It was snowing, there was no denying it. There was always something so captivating about it. The way it gracefully floated downwards until it landed to form cold clumps, and the way it sparkled like glitter under the sun and moon. It was nearly surreal, something only to be described as spectacular.
This is what the young girl was currently thinking about, hunched against a tree. Her tousled blonde hair stuck each and every way, while her oversized shoes left her feet cold. Her cheeks and nose were red as a tomato. Yulia's body was violently shaking from her condition.
Sobs escaped her lips while the cold made her shiver."Godamn it!" I swore aloud, shaking. I was freezing. Why didn't I bring a fucking coat? My ego had gotten in the way of my own safety, yet I refused to admit it. After tripping, I had awakened the bruise on my side like never before. I couldn't handle it; it was too much. I had crawled to the nearest tree to lay against and found the snow seep through my clothes and nearly into my veins.
I rested my head against the rough bark of the tree with a groan. Without a doubt I was calmer now. Keeping my breathing calm, I surveyed the land presented to me. There was just something about nature that drew me in. I watched as a squirrel scurried down a tree with his long grey tail following behind. He stood on hind legs, sniffed the air, and ran off. I smiled, at least for a little while.
"Ugh, what am I going to do?" I asked the universe. For some reason it really had it out for me, just like Bree. Whenever something good happened it was always short lived. I shifted my position slightly and closed my eyes. I immediately pictured my mother and remembered everything positive about her. It was nearly impossible to pick out any flaws.
Suddenly I felt a chill on top my nose, as if someone had pressed an ice cube to it. My hazel eyes flew open just in time to watch a big snowflake melt. I sneezed and wiped at my nose.
"Gosh it's cold." I mumbled, shivering. I knew if I really wanted to get away then I'd have to head down the road, not down our obvious running trail where my prints could be easily traced. I guess I didn't want to run from my family after all... I was the one I wanted to flee from. I hated life without mom. It was like trying to function a castle without a queen, it simply wasn't doable. My mom wasn't just my mother, she was my best friend.
With her gone I had no one to confide in. I reckon I'll eventually warm up to my friends sure, but how could they ever replace the original?
"Yulia?" A voice suddenly a whispered next to me. I nearly jumped out of my skin until I looked up to see Leon. Ah yes, the consequences of my actions in the flesh. His black hair was sprinkled with snow, and his broad frame was covered with a thick peacoat. Leon studied me with his dark chocolate eyes, a hint of empathy swam beneath his gaze. Instead of replying or even acknowledging his presence, I returned my focus to the winter wonderland in front of me.
A bright red cardinal unexpectedly landed some feet away on a fallen branch. I began to admire its beauty when I heard something, or rather someone sit down next to me. I didn't have to turn my head to know my oldest brother had perched himself inches from me. As the silence became more prevalent, I realized it was actually very comfortable. Sitting here in the cold of winter with Leon proved to be less intimidating than I previously pictured before.
Together we watched as the cardinal pecked and hopped all around. I found my lips pulling into another smile when a fellow cardinal landed next to the bird. All of a sudden, my body felt warm, and cologne filled my senses. I looked down to see Leon had placed his coat around me, leaving him in his black undershirt. Finally, I decided to meet his gaze.
He was hyper-focused on the two birds in front of us, not even sparing me a glance. I had to say something, feeling a slight shift towards awkwardness.
"What are you doing?" I grabbed at his jacket, our eyes locking.
YOU ARE READING
The Khigir Hunters
FanfictionAt a young age Yulia was taken back to her mother's country of origin: Russia. This tore the Khigir family apart, forcing Yulia from her siblings. Twelve years later, tragedy strikes and her mother passes. At sixteen Yulia is too young to live on he...