Cold

Chapter Twelve

The woods were cold, very cold. It felt like we were walking through an iceberg to our death. No one has said anything for hours since I told them what she said. Seth did, but he was mostly just yelling at me for even believing her. When I told him that that's why we are going to the mountain, is to find out what's true and what's not, he shook his head and walked with Ariel. He didn't say anything since.

"So..........these woods are cold, aren't they?!?" I asked, breaking the mold. Or at least, trying to. No one even looked at me.

"Seth, how did you meet Ariel?" I asked. That question has been on my mind since we got out of the village. Still, nothing. This silence is killing me. If they won't talk to me, how do I tell them about Lucas?!? I have to tell them at some point. I stopped walking.

"Listen guys. I know this is alot to take in, and I probably shouldn't be trusting her. But I'm not. All I am doing is going to the mountain for answers. I'm not even sure I trust the mountain. All I know is that you guys are my friends, and I need your help to figure this out" I said. They continued to walk. I caught up with them and stood in front of them. "I want to end the Cold and this endless loop. I want you guys to get answers. I want answers. Please just talk to me."

"How could you betray the mountain after everything she's done for you?!?" asked Seth.

"First, I didn't betray her - if that's even possible. Second, she technically hasn't done anything for me except trap me in my own head, poison me, and lead me to you. Which only one of those was a good thing" I explained.

"Why are you leading us to the mountain of all places?!?" asked Von.

"I told you. We all need answers, and since she won't talk until we do, the mountain is the best place to go" I said.

"Why would you even want to talk to her again?!?" asked Seth.

"Whoever she is, she's most definitely better than the mountain" said Von. He's challenging Seth, and I know that this conversation will go south pretty fast.

"How do you know?!? Have you ever even been to the mountain?!?" asked Seth.

"The mountain took away my family and from what I hear, damned my life so I would live it over and over again" said Von. Upon saying that, Seth ran up and tackled Von. They were punching each other, kicking, scratching, everything that you can do in a fight really. Ariel was yelling at them to stop, and Justin was just yelling advice to both of them. I walked up to them and threw Seth off of Von.

"ENOUGH!!!" I shouted, but not with my voice. "How dare you disobey Summer?!?" What the hell?!?

"Summer, listen. You can't let her take over you. Fight her" said Seth.

The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, surrounded by everyone.

Seth said, "Stay with us, Summer. Stay with us."

***

I woke up in a dark place. I felt a cold wind crawling up my spine. A voice wimpering in the corner. I sat up. I was wearing chains on my wrists and ankles. My clothes were tattered, I was covered in scrapes and bruises. I looked to the corner. There I saw a little boy I have never seen before, yet he looks so familiar. He was crying. He had a broken nose, and a bruised eye. His lip was quivering.

"Are you ok?" I asked. He didn't say anything.

"Where are we?" I asked. Still, the little boy said nothing. I stood up and began walking. My reflection in the puddle of water from the leaky roof caught my eye. I was me, except a much smaller, younger version of myself. I was a child in a reflection of a world I did not recognise. The water began swirling, and I found myself back in that field with the orange flower. Except this time, there was a rainbow of different coloured flowers, with the orange flower the only one of its kind. It looked so lonely, yet it looked like it was at home.