(LOOKING FOR ANY KIND OF FEEDBACK)
There once was a village that was always shrouded in winter. Every year, on february second, they had a holiday we now refer to as groundhog day. I personally, saw no point in the village doing this as the village ceremony never resulted in spring. At that time, they even had tally marks of how many winters were in a row.
The groundhog, named willington, by the townsfolk, was an old groundhog, who was brought by the oldest village resident, Nana Laylette, many years ago.
The ceremony was starting, so everyone was gathering around willingtons enclosure. Of course, willington retreated into his den, alas, more winter. The townsfolk were not at all fazed by this result. There are many theories as to why the village has been hit by winter for all these years, but Nana claims that it is a curse. A long time ago, when Nana was just a girl, an old woman in raggedy clothing came up to the village. “Please, help me.” she said. “I am so cold, tired and hungry.” the people of the village turned her away, and she left, saying “may you perish in winter until you know kindness.” now, everyone loves Nana, but most people in the village disregard her theory and called her a “crazy old lady.” the townsfolk just think it is the environment in which they live.
A few days later, people of the village were shocked to see a bright light coming in their windows, and when they stepped outside, to see that there was no snow as far as the eye could see, flowers were blooming, birds were singing, and that there was sun. the townsfolk were all happy and frolicked around, but then Nana Laylette came out. She squinted up at the sun, and winced a bit. “Hmmm. there is a great danger upon us.” the townsfolk laughed and said “its finally spring!! Dont ruin it Nana!!”
But the townsfolk should have listened.
Several days later, Nana Laylette died.
Her funeral was preformed out in the sun, “just as she would’ve wanted.” her daughter stated. The ceremony took all day, as all the townsfolk knew and loved nana.
The next day, many people slept in. the birds didn’t sing, and people assumed they were waking up frequently. People of the village started to get suspicious, and were shocked when they went outside. The sky was covered by a thick blanket of clouds, and it was snowing more than they’ve ever seen. The people of the village were confused, and one maiden went to check on willington but there soon was a shriek. For when she looked in willingtons den, he was dead, but, it was interesting. His body was rotting as if he had been dead for days, but just yesterday he was out enjoying the spring sun.
Over the course of the next 2 days, some of the older residents of the village died, because not many people were prepared for this random winter. Therefore, the village had very low supplies.
On the third day, due to lack of wood, most of the middle aged male townsfolk were sitting around a big fire in the middle of the village while the women, children and the elderly slept. Soon after, an old woman walked up out of the snowstorm and tapped one of the men on the shoulder. “Please.. Help me… i am.. So cold.. And hun-” the man cut her off. “GET OUT! WE HAVE NO TIME FOR YOU HERE! CAN’T YOU SEE WE’RE IN A CRISIS??” he shouted. The woman, in silence, slowly walked back off into the storm.
The next day, the storm was significantly worse. Many people were dying, because their clothes wouldn’t keep them warm enough. Everyone in the town had heard about the incident with the old lady, and a few days later, Nanas granddaughter, Bianca, ran out of her home, yelling. “I’VE HAD A VISION!! I JUST HAD A VISION!” of course, many people of course came out due to the loud yelling. “In the vision,” Bianca explained. “That lady, who came up, was the lady who cursed our village long ago, and she was an ice elemental!! SHE’S the one whos controlling our weather!” the townsfolk were not amused by this in the least. They shouted at Bianca, telling her theres no time for her “silly conspiracies” and things like that.
Bianca, completely determined that she was correct, entered her Nanas part of the home, which no one was supposed to enter. Everything was as Nana left it, and Bianca quickly opened a false plank in the floor, and grabbed one of her Nanas books on magic. Bianca grabbed clothes, food, water, and some blankets and made off to a small abandoned shed at the edge of the village.
All day, Bianca was flipping through the pages of this book, and eventually gasped when she saw the words: Elemental Summoning.
Bianca took the day to gather the ingredients. Some animal blood, pine needles, stuff like that. But most importantly, fresh snow. And there sure was enough of that to go around. That night, determined to end this perilous winter, Bianca did as the book said and when the moon was at its peak as she saw through the breaks in the clouds, threw the powdered snowy concoction up towards the sky.
Then she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And eventually fell asleep.
Several hours later, there was a light knock at the shed door. Bianca was not woken up by this, but rather the blast of cold wind that seeped through the cracks of the broken wood. Bianca immediately jumped to her feet and opened the door. It was the old woman from her vision. The woman said “i am so cold, tired and hungry… could you please help me..?” Bianca immediately replied. “Of course! Please, come in!” Bianca opened the door and the woman walked in. “i know this shed isn’t that big but… it’s all i have.” Bianca said as she handed the woman a blanket. Bianca stood there for a few seconds, unsure of what to do. She stuttered “is- is there anything else i can get for you? Some food or water? “ the woman nodded, and Bianca handed her some bread and water. “Such a kind child..” the woman said hoarsely. Bianca sat down in the corner, and eventually passed out.
Bianca awoke to cheering the next morning. The woman was gone. Light was shining through the shed windows as Bianca rushed out. The sun was beaming down onto the small village, as the townsfolk cheered and danced loudly around. Bianca smiled at the amazing sight.
Bianca did not tell the townsfolk that it was her, though she contemplated it many times. She sometimes still feels like she sees the old woman in the forest, smiling at her.
