A snowflake, tethered by some invisible attraction, falls with an unknown purpose to the lonesome village of Irnsdale. Within this village, people remain softly spoken and curfews remain strictly enforced, for no happiness will shine under the veil of the people's tainted past.
Rule One: No one travels alone.
Unlike her apprehensive friends, Mina lives for adventure, love, and freedom. It is always past the curfew when she constantly sneaks out quietly and alone to embrace a world of independence. However, tonight was different. Tonight had a purpose: to meet a particular woodsman, a childhood friend, a lover.
As the snow fell softly, little did Mina know that she would not be the only one sneaking out tonight. Her sister Lucy, a dark-eyed, straight-haired brunette in contrast to Mina's curly blonde locks and forest green eyes, also had a purpose that night. In her delicate pale hands, she clutched an envelope which encapsulated a letter, written and signed by her village crush who she had admired since the day he arrived in Irnsdale.
My dear Lucy,
I can no longer withstand the restrictions this village puts on my love for you. Days and days of have passed without you knowing that ever since I arrived and saw you kindly tending to a flock of sheep with your soft smiles and gentle laughter, I fell in love. With that being said, please run away with me. If you truly love me, meet me at the place where the evergreen lavenders and stacks of hay touch earth. If you do not come, I will know that this love was never reciprocated and, regardless, I will be gone by dusk the following morning.
Yours truly,
Tristan
On the other side of the woods, a very eager Mina makes her way step by step through the thickening snow that falls heavily through the sky. With a rapidly dimming lantern, she pulls the handle to her face for warmth and gradually slows her pace. However, from the corner of her eye, she sees a shadow.
Quickly turning around, she recognizes the small outline of the shadow's delay as it moves and hides from tree to tree. Limiting the 360 openness, she slowly backs up into a giant, elderly tree shielding her from behind so that her worries would only be focused on what was in front. As her back touches the bark, something jolts her from the shoulders, causing the her lantern to fall, crack open, and go out before the merciless wintry winds. Her heartbeat races as she cautiously begins to lift her dress to retrieve the small knife that hides within the padded contents of her boot.
In the pitch black darkness, the loud wind howls, but the blood-curdling screams of a woman echo louder.
YOU ARE READING
Of Blood and Snow
Manusia SerigalaA village lives in fear. Chained to its beliefs of sacrifice, the villagers offer their best livestock every full moon in hopes of keeping the beast at bay. For thirty years, the peace has been kept, but a sudden death deep into the woods with slash...
