Snufkin found a new favorite hobby; fishing.
Snufkin would take extra care with his rod and whenever Joxter and Snufkin would stop somewhere Snufkin would point to the fishing rod in question.
It was hard for Joxter to say no.
He just wished he could see the boy's face when he caught his first fish.
Snufkin pulled it in and stared at it for a moment before poking it. He could have been grinning or horrified but his body language said he was quite happy.
He pointed at it and then himself while looking at Joxter.
Joxter smiled and nodded.
Snufkin looked back to the fish and unhooked it with pride while his hands finished revealing themselves.
Joxter figured this was a good stable thing to help Snufkin.
…Yeah it's not that stable.
One afternoon the two were sitting by the creek fishing when they felt a chill.
Snufkin didn't think too much on it but the Joxter looked around them concerned.
Throughout the afternoon it slowly got colder and colder.
Joxter eventually got antsy and Snufkin looked at him worried.
"Snufkin, we may need to move soon."
Snufkin looked to the water before back to Joxter and nodded.
Joxter let out a breath. Maybe it will pass.
An hour passed with the sun starting to go down.
As well as some snow.
Joxter looked up at the sky once the first snowflake fell to see the sudden overcast and hear the lack of animals being active. "Snufkin, we need to pack up."
Snufkin started to reel in his line when the water froze the line in place. He quickly let go of the rod and backed away.
Joxter abandoned his rod too and seemed to be looking around the woods for something. He quickly soon gave up and grabbed Snufkin's hand before he ran into the woods.
Snufkin looked up at his father's worried face, wanting to question why they were running but not being able to.
Joxter stopped short when he saw one of the trees in front of them frost over. He turned around to see another one meet the same fate. Snufkin figured they had to hide so he tugged on Joxter's sleeve and pointed at a bush.
The Joxter nodded and ducked in there with Snufkin. He held a finger up to his mouth to be silent, though that is kind of useless.
The two hid in the bush silent and still save for the shivering from Snufkin. He pulled his hat off so he could sit up on his knees and tuck his hands under his arms.
Joxter looked over at Snufkin noticing the boy being colder than him. You see the Joxter is a bit fluffier than Snufkin and so warmer seeing as how the Joxter is more cat like than his son who is closer to his mother in species.
Joxter was about to offer something when he could hear something nearby. The boys froze listening and peeking through the leaves to see a giant black creature that seemed like a bringer of death. The creature was covered in what seemed to be a big black sheet that reached to the ground. It had wide eyes that had pin-point pupils and a wide mouth always grimacing. It sent chills down their spines for this was what was causing the late winter freeze.
The creature Joxter knew as the Groke moved slowly in front of them like it was in no rush to arrive to it's destination. Maybe it didn't even have a destination and was just going where it's cold heart desired.
Snufkin watched it in fear as it slowly passed by, though the bush freezing over with a layer of ice caused him to no longer be able to. They were trapped in icy darkness.
Snufkin genuinely believed they could die here. He's never been in danger before, especially from a bringer of the cold.
Joxter looked over at his trembling son and pulled him close as a silent comfort and offer of warmth. He gave his son a weak smile that his eyes betrayed but he himself was trying to stay calm.
….
"Snufkin?"
Snufkin looked up at him.
"Okay, you're awake. I think he has passed now."
Snufkin looked at the ice covering the bush and lightly touched it's smooth surface.
"We are going to need to break out of this." Joxter set Snufkin to the side before kicking the ice with his boot, making a hole. "Thin ice, nice."
Joxter did that a few more times before he got a hole big enough for them to fit through.
He let Snufkin out first who looked around to see the forest covered in snow and frost. He put his hat back on and hugged himself against the cold.
Snufkin decided then that he did not like traveling in the cold. Crisp maybe, but not cold.
Joxter climbed out and immediately noticed the time. "We should set up camp and then travel in the morning alright?"
Snufkin nodded. Camp meant fire. Fire meant warmth.
….
The two had went back over to the creek where their stuff was. To Snufkin's dismay his rod was still frozen but at least the fire was indeed warm as well as their supper.
The stew was good for his sinuses.
…Since when did he feel like he needed to help that?
A/N: Thank you once again for reading! All the support has been wonderful and inspiring to keep writing. Just thank you all so much!