Upon A Stranger

Chapter 1 - Brief Exchange

The snow crumpled beneath my feet as I walked up the steep bridge. Wrapping my arms around my waist I pulled my thick, black coat closer to my body, trying to create as much heat as possible. My flimsy shoes constantly slipped on the ground as I tried to battle against the strong winds. I should've just said yes to that lift.

"Excuse me?" Looking to my right, I moved my short ginger hair away from my face. Squinting my eyes I found a blonde girl stood in front of me.

"Yes?" Stopping my feet, I slightly leaned forward to stop myself from falling. "Are you alright?" I asked as I took in what she was wearing. Looking down her small frame, it seemed to be some form of hospital gown. When my eyes reached her bare feet, my eyes widened in shock as a lump formed in my throat.

Soon she was standing directly in front of me. "Where am I?" Her lip was quivering as she spoke. The young girl tightly hugged herself as she glanced down to the floor.

"What?"

I could see the desperation appear in her eyes as she reached her hand out to me. "I, I don't know where I am." Tears quickly started to fall, causing my arms to wrap around her neck. Burying her face, her sobs became louder as she gripped her arms around my back.

"It's alright, everything's going to be okay." Moving her head back, she peered deep into my eyes. "C'mon, you're coming with me. You must be freezing."

Taking off my coat, I quickly slotted her arms in and zipped up the front. As we started to walk up the hill, I couldn't help but think about her feet. I stopped and turned to her. "Can I carry you? Your feet..." She nodded and I lowered my left arm towards the back of her legs as I held onto her waist. Picking her up, she smiled timidly at me as I continued to climb the hill.

Reaching the top, the wind worsened as I felt a burn in my arms. The girl slotted her skinny limbs around my shoulders, twisting her body into mine whilst leaning her face into my neck. Tilting my body back a little, I started to walk down the slope.

I felt my foot shift from underneath me. My heart rate accelerated, my breath caught in my throat and adrenaline was sent rushing through my veins.

Tightening my grip on the blonde, I pulled my foot back and regained my composure but not before she started to shake in fear. "I'm sorry. Nearly there now, just hold on a while longer." The muscles in my arms proceeded to burn hotter and hotter as I gritted my teeth to push through the pain. The girl wasn't even the slightest bit heavy, in fact she was shockingly light but my arms refused to listen as the burning sensation worsened.

At the bottom of the hill, my arms were ready to give out and fall to my sides. Deciding against that option, I realised I just had to hurry home. As quickly as I could, I turned right down the street. Stopping at the crossing, we waited for one, slowly moving car to pass by. When it did, I stepped out onto the road.

The icy tarmac was a challenge all by itself. The slippery surface was dangerous enough without having someone else effecting your balance and they way you walk.

As my the heel of my foot fell into a pothole, my body was flung backwards. I felt her grip tighten on me as mine did on her. Stepping back, I steadied myself. Using the pothole to my advantage, I forced myself forwards and across the road. But my arms couldn't take anymore.

Approaching a wall, I turned around slowly and sat down. The girl sat up and faced me. She slipped her legs either side of my body and positioned herself on my lap. Snaking her arms around me once more, she rested her head on my right side.

Her heart was beating rapidly, I could feel it against my chest. It was constantly beating as if it never stopped, never took a breath. What's with this girl?

I loosely held onto her lower back to give my arms the rest they needed. I could feel the snow below me start to melt into my black, skinny jeans as the burning slowly died down in my arms. "Are you okay?" I felt her nod her head as her body relaxed into mine. "Good. There's not far now, just a few streets over. Do you know where you live?"

Slowly her body started jolt against mine as soft whimpers escaped her mouth, resonating in my ear. Running my hand long her back, I ended up brushing off a fresh layer of snow. "We're going to have to get moving, I don't fancy turning into a snowman any time soon." A little giggle passed her lips as she pulled back to look at me. Her pure blue eyes pierced into my own and I couldn't help the smile that crept it's way onto my face. "Lets go home."

Standing up again, I re-positioned the girl in my arms and started the walk down to the bottom of the long street. The frail figure which laid in my arms soon started to shiver under the cold. Her gaze was fixed on me as if she was trying to figure me out, what my deal is. When all I really wanted to do is figure out hers.

Looking at the undisturbed snow on the ground, I wondered where everyone was. Usually at this time at night there is only a few people out but whenever it snows, everyone comes out from under their rocks. The street is deserted.

It's as if no one has lived here in about 20 years or something?

Finally at the end, I turned left onto my street. "My house is just down here, then we can get you dry. Sound good?" The girl simply nodded and then twisted her head around to watch the houses pass by, one by one.

Kicking open the gate, I walked through. Backing up I closed it again and walked up the short path to my door.

Putting the blonde down on the porch, I fetched my keys out of my back pocket. Opening the door I let the girl enter first. Following behind, I removed my shoes and showed her into the front room. "Home sweet home."