Bleak Hearts

Bleak Christmas

Octavia Alma Ìde 13th April 1793

Spyder Eoin Becket 13th Feburary 1807

Octavia couldn't seem to take her eyes off him, he'd been so perfect when he was born. Such tiny fingers but she had had to watch his mother die, her sister. At first she could hardly believe who the child was but it somehow made sense. Taking in a breath she stood from her sister's grave, taking Spyder's hand in her own. He was young, so much younger than her but she couldn't raise him. He didn't understand why but he felt it too. He would often come up to her in the night, stuffed bear in hands and whisper. 

"is it time to go?" 

He'd then stare a while before wandering off. It spooked the hell out of Octavia but at the same time she understood it. Spyder held his head tight at his aunt's side, staring at his mother's grave before the two walked out of the cemetery.

The house was rather simple but they weren't poor. The city of Belfast was a lot smaller than it is now and was home to the small family. Octavia lived with her father, two brothers and of course Spyder and with Christmas growing near, they would be joined by her other sister who lived not too far with her own husband. It was always quiet in the house, even Spyder rarely made a noise. He had a cold stare in his eyes as though he knew something was wrong and he knew how to fix it but was too young to understand.

For now the young boy sat with his toys, playing with his bear despite its strange lack of eyes. Octavia watched him from the kitchen table, fingers tapping on the old oak wood. She felt guilty, but not for this Spyder. She knew she was doing right this time, she had a plan that was going to set everything back on track again. Her smirk hadn't let up the entire the entire afternoon of the Christmas Eve and she didn't think it ever would. Her father would be home any time now and they had to leave before then. 

"Spyder... it's time to go..." 

She called to the boy. His face lit up as he bound over, gripping the bear tightly by his paw. His hand slipped into Octavia's as the two headed out into the cold night air. Octavia held the young boy close to her, the bear pushed between their chests.

"it's gonna be ok Spyder, we'll get it right this time" 

She muttered as she trudged through the thin sludge. A whispered apology left her lips, a gentle kiss laying on his head as she trudged on. The cold made him tired and Octavia was starting to have a hard time carrying him but soon the clock hit 12 and it was Christmas day. The chimes from the church tower made Octavia laugh a little, it didn't help that she was over tired and in a second she had lost her footing and smacked her head on the ice.

She woke and rubbed her eyes, a mere few minutes had passed but neither Spyder nor the bear were in sight. Octavia threw herself to her feet, brushing snow and sludge off her cloak as her eyes hastily surveyed the darkness.

"Spyder?... SPYDER!?" 

She called out for the boy and was returned with a very quiet and frightened call.

"Octavia!..." 

She jumped and ran towards a small bridge that overlooked a now frozen river. Spyder sat in the middle of the ice, fear across his face as he gripped the bear. 

"SPYDER!!" 

She screeched, running over the bridge so she could get to the bank. The ice was starting to crack under the boy and even as Octavia stepped onto it she too could feel it . It could break at any second and send the two to a very icy death.

"it's ok Spy, I'm coming" 

She called to calm him. Spyder was sure his tears would freeze to his face but mustering what little courage a twelve year old could, he stood to his feet. Wobbling and shaking as he tried to steady himself. Not the best idea as a thin fracture suddenly shot out from beneath his shoe and he froze in place.

"Is it time to go?" 

He asked quietly making Octavia stop. One long crack reached from Octavia's shoe to Spyder's, then another and another. The ice was breaking even when the two were perfectly still.

"Yes" 

She whispered as he held out the bear to her. Octavia grabbed hold of the other paw just as the ice went from underneath them. Neither struggled as the cold water surrounded them. Their hands couldn't even let go of the sightless bear as the pair began to slowly sink. The ice was practically paralysing, but they breathed in. Letting the icy water freeze their lungs, it was excruciating but they were too cold to move and just begged for it to be over. Bubbles of air slowly stopped reaching the surface as the swaying ice began to slow. The river was still once more, content with its frozen prizes.

Octavia Alma Ìde 13th April 1793-25th December 1819

Spyder Eoin Becket 13th Feburary 1807-25th December 1819