It's not like I haven't done this before, but I knew even the smallest error could kill me. I quickly darted across the ice, axe in hand, careful not to alert any of the monsters in the distance. The moon was high in the sky with not a cloud in sight, giving me plenty of light reflecting off the snow all around me. I didn't want to come out this late, I knew it was foolish, but I desperately need the firewood and so I had no choice.
The sparse trees in this frozen wasteland do good to help me spot intruders from a distance, but it's nearly impossible to find firewood because of it. Coal is much better, but the cavern I'd been spelunking has been snowed in for the season; wood will have to do, at least until I could risk a trip into town. I finally reached a tree, a good quarter-mile from my stone fortress, and made quick work of it. I tied the log together tightly, continuously looking over my shoulder. Why did I ever decide to live so far from civilization? I have no direct communication with the outside world, and it's a struggle to be self-sufficient; crops have issues growing this far north. I have to tend to them every day along with my livestock, which can be back-breaking work in deep snow. Even so, there is significantly less raids out here...
I dragged the log along behind me, slowly, still wary of everything around me. I'm paranoid as hell at this time of night, I've seen what those monsters can do to people less observant. I can't risk it. I gently eased the logs onto the ice, and as i started to lug them behind me I realized this was a lot easier than dragging them through the snow. I jumped behind my cargo and opted for pushing it the rest of the way. Just as I was about to reach the frozen shore, however, I heard a horrible hissing noise from behind me. I spun around and lost my balance, falling at the feet of one of those horrible green things - a creeper, as the others call them. The hissing gets louder and the creature lunges at me, and I knew I didn't have much time to react. I quickly kicked at the thing, knocking it back a few feet onto the ice before it exploded. The blast cracks the ice and I scrambled for the shore, making it just in time to watch the logs fall into the water.
I used my axe to fish the rope from the water and haul the wood ashore, the ice already starting to freeze again. Just when I thought it was safe, however, several zombies nearby heard the blast and were lumbering in my direction. I decided that i can come back for the cargo later and dash up the hill to my house and slammed the steel door behind me. That was way too close, but at least I got something accomplished. Sort of.
I threw what little firewood I had left into the furnace and warmed myself by it, still dwelling on how I made the stupid mistake of not keeping a sharp eye out. I continued to kick myself over it as I watched the moon get lower in the sky, unable to sleep as I lay in bed. Then suddenly, I heard a crashing sound downstairs. I froze, thinking the worst. Had someone found me? Wait - of course! I left huge tracks in the snow from hauling that log straight to my house! I'm so stupid! I hastily grabbed my bow and nocked an arrow. I heard the noise again, but this time something different as well... It almost sounds like whispering. I was NOT losing any of my materials to raiders! I crept down the stairs and prepared to fight. I could see the shadow of someone, going around to the other side of the enclosed spiral staircase. I jumped from the landing and turned to open fire at the intruder, a dark figure bending over my food chests.
"Stop!" I yelled. The black figure flinched, then straightened up. My heart suddenly dropped as I saw what I thought was human, suddenly rise to nearly twice my size and turn to face me. I've heard the ghost stories of these tall beasts, the black shadow creatures that murder people who so much as look at them.
And I just looked this one directly in the eyes.