No Choice {GaLe}

Chapter Three

"Bye, Jet!" I sang, waving at the orange-haired man in front of me. He smiled and said, "Bye, Levy!" He opened the door for me, causing a small creaking sound to float in the air. "Thank you, again. I don't know what I would've done if your store hadn't been open!" I thanked, my smile getting bigger, with each word that left my mouth.

"Anything for you." He chirped, never taking his eyes off me. His gaze seemed to cut through my skin, and pierce me. A small blush appeared on my cheeks, as I walked out of the store. The cold air, immediately getting to me. My hands automatically felt numb again. As if they were just waiting until the cold reached them.

I shivered as I pushed through the, still, strong winds. The strong muscles of the cruel wind won against my weak, slender body. I slipped on ice, sending myself flying backward. I screamed as I hit something hard, causing me to yelp. I reached my shaky hand and felt around my head. My fingertips felt warm and submerged in a thick liquid.

I winced, at the sudden, cold touch of my fingers. I pulled my hand into view once again, and saw a large pool of crimson, forming on my hand. The blood was spreading, almost like wildfire, in a forest full of trees. I looked down, only to be greeted by my broken shoe. The black footwear was scattered on the ground, in two pieces.

Its pair was still intact, but that wouldn't help much. I tried putting the two pieces together, hoping it would be like a puzzle. I had no such luck, as they just fell apart again. I nearly started sobbing right then and there, but that would be no help. Seeing that if I did decide to let myself cry, it would only stop me from getting home.

Home. Was that house even my home anymore? Was it still the same even though dad is no longer present? Never. It would never be the same... Not without his warm smile and gentle touch. The way he used to read me stories and calm me down when I had nightmares, it would never be the same without that.

Of course, mother couldn't ever replace him. Even if she tried, which she clearly, wasn't. I whimpered, as I got up from my sitting state. My foot, clashed against the freezing ice, almost making me yell out. It was almost as if, I was walking on fire. The ice, burning my skin, leaving me with nothing but bones. That was what it felt like.

"At least my other shoe didn't break...." I muttered to myself, trying to look at the bright side, as dad always taught me. He always had such a special way of looking at the world. His own way, of making the world a good place. Rather then the horrible place it can be. I grabbed onto a nearby brick, that was popping out from an old looking building.

The rocky surface slightly scraped my hand. I got up, to almost slip again. I caught myself and proceeded to walk towards my house. Each step I took, felt like a dagger was being shoved up my foot. Ice. Oh, how horrible it can be. But, it can also be beautiful. The way it glistens in the sun, the wonderful sculptures you can create with its beauty.

Maybe ice wasn't so bad... Even if it was hurting me at the moment. I crossed a smooth street, and saw a man, sitting at a corner of a wall. As I got closer, I saw that he was shivering. His skin, looked like wrinkled paper, about to be ripped. I could practically see his bones. He was crying into his hand, breaking my heart.

I walked over to him and took off my coat. I felt the cold surround me in less than a second. I slightly shivered, but I knew this was best. I reached my hand out, coat in hand. The man looked up at me, his tear stained cheeks, frostbitten. His eyes longed for something that I couldn't put my finger on.

"For you," I explained, lightly shaking the jacket. He looked at me, then back at the coat. His shaking hand reached out and took the material away. He quickly got into the coat, a smile kissed his lips. "Thank you, so very much Mrs." He said, smiling brightly. His yellow teeth, visible.