Frozen Darkness

Burning snow

I woke up from a nightmare with a terrible headache only to see the moons rays still shining through the broken down roof. The past just wont leave me alone. I could still hear the soft waltz threatening to take over the wind. A cold breeze swiped near the tore down door.

A fragile shack sheltered a group of shivering survivors from the cruel winter. In the last week, half of the younger children took their last breathes while frostbite exposed them to sicknesses. The constant diet of potatoes didn't help either. The sack was running low at an alarming rate.

The clear sky reminded me of a starry one I particularly remembered from some years ago. The pain amplified as i decided to step outside for a moment to calm down. I stepped over some adults laying down as i made my way over to the 'makeshift' door.

The outside world was cold and deserted even though the woods surrounded all that you can see. I sat down near the entrance studying every movement near our temporary base. There was a quiet cracking sound that instantly gave me a deja vu sentiment. There was a fire. As i made that statement i saw a flame slowly rising in the distance. I wasted no time and rushed through the door as i woke everyone up. Firstly, they looked around confused but as the saw where i pointed, they became more alarmed by the second.

"DA IST EIN FEUER!" (THERE'S A FIRE!) I shouted as many rushed out of the building to see the hungry flames in the distance. They were approaching fast.

As my injuries healed, the horse that i rode a week ago was helping someone else now.

The young woman who led us waisted no time. She grouped everyone into five smaller groups and gave each one a map and also a meeting point for the following morning. We had to split up since it would be easier for us to escape in smaller capacities then in bigger ones. Sparks lit up the path like fire flies would. I was selected in a group with six other persons. Two children, three adults and a elderly man who barley kept up with walking at a normal pace. 

The night was a blur of frantic movement and the looming threat of the encroaching fire. We stumbled through the darkness, guided only by the dim light of the moon and the urgency of survival. Each step felt heavy with the weight of uncertainty, knowing that at any moment, the flames could engulf us.

As we trudged on, the wind carried the scent of smoke, a bitter reminder of the danger lurking behind us. The children clung to our sides, their small hands trembling with fear. The adults exchanged worried glances as their faces etched with determination mixed with desperation.

Hours passed, and exhaustion threatened to overcome us, but we pushed forward, driven by the hope of reaching safety. The elderly man faltered, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, but we refused to leave him behind. With each passing minute, the distant glow of the fire grew closer, a relentless reminder of our vulnerability.

*Time skip 2 hours*

The flames were no longer catching us from behind but the danger wasn't over just yet. Smoke was still polluting the sky as we managed to catch our breaths. The night wasn't over. The fire warmed up the forest, though not enough to compete with the icy temperature from before. It was around four or five o'clock now, and tiredness took over each and everyone of the group. A dried spot under a big conifer tree awaited us, as firstly the old man sat down on the dried moss that grew from between its roots.

The group sat near him as one of the youngest adults remained awake to guard the vulnerable group.

.
.
.

Rlly short chapter? Reason: my keyboard is almost dead (i write on mobile and use a Bluetooth keyboard) and i can barely just type but i lost my charger but i don't wanna type normally. I promise ill write a longer chapter soon (most probably on Friday other Saturday- most likely not bc I'm going to the opera)

Anyways, word count 717
See you in the next chapter!