"Perhaps we should go back to Moominhouse," suggested Little My, looking up at the darkening sky.

They had been searching for nearly an hour, finding nothing but more oddly frozen ground.

"No Little My," Moomin said firmly. "Look at all this weird frost on the ground. The first day of spring was ages ago. This shouldn't be here, and I have a nasty feeling about it."

"Oh, pish with your nasty feeling!" Little My said angrily.

"Let's just search a little more-"

"Moomin! If we haven't found him yet, he isn't here!" Little My shouted, suddenly frustrated. "This is stupid. I'm going home."

Moomin let her go- it was easier than arguing. He watched her running back to Moominhouse with a heavy heart. The sun was setting fast, and the deeper he ventured into the wood, the more worried he became. What if he did never find Snufkin?

Moomin continued, his heart to thudding against his chest. The ground was frozen solid and a bitter wind cut sharply through the air. Snowflakes began to swirl down, soon, looking behind him, Moomin saw that everywhere was now covered in a light layer of snow.

This wasn't right. This wasn't normal.

Moomin turned back round and suddenly something caught his eye: a tall snow drift, from under which poked a corner of green fabric.

Moomin's heart gave an unpleasant jolt.

Snufkin.

Oh god.

Oh no.

His heart pummelled against his chest.

Tears stung his eyes.

He started running towards the pile of snow.

It had built up around the figure.

Moomin reached it and dug away at the snow, his paws instantly numbing against the freeze.

He grabbed the body and brushed the snow flakes off his coat and turned him over.

His was him.

It was really him!

But nothing was about this was okay, and Moomin's relief and joy turned to terror as he realised...

Snufkin was cold. Too cold. Moomin thought it unlikely he could be alive if...

His skin was white-blue, his hair was long and scraggly, there were deep circles under his eyes and he seemed very thin again. Moomin tentatively reached out and touched Snufkin's sallow cheek- then screamed and jumped back.

Snufkin's skin had burned him, it was so cold. An angry blue mark appeared on Moomin's paw.

But what choice did he have?

Moomintroll steeled himself and gathered Snufkin up out of the pile of snow, careful not to touch his bare skin. Who knew how long Snufkin had been out there, laying in the snow. Who knew if Moomin could save him. He had to get him home. Mama would know what to do.

A/N sorry for late update and short chapter,  but I wanted to get it out! Hope you enjoy. Xxx