cut down to a size of about 2 inches- the top and bottom were both sealed off by being crimped and melted. This was my way of storing water. If only.. what knowledge would do me good out here? It was very peaceful, the snow gracefully laced the tips of the blades of grass, as for the trees were in a shade of white, it felt nice.. my head went around with thoughts putting musical sounds to the scenery as I tried to hum the most fitting tune I could conjure. I've heard music before on eavesdropping within the walls of Giants before, these sounds came from this weird.. glowy touch box? I think that's what they're called, I never really take the time to learn because I already know all that I need to know. I drank from the last of my straw bottle, with a sigh I clipped the magnet chips that kept my satchel closed and pulled the flap open, I stuffed it in there- but still being careful that I don't accidently bend it, it didn't really fit so it usually stuck out. As I walked I felt a cold breeze graze against my face, it sent a shiver down my spine- I hated the cold, it makes you feel all numb and shivery.. why would someone like that? My thoughts chattered silently as I attempted to focus on the task at hand: Find something to eat.

The unforgiving onslaught of winter. As I walked I started to access and take notes of the environment I was in, I began to realize something: I'm an idiot amidst the heaps of knee high snow. The wind began to blow like crazy— I raised an arm to my forehead as I tried to shield my face from the misty waves of snow that came straight for me, I squinted my eyes to try and see through the mess of white. My hair flowed in the direction of the wind as my vision began to blur. This was bad really bad, if I didn't find shelter in time, I'd most definitely be buried under another 5th layer of snow.

" dangit.. I need to find shelter! "

The scenery changed so quickly, to peaceful to dire my thoughts began to grow louder than usual, in panic they kinda shouted at me. My breath began to grow more rapid as I could feel my own lungs begin to freeze, my body cried for warmth and yet to no avail: nothing. The lens of my goggles began to freeze and get all foggy, and my hands began to grow numb— I was done for, this pine forest felt endless- I kept going forward but it always felt like the same place. I wasn't very hardwired for such cold weather, I mean- how could I be? Usually I'll travel through the city staying near the walls of buildings to keep warm, but things have starting to get pretty scary lately.. I've been noticing how more aggressive the Giant community has gotten over the past few years, traps are laid everywhere and if you're seen.. prayer and hope is your only god now. I couldn't really prepare for this weather.. well I could've, if I wasn't so afraid of going outside.. what am I saying? This is completely my fault.

You go out once just to look for a batch of berries then you're out here having to bow down towards the weather or allow the weather to claim you victim. A plaid jacket and torn up jeans weren't going to do anything in this forsaken weather, so why even bother? Besides being human means you stick with what you have and improvise with it- well that's what my mother taught me, she was a clever engineer.

The clouds moved as I moved forward, the day dragged on so quickly as night drew near. I took everything it in for a moment trying to keep myself together, I sighed as my legs just couldn't take it anymore: I fell forward plummeting into the snow face first, the sensation of feeling something so physically cold made chills run down my back, I lied on my stomach as I lifted my chin up, before immediately falling back into the snow.

This is it.. I can't.. I can't make it, leading myself into hysteric belief that I was going to make it was stupid. Even at the age of twelve I knew when I was screwed, not that, that has anything to do with anything.

As I lowered my head to sink deeper into snow I felt the sharpest pain of heat, surge right through my body- the recollection of the remaining body heat within me, left and departed— I know this, this is when your body gives its last shot and trying to get you warm. What did that mean? Death. I never went outside much, although before I had no reason to, until I realized I'd have to step out and get food every once in awhile. I tried to keep my thoughts mild but this is the way I was going to die? ... I don't want to die. I'm sure someone will find my body either way, I can only really wonder what other corpses lie beneath this snow, being tiny and in the cold is a horrible mix, and i still went out anyways!

I lied down awaiting for death to just take me already, like a humming bird with an injured wing. Then something new entered the sounds of my ears- footsteps, oh dear.. I kept listening, trying to figure out what kind of footsteps they were, It wasn't an animal by counting the second between each step I could tell it was a person, the sounding impact upon the snow made it sound like the person was wearing boots.. as for size? Well each step it sent a slight tremor through the earth, definitely a Giant. This would be a problem but I was about to die anyways, so I decided to just play dead and hope the Giant didn't come my way or even notice me.

Soon the footsteps came to a stop, the chirps of the crickets around me came to a stop, I could only pray that the sounds of the crickets come back, my paranoia began flare up- I tried to refrain from lifting my head up to see the person but I couldn't take it anymore, slowly I lifted my head just a little and dragged my gaze upwards. My eyes lit with the pure, raw fear of god as I saw the Giant standing RIGHT over me, with the bare light I could only collect the sight of what stood over me: A women with a lit cigarette between her lips. Her skin was pale, her hair was cut short and fluffy— as well with it being a dark color of wine red. She wore a jacket with a very fluffy and soft hoodie, that was raised over her head, beneath the jacket she had on a black turtle neck sweater with a bandolier of supplies like bullets and bandages. She also seemed to be wearing a pair of torn dark blue jeans with patches, as well with fingerless gloves, while her fingers are covered in small bandages and Band-Aids. Finally she had a sniper rifle that had a strap slung over her shoulder and resting on her back.

Dear god. Did I mention how HORRORIFYING this sight was? Another distinct feature of hers was her red pupils that barely reflected in light due to the moonlight. Well now the palate of death expanded: Either I die in the cold, or die to a Giant. I used my arms to lift myself up, now on my knees I had to somehow stifle myself up to my feet. Although I knew, my fate was sealed.