For the tenth time in the past hour since leaving New London, Walter wipes away the frost accumulating on his goggles. Fighting through the blizzard was like pushing an invincible wall of relentless cold and swirling snow, each step a struggle against the biting wind and the unseen forces determined to hinder Jack and Walter's progress to find their lost expedition.
The landscape sprawls into an expansive plain of perpetual snow and ice, interrupted only by occasional glimpses of small and large hills in the distance. Despite the seemingly barren expanse of the frozen waste, locating any trace of the lost expedition proves to be a formidable challenge for Jack and Walter.
Walter halts abruptly, prompting Jack to nudge into his back. Gazing across the barren expanse of snow, Walter remains transfixed by the map in his hands. With a frustrated sigh, he poses a question, "How do we even know where to search in this endless sea of damn snow? Any ideas, Jack?" Walter turns to face him, seeking a response.
Jack brushes the snow off his clothes and meets Walter's gaze. "Honestly, it feels like trying to find a needle in a snowpile. It'd be a miracle if we could find anything out here. Right now, I'm just trying not to worry about being completely lost," he remarked.
Walter points at the map for Jack to see and gestures ahead, "If I'm correct, and if the map is accurate enough, we should be nearing a forest. Unfortunately, with this blizzard on us, I can't see any trees. I can't even tell if we're getting closer at all."
Even if Jack couldn't see Walter's expressions very well, he could hear how worried he was by the sound of his voice, "Well, better if we keep moving in that direction than staying here." he reassures.
"Alright, stick close behind me," Walter instructed, turning around and pressing forward through the snow.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but which part of the British Empire are you from, Jack?" Walter inquired, seeking to alleviate the silence against the backdrop of the blizzard's howls. Jack replied, "I'm from London, born and raised. And where are you from? I don't seem to recognize that accent of yours though."
"I'm from the United States. I was born in Kentucky, before my family relocated to London, long before this winter set in," Walter explained. Jack glanced at Walter's rifle, "Huh, I guess Kentucky would explain the rifle on your back. And why you requested a rifle from the armory. You've shot plenty of guns before?" he asked.
"Dad wanted me to be a man, and gave me my first musket rifle when I turned ten. Been shooting guns ever since until we moved to London." Walter explained.
Jack nods, "It's good to put those skills to good use. It might help keep us alive in case we run into any danger out here. I don't have many skills like you; I was the middle child in my family, with lots of siblings. Until the frost came, and life became hard for everyone," he said, his voice getting lower after each word.
"I understand, the frost did a number on all of us. I too lost my own people, but we'll make it, Jack. Let's not dwell too much on our personal lives for now. Come one, let's focus on the mission of uniting the families that we can save, alright?" Walter suggested. It's not that he didn't care about Jack's feelings, but having him feel down like this would be the last thing Walter needed, especially now.
Jack sniffs, "Yeah, you're right. Let's find those missing families and get them back to New London."
As Jack and Walter trudge through the seemingly endless snow, the relentless blizzard shows no mercy. The biting wind and swirling snowflakes create an impenetrable wall of white, making each step a struggle. However, as if nature decided to offer them a brief respite, the wind gradually subsides, and the snowflakes begin to fall more gently.
Walter squints through his frost-covered goggles, noticing the subtle shift in the weather. "Looks like the blizzard is letting up," he remarks to Jack, his voice carrying a hint of relief. The once deafening howl of the wind begins to fade, replaced by an eerie silence. The stillness is almost, unsettling, a very stark contrast to the earlier chaos of the blizzard.
Now, with the weather showing signs of mercy, they can see beyond the immediate flurry. The landscape unfolds before them, revealing the vast snowy plains with occasional hills in the distance once more. As the last remnants of the blizzard disperse, the air becomes crisp, and the surroundings take on a serene, otherworldly beauty. It's a momentary calm in the heart of the frozen storm.
"Thank goodness, and I thought that storm was never going to end. Let's check that map again and see where we are," Jack asked. Walter nodded and took out the map to check their approximate location. "Huh, it looks like we should be able to see them right after this forest," Walter said, pointing on the map where the first would be.
As Jack and Walter approached the supposed location of the forest on the map, the landscape began to change, revealing a sight that caught Jack's attention.
"Hey, Walter, is that... the forest?" Jack pointed ahead, his gaze fixed on the eerie scene. The once dense woodland now stood as skeletal remains, with tall trees stripped bare of leaves, resembling spikes protruding straight up from the frozen ground, as if they were attempting to pierce through the skies.
Walter squinted at the peculiar sight, confirming Jack's observation. "Yeah, that's it. Looks like winter has taken its toll on the forest. Strange, but we'll have to pass through it to reach our destination. Lots of trees, I bet we might hunt for some wildlife if we're lucky," Walter said sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood after witnessing the ominous look of the dead forest.
"Well, there's no time to waste. No matter how scary it looks, those families aren't going to rescue themselves. Besides, how bad can it be?" Jack asked as he forged ahead. Walter sighed, clutching his rifle close. "Great, just great." He shook his head, reluctantly following Jack into the dead forest.
The forest itself was a haunting sight without the presence of its leaves, revealing only the remnants of large frozen logs of wood that stood as tall as the generator. Exposing tangled branches and fallen logs, it looked as if the branches themselves might fall on them at any moment. As they ventured deeper inside, the towering trees now surrounded them, dominating their vision.
"Okay, this place is kind of creeping me out now," Jack admitted, looking around frantically for any lurking beasts.
"Why are you worried now? What happened to all that confidence you had just a while ago? Weren't you worried about-AH!" Walter exclaimed as his foot got caught on a fallen log, causing him to trip and fall face-first into the snow.
Jack chuckled at Walter, "Are you alright?" he asked, extending a hand to help him up. "Ugh, never better," said Walter, wiping off the snow from his face.
As they pressed on through the dense thicket of trees, they maintained a straight course. Fearing that any slight diversion from their path might prove to be their end. The closely clustered trees forced them to be vigilant, glancing upward for precarious branches and watching the ground to sidestep potential hazards like fallen logs.
Walter keeps his rifle poised, prepared for any potential dangers that might unexpectedly emerge. Neither of them lets their guard down, at least not until they make it out of there.
Venturing deeper into the forest, the dense canopy of trees obscured any trace of light, leaving them solely reliant on the ambient sunlight glowing above their heads, just barely. The sky revealed itself intermittently through the pointed tips of the trees that reached up high. Walter maintained a steady breath, his focus unwavering as they navigated the eerie expanse of the dead forest.
"I think I see an opening up ahead," Walter announced. Jack leaned over his shoulder to catch a glimpse, "Is it an exit?" he inquired. Walter shook his head, "I certainly hope so."
Approaching the edge of the forest, Jack and Walter anticipated another stretch of the snowy plains but were met with an unexpected sight. The dense trees parted to reveal a vast opening, and at its center lay an expansive frozen lake. The icy expanse glistened under the pale light, surrounded by the skeletal remains of trees and the hushed stillness of the winter landscape.
Walter sighed, "It seems we're not out of the woods yet. However, at least it provides us with a moment to catch our breath," he remarked, surveying the open area. The treeline enclosed the entire lake, creating a sense of containment. As if the area they found looked like an entirely different world of its own.
Jack glanced at the sky, noticing the sun already descending. "Well, that's not good." Walter followed his gaze and panicked, "Damn, we're burning daylight here. Forget the rest; this is not the time for sightseeing." Walter said as he walked around the lake.
"Still, this place isn't all that bad. The view is amazing," Jack remarked, closely trailing behind Walter. He continued to admire the frozen lake, accompanied by the snow gently falling down to touch the ice.
Walter halted just before the treeline, catching a glimpse of a faint light from the other end of the trees. "Jack, we're not here for that. Come on, let's continue the line from here. We shouldn't be too far; just a little bit further till we get out of this forest."
"A shame to leave this great find so soon," Jack commented, taking one last look of the frozen lake before stepping back into the forest to continue their mission.
Continuing with their strategy of walking in a straight line, guided by the trail of their own footsteps, a subtle glow emerges ahead. "I see another light, and it appears brighter than the lake we discovered," Walter observed, picking up his pace. Jack, following Walter's lead, hurried to keep up with him.
With each step, the glow ahead intensified, offering a glimmer of hope to Jack and Walter. As they approached the source of light, the treeline began to thin, and a sense of relief washed over them. Emerging from the dense, dead forest, they stepped into the open, greeted by the familiar sight of the snowy plains.
The weight of the enclosed woods lifted from their shoulders, and the expanse before them seemed to expand infinitely, providing a stark contrast to the suffocating embrace of the trees. The cold air felt crisp, and the open sky above provided a welcome reprieve from the constricting canopy.
Finally free from the clutches of the dead forest, Jack and Walter stopped and exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the relief that came with escaping its eerie confines.
Walter takes off his goggles, wiping away the sweat forming on his forehead. "Finally, we're out. I was starting to think we might be lost there without this map," he remarked. Jack nodded, "Well, we made it, and I owe it all to you, the map expert." He added a playful joke to lighten the mood.
"But we can't forget the main goal—to find our people," Walter reminded them as he scanned the surroundings, attempting to gauge a rough estimate of the lost expedition's potential location.
Then, in a sudden twist of fate, Walter's voice cut through the cold air, "Hey, is that what I think it is?" His finger pointed straight ahead.
Intrigued, Jack followed the direction, and to his astonishment, a campsite materialized in the snowy landscape! A surge of relief and excitement coursed through them, a reward for persevering through the challenges of their first mission. Determination fuelled their steps as they eagerly closed the distance to the campsite, a beacon of hope in the unforgiving wilderness.
Until Walter's smile suddenly fades, bringing Jack to a halt. "Hey, what gives?" Jack says, looking back to see Walter's face now filled with doubt. "We need to approach this carefully, Jack. We can't run there like this."
Jack rolls his eyes. "Oh, come on, Walter. It's got to be them. Who else would be out here?" he asks.
"Would you just listen to me? I'm saying that there could be something bad that we're not prepared for. What if there's trouble, like wolves, for instance? We need to be careful, Jack. They might not even be the ones we're looking for," Walter explains.
Jack smirks, "Then who, bandits maybe?" he jokes. But Walter's deadpan expression is enough to wipe the smirk off Jack's face. "Maybe you're right," Jack concedes.
"Until we make our judgment, we walk—no running. It would give us away very easily. Now, get behind me and tread carefully," Walter instructs as he readies his rifle. Jack nods and positions himself right behind Walter.
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The lost expedition huddled around a dimly lit fire, its feeble flames casting long shadows on the surrounding snow-covered tents. The campsite, battered by the relentless winter, displayed signs of wear and tear, with tents barely standing against the biting wind. Exhaustion and hunger lingered in the air as the group awaited any sign of hope.
The once vibrant spirits of the expedition had waned, replaced by a somber atmosphere. Faces, etched with weariness and worry, stared into the flickering flames. The harsh reality of their predicament was evident – no food to sustain them, no clear path to safety, and an ever-looming sense of uncertainty.
The winds outside howled, testing the limits of the feeble structures that shielded them from the unforgiving cold. Each gust seemed to echo the challenges they faced, a reminder of the harsh conditions that now defined their existence. The lost expedition found solace in the dwindling warmth of the fire, yearning for a glimpse of salvation in the desolate landscape that surrounded them.
"I'm certain the others have long forgotten about us. They're not coming back, are they?" one of them voiced, shattering the oppressive silence that had lingered throughout the day. "How can we be sure they reached the generator? It's been days since our separation. Do they even know we're still here?" another countered.
Observing a small cluster of children seeking warmth around the diminishing fire, hugging each other tightly. Another survivor expressed concern, "I worry about the children here. They don't deserve to be in this situation. None of us do."
A woman, cradling her infant child, added, "We have no map. It's too risky to keep walking without any sense of direction. Our only hope is that someone finds us and rescues us. It would be a miracle if someone arrives before nightfall. After that, we'll truly suffer out here." said the mother.
Another survivor approaches, brushing off the snow from his clothes. "Whose turn is it now to watch the entrance?" he asks. "There's no point in keeping watch; no one is coming here. Take a seat and save your energy," the others urge him.
The mother from before silently decides to leave the campfire and stands at the entrance, cherishing the final moments with her child.
"Mommy, what's that over there?" her child faintly said as she pointed ahead. As she gazes into the desolate darkness, a faint glimmer catches her eye.
In the distance, the gentle radiance of Jack and Walter's heat lamps pierces through the snowy evening. A spark of hope ignites within her as she witnesses the distant illumination, hinting at the possibility of help finally arriving. Though pumped with adrenaline, she restrains the urge to run forward and attract their attention. Lacking the energy to scream or sprint, she stands tall, silently awaiting the arrival of the two strangers.
"It's help, my little one. It's help, they're here." she said as she let a tear to form and flow down her cheeks.
As they drew nearer, the mother suddenly felt a slight wave of fear washing over her as she observed Walter coming to a halt, his gaze fixed on her, rifle in hand. Walter swiftly slung his rifle to his pack and raised his gloved hands in a non-threatening manner. Signaling to Jack, they both mirrored the gesture, aiming to convey that they posed no threat to her or the others at the campsite.
"Hello there, I'm Jack, and this is Walter. We mean no harm," Jack greeted warmly with a genuine smile. "I believe you are the missing ones from our expedition? We're here to bring you home."
The mother began to breathe heavily as she stumbled forward, pleading with them, "Thank god you found us! We've been wandering for a few days after we lost the main group. We're almost running out of food, and we couldn't go anywhere."
"May we come in and meet the rest?" Walter asked.
"Yes, please. The others need to see you two," the mother said, escorting them to the campsite.
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A/N: Back in AO3, chapter 3 was split in two parts as I was slowly updating and not wanting to rush the story. I didn't combine them here in the update as chapter 3 would be too big.
Making a rewrite is not easy. I had to show a bit of conflict between Jack and Walter's judgment in this chapter. But that's the part of their relationship in order for them to have a stronger bond.
In the original, I wrote very little of their journey from their tent to the lift, and their journey through the snowy plain and dealing with the weather. And then the forest from the original came. I decided to improve it by giving it more attention and how eerie it was to travel.
You may have noticed that Jack isn't as bubbly and happy as before, but don't worry, over time he will grow more optimistic, and he will be back to his regular self in the original. He is just getting used to his new life.
Walter is now an American from Kentucky. It is because the timeline is in the 1800s and when I did some research, Kentucky was the most gun obsessed at the time in order to explain Walter's marksmanship and proficiency with guns.
The additional writing of the lost expedition of the other survivors was needed to show the bad situation, and the mother has gotten more screen time now, giving her a much more important role in the encounter.
This chapter feels so much more fleshed out and it shows Jack and Walter's progress on their first mission. And the interactions with the people around them is the most important. In reality, I don't think a lot of people has the guts to be a scout and venture off into the unknown.
Jack and Walter are the symbol of hope, even though they are just a pair of nobodies, they make the best out of their situation and prevail.
Okay, I have nothing else to talk about now.
Thank you all for reading.