Warmth In The Snow

Chapter 1

It's cold...

I'm so cold...

Help me...

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My day wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The same as usual, not that I'm complaining. Nothing new happens around here, just the same old, "next stop" this and, "we have arrived" that. I'm content with the job I have as a conductor. During the winter seasons, more passengers board my train just to reunite with their family and loved ones for Christmas. I have no one to go home to, I live alone. By the time the train station closes, I occupy myself by clearing snow of the tracks.

"We're heading home now, see you tomorrow!" One of the workers yelled.

I nodded my head, "right. See you.." My co-workers were nice, they follow orders as told making my job much easier. As I proceeded to clear the snow off the tracks, it began snowing again. I can just wake up early to clear off the rest I suppose..

It's cold...

My head perked up to a faint, weak voice. No one is here at this hour except for me, I must be hearing things.

I'm cold...

There it was again, the same voice I heard... Maybe it was just a coincidence.

Help me...

It's not a coincidence. Someone's trying to contact me, I need to find out who it is. I began to patrol the area far and wide, I even went into the woods. It was pitch black and all I had was a lantern and my shovel. As I searched, I saw a glimpse of a faint glow in the distance. The light was coming from what looked like a boy, pale and dressed in black. Stitches covered his mouth, as if someone had forbid him from speaking. Snow that surrounded him were melting due to the amount of heat he was emitting. The weather was becoming more rough so I carried the boy in my arms and back to my place.

It's been a few hours since I found the boy, he still hasn't woken up. I already changed his clothes, cleaned his body, and waited until he woke up. He's body is a bit more stable than when I found him. I'm exhausted...

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I'm sick and tired of this place! I hate it!

If you hate it so much.. Then run. Run and don't ever come back until you've learned your place!

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Bright light began to shine in my eyes , I must've dozed off and woke up early. I looked up from the side of my bed to see the boy still peacefully sleeping. I got up from the side of the bed and made my way to the kitchen to make breakfast. While I was cooking, I got lost in my thoughts: should I take a day off today? I don't want to leave him at home, alone. Sound of small footsteps approached the kitchen and the boy showed up.

"Good morning," I smile at him. "I made breakfast, take a seat." Too tired to refuse, he sat down at the table and I gave him his food. I sat across from him and all he did was stare at his meal and did nothing else. "Need help?" He looked at me then looked back down and stayed silent. I heard the voice again, more clear this time. It was coming directly from the boy in front of me.

He said as he closed his eyes, "I can manage eating on my own..." He picked up the utensils and took a bite of his food. The spoon slipped through his stitches allowing him to eat. The boy noticed my staring and I instantly looked away. He went back to eating and so did I. To my realization, I still have no a clue what his name is. As I was about to ask, the boy in front of me spoke. "I know you're going to ask, my name. It's Victor." I stared at him in silence. "Are you going to tell me your name or do I have to play the guessing game to find out?"

"Sorry... I'm Andrew Kreiss," I muttered. After breakfast, I cleaned the dishes and Victor wandered his way back to my room. I finished up the last of the dished and stored them away, I heard a loud thud coming from the direction of my room. I saw Victor on his knees, one hand holding his head seemingly feeling some sort of pain. I hurried to help him up but I instantly let go due to the fact that his body was heating up intensely. Bearing his current body temperature, I helped him up and guided him to the bed where he laid down and went back to his unconscious state.

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Due to Victor's current situation, I called off work for today and asked for Emily's assistance. She is a doctor who I met a while back. "Ummm... Miss Emily, are you currently busy? I'm in need of your assistance."

Through the phone, she answered, "it's not like you to ask for help, it must be serious. Come over to my clinic right away."

I was troubled. I didn't have a car and it'll be difficult if we went on a tram with Victor still unconscious, I stayed silent.

"I'll come pick you up," she sighed and hung up. I looked over at the boy and felt his forehead, he's still heating up. His breathing became more unstable by the minute and I got worried. Emily arrived and knocked at the door. I opened the door and without a word, she stepped inside and felt my forehead checking my temperature. "Your temperature seems to be normal, so why exactly did you call?" I lead her to my room where Victor was. His condition is worsening by the looks of it and I didn't know what to do. Emily observed Victor and shook her head, "the boy is in terrible shape... Take him to my car, I'll drive us to my clinic." I nodded my head and did as told. I carried Victor bridal style, secured him in the back seat, went on our way.

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I have no clue how long has it been but I've just been sitting outside Emily's door. Inside, she was examining Victor. I felt inpatient... As i got up, about to knock on the door, she opened it and looked at me with a serious face. "His body temperature is incredibly high for a normal human being. He seemed to be doing alright now for the most part but... There is something off about that boy, he's not normal."

Emily walked away and I entered the room. Behind the curtain showed a silhouette with horns and without hesitation I moved the curtain out of the way showing a figure who I couldn't recognize. This person didn't look like the Victor I've known, he was different. That pale skin, crimson red hair. His eyes glowed bright fire. "You're not human are you?..."

He smiled, "Victor Grantz, a demon. Nice to meet you, dear human, Andrew Kreiss"