Rime Of Frost

visitor

Jane did not attend school. It was the second time she'd missed her classes. Another red cross on her attendance list and she'd have to make up more lies to tell Lucille and her father.

She forced herself to sit up. Scenes from last night flashed through her mind's eye. Like a slideshow, she replayed the scenes.

The fern patterned frost spreading across the windows of her bedroom. The small pile of snow on the living room carpet.

The boy. The boy. The boy.

She pressed her lips together, closed her eyes and murmured into the air. "I know you're here."

Though she did not see, though she did not hear. She knew he had appeared in her room. Materialized from the In-Betwix.

"Hello, Jane."

His voice - as soft as falling snow - carressed her. Still, she did not open her eyes. The air rustled with movement.

"Time is getting shorter now," the boy continued quietly. "We can't keep dancing around each other."

Jane opened her eyes and there he was. Tall and pale. He was an odd contrast against the colours of her room. There was a fine dust of white across his shoulders. There always was, Jane thought. It's always winter when he's around.

But the cold did not touch her. Jane stared at the ethereal being before her. His shock of white hair seemed to shine like icicles even under the dimness. His eyes were deep set, a swirling gray. Like snowstorms.

"How many.." The words caught in her throat but she gulped down the dread and unease. "How many have gone missing?"

"Three tonight," he said, gray eyes flashing.

Third time's the charm.

"You know they're not coming back."

Jane was quiet, silently trembling. Three children taken and here she was, safe and sound in the confine of her own room. "Why -?"

"You know why."

Then he smiled. It was white and sharp. There was no humour in it. "She will keep taking and taking. Until you come. Aren't you guilty? The blood of those children are on your hands. And more will be, the longer you decide."

"I can't. I'm scared," she said. "Please don't take me."

The smile remained fixed. "Oh, Jane. I have to."

She didn't have a chance to scream. He reached out with the cold, it pierced through her and everything went white.