The Frost Queen's Curse (Book One)

Chapter Three

          Even when you snuff them out, humans seem to try and rise from the ashes.

          Bethany reached the forest, producing the hatchet with a stylish flip. She was going to survive, and some stupid snow wasn't going to stop her. Her first plan was the collection of firewood. To do so, she had brought the chest with her, now empty of it's earlier contents. Doing this would allow her to transport the chopped wood easily. She found her first tree, before beginning to chop away.

          She had never been the strongest individual in her village, but she definitely wasn't the weakest. She could remember countless competitions that she had been in as a youth, nearly 18 years ago, and how she would typically win, and have pride in that fact. She smiled, reminiscing on these memories as she worked. Soon enough, she had gathered a sufficient amount of wood, and sighed, wiping sweat from her brow. She replaced the hatchet, leaning down to lift up the chest.

          "Don't. Move." A voice called from behind her. Immediately, all movement in her body ceased. She was feeling a rush of mixed emotions, and needed to stop and process them. On one end of things, she had found another human, and that meant that there might be more nearby. On the other hand, this guy might be about to take her life, if she wasn't careful. So, she complied, her hands in the air.

          "You know, it's funny," The man started, "I find a camp, one that no one's been to, and decide to set up shop." Bethany could hear the man circling around, before he eventually came into view. He had furs on, presumably for warmth, and pretty average leggings. He was tall, about 6 feet, and had jet black hair, with emerald eyes that threatened to pierce through her, even quicker than the arrow loaded into the bow that was pointed at her head.

          "I stay there for a couple of great days, leave the camp once, and lo and behold, my stuff, along with the chest I stored them in, are gone. I see a tree fall in the woods, check it out, and catch the culprit red-handed."