Amy's POV
All I remembered doing was skating with fluid moments that put my body in such a trance that I couldn't stop. It had been so long since I last skated like this. I was actually surprised I could still do it. Last time I even took step on ice was five years ago. That was right. Today was the five year anniversary since I lost her. It still pained me to this day.
Perhaps it was because I was deep in thought about what happened that I lost balance and fell onto the ice. Pain shot up my spine as soon as I hit the solid water and I bit my lower lip with great force. "Owwwwww." I sang, rolling onto my side and rubbing my lower back. Skating like that wasn't a good idea if I was rusty. I should have just stuck to the basics but noooooo I just had to get ahead of myself, huh? Well there's my lesson of pushing things too far. I also shouldn't have done this when it was barely two in the morning. Here us teens complained about sleep but when we actually had time for it, we refuse!
The thing was, I wasn't tired. Not at all. My eyelids didn't feel heavy, my body was full of energy, one would think I had only been up for five hours, at the peak of being awake. But last time I slept was about thirty-five hours ago, not that it was a record or anything. A lot had been on my mind and that prevented me from being able to close my eyes. I didn't want to have a nightmare.
I pulled myself off the ice and went back to my bag that I left sitting in the snow. If I didn't get home before sunrise, I was going to hear it from my dad. So quickly I pulled off my skates and replaced them with my sneakers that were beginning to fall apart. When I go shop for Christmas presents I should buy myself a new pair despite me thinking it'd be a waste. I loved these old shoes but I didn't want to end up walking to school without shoes. Did that before, wasn't a good day for me. In the end, though, me and all my friends had a good laugh, but still.
When I was done putting things on and away, I stood up and swung the thin backpack strap around my shoulder and once again rubbed my lower back. Maybe that fall wasn't entirely my fault. The wind had suddenly gotten stronger. This made me start laughing. No way would some invisible person be able to control the wind and knock me over. That idea was completely insane! I guess I just didn't want to face the fact that the embarrassing fall was all my fault.
I took a few steps away from the lake and took a moment to look around. I always loved this forest. Especially in winter. The tall trees stood proud and the frost on their branches shimmered beautifully even in the moonlight. I came here a lot when I was younger. I actually didn't recall why I stopped. Maybe I grew up? Perhaps I just lost my belief in its magic. Like I said, I didn't remember why.
As I headed back to the main road, I felt a shiver go down my spine, and it wasn't from the fall. It felt more like fear had gone through me and left me frozen in the process. I was strangely attracted to it. My head turned to the right where a rocky path led uphill. I knew what I was about to do may not be the best thing, but I was curious. I couldn't just let my imagination wander like that.
I threw my bag down at the base of a tree and began to make my way up the rocky path. As suspected, I became more frightened the more I went. It was like I was walking into the center of fear. But just as I found the top, the fear stopped and vanished. For what I was seeing, anyone would be scared, but mine all disappeared. Right in front of me, in a tiny clearing of trees, sat a broken down children's bed that looked like it had been sucked into the ground half way.
It wasn't the bed that kept my eyes, though, It was the dark man who was climbing out of it. At first it was just his pale gray hand that appeared, but out came an arm, then another, and then those arms pushed the ground so a head and torso appeared. Out came a man with a pointed gray face and a deathly look in his eyes. Despite his heavy panting and sweating forehead, he looked like he was strong enough to take the world in that moment.
By the time he was standing on the ground and patting himself free of dirt, I finally mustered the courage to speak up. "E-excuse me. Are you okay?" I said, taking a step forward. His head whirled around in my direction and his snarl turned into a grin of humor. He said nothing, however. "Were you buried alive? I didn't think there was a Mob anywhere near here but hey, guess I was wrong. Do you need me to call the police? An Ambulance?" I continued, worried out of my mind.
The man waved his hand at all my offers and continued to stare at me. "My dear girl, are you implying that you can see me?" he asked. His voice was deep and clear. It was certainly the voice of a man. I nodded my head and looked away. If I continued to stare he would know I thought he was just a bit crazy. A low chuckle came from his direction, "What a lovely surprise for my return. May I ask your name?"
"Amelia, but I prefer Amy."
"Amelia."
My eyes went back to him and now I was staring in amazement. This guy who just climbed out of the ground was very attractive, I'd admit that. And the way he said my name made my heart skip. Wait? What was going on? I looked away again, blushing madly.
There was a silence between us as he continued to look at me with both curiosity and humor. Was it weird for him to meet someone? Don't tell me he was some guy who stayed under his bed rather than go out into the world. That would just be a bit creepy despite how handsome he was. I really needed to say something or this situation would get worst. But when I opened my mouth, the wind got seriously strong and knocked my off my feet, but it sent the gray man flying into a tree.
I looked up and it appeared he was pinned there by someone, but nobody was there. The man rubbed his chin and began to laugh like a madman. "Why hello there Jack Frost." he grinned, "It didn't take you long to find me."
Now he was talking to himself.
"Wait, you weren't here because you sensed me coming." he pointed at me, "You were following her."
Okay, I was weirded out.
"How amusing."
Just who did I find?
