Resurrection {NaNoWriMo}

Chapter 2

Something feathery and cold padded against her skin. One hit her foot, her leg, her arm, her hair. She shivered and sat up, eyes peeling open. A meadow of frost greeted her. Blooming and bustling flowers of violet and yellow sprang from the ground, all covered in a pale powder. She shook the white flakes from her arms and legs, brushing off her bare skin as she stood. Turning in circles, she studied the lumbering trees that surrounded her. Their branches were bare, their trunks scorched, and upon looking at them she felt her heart grow cold. Something had happened here, something terrible and sad.

Her beautiful meadow was the only sign of life in the seemingly naked forest. No sound echoed other than her feet crunching against the fresh grass. She ran her hands over her chilled limbs and glanced up at the black sky that rained cold dust through the break in the trees above her. The sprinkles cascaded upon her and the barren world, freezing the air. She looked back out at the dark woods, her breath gushing out and visible before her. Seeking warmth and cover, she began to travel away from her small haven, and into the shadows.

The farther she crept, the colder she felt. Despite the shelter from the wintery powder, the forest lacked all warmth. She glanced back in search for the meadow, but it had vanished, engulfed in the darkness. Having no choice but to carry on, she prattled forward, deeper into the woods.

No other creature stirred as she continued. Her breath softly rustled against the silence. Her ivory skin shone out in the dim lighting. Her feet caressed the ground with a startling grace as she maneuvered across the brown, stiff floor. Something whispered in her head, murmuring long forgotten words through her ears. Pausing, she strained to listen.

Acacia, it gushed. Our darling, Acacia. What are you doing here?

She whirled around; searching for the voice, but it was not to be found within the forest, but within her. It was something deep and innate in her being. Something she could not fathom. What was it? Where was she? Why?

Her arched brows knitted in confusion. She tried to recapture it, but as soon as it had presented itself, it had vanished and she fumbled for meaning. She sought it within the darkness, desiring some sign of direction, of another being, but she remained isolated. Dazed and startled, she pushed on, because what else was there left to do?

In the distance, a noise rumbled to life. Waters gushed somewhere ahead of her, and she found herself sprinting through the trees, through the yellow brush. The trees blurred beyond her and she squealed in delight as she found a stream, but as she neared closer she paused.

The water was not blue as she had expected it to be, it was nearly back, full of soot and mud. Her nose crinkled as she sniffed its rotten stench. She crept closer, examining the polluted liquid. Did she dare identify it as water?

It was filthy despite its rushing currents, and she felt urged to draw herself closer. She crouched on its bank, the dark mud squishing beneath her toes. Hesitantly reaching a hand out, her fingertips skimmed the surface, and something warm and searing burst through her. It leapt from her heart, coursed through her arm to her hand to her fingers to the stream. Sparkling blue water manifested where she touched, and spread through the stream, casting away the grime and polishing the depths.

She gasped and drew back, watching as the water transformed before her. A soft floor of shining stones gleamed beneath the rushing water. She leaned forward to reach for one, her hand stretching through the water when a girl appeared –

She lurched back, gaping wide-eyed at the girl with a pale white dress that reflected back at her over the water's surface. She had startlingly clear eyes, almost transparent despite their cyan tint. Her silvery hair flowed down her shoulders in ringlets to her stomach. Her long, thin limbs seemed to tremble as they stared at each other.