The Shadow's Solace

Prologue

The Nightmare

  The sun was just starting to rise. Its first beams of light streamed through the grimy window panes causing the specks of dust in the air to glow. They danced in and out of the rays of light cast across the worn floorboards. The wind howled outside their little cottage nestled in the woods. Its mournful tone echoes the family's despair. Autumn had surrendered to the chill of Winter, hope had vanished from their home. But little Evelyn Cardimae didn't know that.

  Her spirits were still as vibrant as the summer sun, and her smile just as warm. Her laugh was melodic like a bird's song, piercing the heavy silence that seemed to fill their home. Her childish innocence allowed her to see the world for its possibilities. It blinded her to the sorrows that had crept in like a fog.

  Evelyn took in a deep breath, the smell of cinnamon and oats filled her nose, drawing her out of bed. The thought of eating her mother's porridge was pulling her to the kitchen.

  Evelyn slid out from under the warm covers. She laid their three pillows flat making it easier to cover them with the quilt. Her mother told her that covering the pillows kept the dust and bugs out. She also said that the last person to get out of bed was responsible for making it. Which was almost always Evelyn. She ran her hand across the bed smoothing the quilt as she worked backwards to the edge of the mattress.

  She hung her feet over the edge. A shiver went through her body at the thought of the cold floorboards underfoot. She debated climbing back under the warm covers. That was until her stomach grumbled in protest. She huffed a sigh of defeat as she stretched her foot out to test the icy floors. Despite the threat of snow outside, the floors weren't as cold as she'd feared. Which meant her father had been up for hours stoking the fire.

  "Good morning, honey!" Her mother greeted her from the kitchen. She smiled as she spooned porridge into a bowl. "Come get some breakfast."

  Evelyn ran up beside her mother, bumping into her as she reached for her bowl. "Easy, there." Her mother chuckled, as she pulled her head into a one-armed hug.

  "Sorry, Momma!" Evelyn said as best she could with her face squished between her mother's ribs and arm.

  Her mother released her and ruffled her hair as Evelyn grabbed her bowl of porridge. Cupping her hands around the base of the bowl she felt the warmth seep into her fingers.

  Her father sat in his favorite chair in the main room. He liked it right in front of the hearth. He stared at the flames as they danced on the logs, lost in thought. The fire cast shadows across his weathered features.

  Her father had been a jokester. He was always playing games and finding ways to make Evelyn and her mother laugh, even on the bad days. Today, though, something seemed different. He looked tired, almost sad. Little Evelyn may have noticed something was off, but not enough to say anything.

  "Mornin', Daddy!" Evelyn exclaimed. His face lit up as she approached his chair.

  "Mornin, Dear." He opened his arms and she walked into his embrace. She kissed his cheek and sank into his hug. No matter how hard the day seemed there was nothing his hugs couldn't fix. She always felt safe in his arms.

  She sat on the floor between him and the fire. She noticed her father already had his boots on, his coat draped over the back of his chair. "We heading to the shop today?" Evelyn asked with a surge of excitement.

  "Actually," her mother chimed in, "I thought you and I could head into town." She handed her father a bowl of porridge and sat on the arm of his chair. "I have some errands to run and thought you'd like to tag along." Her father placed his hand on her mother's knee, she rested her hand on his.