Magic in The Woods

Chapter 4 - Mystery Skater

Winter means ice. And ice means skating. Which is exactly what I intended to do this season. It's been a few months since Kael first arrived at Forestial Primary School, and so far he hasn't been a bother to me at all--except for the constant questions playing in my head.

I couldn't help but wonder if that boy would change my aspects on life, death, and the existence of humans. I mean, it's possible, but I just did't know for sure. I sighed, I doubt it. If he was supposed to change me, he would've done that by now.

Getting up from my warm, cozy bed, I looked around at my spotless room, eyeing every detail of it: My bed was placed in the left corner of the room, with it's deep red quilt covers and a dozen pillows neatly placed on the soft mattress underneath. Next to it was a small bedside table painted a dark brown, with a small vintage lamp illuminating the entire room with it's dim glow.

Opposite the bed was a chest of drawers, filled with the darkest clothing imaginable. Only a few of the clothes had pure white or blood red designs, sewn by black widow spiders with their silky thread.

A small shoe rack sat beside the chest, with several pairs of black boots, block heels, slip-ons and one pair of white ice skates, looking almost brand new even though I've used them millions of times.

On the right wall of my room was a wooden desk with drawers containing various notepads, workbooks, and stationary. On top of the wooden surface was a towering pile of books I bought from the old ellerwoman* in the depths of Greybark, which was about a ten minute flight away from Forestial.

Opening the chest of drawers, I searched past my black clothes to a sparkling, short, cream dress and slipped it on, along with thin white stockings and short, fingerless gloves. Turning to the mirror next to me, I gazed at my other self, wondering if I'd keep this secret forever.

When I was three years old, I learned to ice-skate on the frozen lake that surrounded my house, practicing every day until the iceskating rink was built when I was ten. Since then, every winter I'd head down to the rink, tie my skates on and finally let my inner self fly.

Whenever I set my skates on the ice, I finally felt the comfort I craved for every minute of the day. It's like I was in my own little paradise of cold air, smooth skating and no magic.

I pinned my long black hair into a braided bun, tucking in all loose strands and spraying it with hairspray. Soon I was ready to go, so I grabbed my skates, threw on a black coat and strode out the door, wondering how many admirers awaited my arrival.

The small ice rink was just a walk away from Forestial Primary School, so everyone from school would always come and skate. I, however, only visit once a fortnight, which was just enough to keep people coming. I never intended to become a celebrity at the ice rink, but after hearing that it might close down, I just couldn't help but gain a few extra customers for the rink.

The ice rink was almost full, with very little room for those who always tripped over and clumsily flattened everyone in their way. Weaving through the shivering crowd, I entered the rink and skated to the dead middle of the icy oval.

A spotlight switched on and searched the crowd, who hastily skated off the ice. They all knew what was about to happen--it was almost like a routine.

I unbuttoned the hooded coat that covered my face in a dark shadow, and threw it across the rink wall into the crowd, who gasped at my sight and fought over who kept the coat. The murmuring voices soon turned to silence, with the occasional shuffle for a better view of my performance.

Soft, classical music played over the four speakers that surrounded the rink as I took off on the ice, skating fluently with the most graceful movements anyone had ever seen The mesmerised audience widened their eyes as I completed a triple Lutz, triple toe loop combination, followed by a smooth double axle, landing with one foot raised high up in the air.

Everyone cheered as I skated, and eagerly watched my entire performance. Finally I struck my final pose, not bothering to say "thank you" as I left the arena. I sighed and crossed my fingers, please tell me this is enough to keep the rink open.

Leaving the ice skating rink into the chilly winter air, I walked along the concrete pathway and ducked under the fence onto the frosty grass, blanketed in silvery water droplets. Watching if anyone were behind me, I crept behind a pine tree and held my glowing hand over the glittering dress.

The fabric started to vanish into thin air, while being replaced by layers of black clothing. As I inched my way down to my waist, my whole bodice was covered in a soft, purple, turtle neck sweater that ended just above the black denim jeans that were slowly appearing. My hands moved to the snow-covered ground and black, studded ankle boots were placed on my feet, numb from the freezing weather.

I shivered and quickly added a thick scarf, covering the bottom half of my face and muffling the sound of my slightly chattering teeth. It was colder than usual, maybe the coldest day in a few years. I couldn't tell why, but something--other than the winter breeze--gave me a tingling shiver down my already frozen spine.

Looking up, I saw a tall Maple tree with it's naked branches and sharp twigs, sticking out in all directions. Glancing from either side, I cautiously lifted one foot, then the other, until both feet were hanging above the ground, slowly rising to the top of the tree as silent as the gentle wind.

Once I reached the top, I perched myself on a thin branch and looked out into Forestial, covered in glistening white powder that appeared as though it was icing sugar sifted onto freshly baked pastries. The cool wind almost froze my entire body as I leaned my back on the trunk of the Maple tree, dangling my leg over the narrow branch.

It wasn't until I heard a loud, distant voice coming from below me, when my eyes widened in shock as I recognised the voice immediately.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

*An ellerwoman is a sort of fairy but completely hollow like her heart.