The Cold

Chapter 3

The man, who I assumed was Jasper, held out his hand, and I took it. We shook. He took out a gold pocket watch and frowned slightly, but then he hitched the smile back on his face. "My name is Jasper; I am your mother's brother. I have been contacted by this establishment, and I believe you have been waiting quite a while for a home of your own?" I felt great admiration of this man already. I had not been in proper contact with anyone for a long time, but I could tell that this man was very unusual. "Yes, I have." I nodded. Rosanna looked feverishly side to side. "Mister Jasper, if you don't mind, it is quite late and if circumstances weren't what they were... well... what I meant to say was-" Jasper cut her off, putting an arm around my shoulders. "I understand perfectly, Rosanna. I will of course leave immediately. Does Julee have any baggage?" Rosanna glanced at me. "No, all her things were sent to you as soon as we got wind there was a living relative."

He gave her a winning smile. "Naturally. Well, if that is all, I bid you farewell at this unholy hour of night!" He shook her hand and turned around, walking briskly toward the glass double doors on the other side of the lobby. He stopped when he realised I was still frozen in place, reeling from the unfamiliar surroundings. "Care to join me, Julee?" A hint of humour haunted his tone. I looked back at Rosanna, she nodded at me solemnly, touched my shoulder and hurried noisily out of the room. I walked slowly after Jasper, who waited patiently for me to catch up before starting again.

"Do you remember much of before you came here?" He asked. I nod. "Lots of things, little details. Certain days." He raised an eyebrow, but made no immediate comment. "How did you feel?" I shivered. "Cold. Very Cold." He stopped, for just a second. "That's interesting." I was no longer listening. We had just left the lobby into the outside world, and I had never seen something so beautiful. The moon shone bright above us, as though someone had raised a gun and shot a hole in the shadowy black sky, revealing a sliver of heaven that lit the night. Trees were everywhere, the houses were like sweets dropped among grass, bright splashes of colour. The street lights cast oval shadows of yellow light on the dusty pavement.

Jasper let me drink this all in without speaking. He himself, white skin and black hair, fit in with the surroundings perfectly. I twirled ribbons in my hair, and I was suddenly fascinated by it when it shimmered in the golden light. I looked at Jasper, smiling softly at me. "It's beautiful." He nodded. "It is, but it's also very late, and it's about time we got home." You suddenly remembered. "Is it my birthday, uncle Jasper?" He smiled. "Jasper will suffice, Julee. It is, in fact, your birthday tomorrow. If my research is correct, you with turn 13 years old." My mouth fell open. 13. It had been seven years.

Seven whole years. Of my life.

Jasper put an arm around me. "Never mind Julee, you still have plenty of time left, and I promise you will never go back to that place. I'll make sure you're never Cold again." I nod. I am so tired. Basically thirteen I may be, but Jasper is still very strong. Using both arms, he picks me up and carries me down the street, where I fall asleep after the overwhelming events of the last five minutes. A new world takes quite a toll on the senses. My dreams were colourful and loud, and the Cold waited patiently in the dark shadows of my tender and taunted mind.