It's surprising what human beings can accomplish when death is staring them right in the face. When things began plummeting, few knew how to react. Most were confused, seeking guidance from the very foundations and institutions that, once meant to h...
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Strong gusts of wind push against my body. The soft, white snow that surrounds me silences its normal whispers among the trees. I squint my eyes, trying to adjust to the gleam of sunlight bouncing from the blanketed forest. The air smells thinner, the falling flakes bringing with them the freshness of the mountains. Winter is everywhere and yet, I can't feel the cold breeze on my face.
I wiggle my bare toes against the sleek ice beneath my feet and on instinct, move towards the looming shadows cast by the two large mountains in front of me. Struggling to make sense of my surroundings, I spin around in a small circle, realizing I am standing in the middle of a lake. The soft vibrations of water beneath the solid ice bring my attention back to my naked legs, but I do not feel any numbness from the cold.
I tug on my shorts anyways, trying to provide myself some protection, when I notice the faint scent of fire burning in the winter draft. I squint again and under the shelter of the shadows, I can make out puffs of smoke in the distance, burning steadily as if from a chimney.
As I am about to move towards the mountains and the gray smoke, a heavy hand lands on my shoulder, rooting me to my spot. Startled, I clutch the hand forcefully and twist, positioning to defend myself. The unfazed green-gray eyes that stare back at me shake me out of my self-defense mode.
"Adelaide," Declan calls, relaxing my rigid posture. His voice comes out distorted, slurring over each syllable in my name. I blink at him, confused, when he points behind me with his free hand.
Further down the frozen lake, I can discern the silhouette of a lone figure, turned away from us. I hadn't noticed the figure before, its body and white gown camouflaged by the snow. The apparition turns to us and begins to gesture, beckoning us towards it.
I glance at Declan again, now even more confused, but the space he was standing in moments ago is empty. I spin around frantically and see his back moving towards the figure dressed in all white. I can't lie and say I am not curious, but my gut is telling me to run.
Declan's languid movements come to an abrupt stop and he turns the side of his face to me. He begins motioning towards the figure with a tilt of his head. He's waiting for me to go ahead of him.
Choosing to ignore the uneasy feeling in my stomach, I move down the ice slowly, inching closer to the figure. I eye Declan warily as I pass him, getting close enough to see her long, wild strawberry-blonde hair moving in the wind. I see her face, unchanged, and as familiar as my own.
"Mom?" I gasp and break out into a sprint, no longer caring if Declan is following closely behind. Tears sting my eyes as I glide my bare feet along the ice, trying to keep my balance and close the gap between us as quickly as possible. I get near enough to make out her easy smile and outstretched arms, but can't move any closer.
"Mom!" I cry, but it's no use. No matter how hard I pump my legs, I keep sliding back and forth in the same spot on the ice. The skin on my knees turns red from scrapping the floor, but I have to get up again. I am almost close enough to touch her. "Declan, help!" I yell, furiously wiping the tears streaming down my cheeks and reaching out a hand.
