Thunder could be heard, almost like it was far away but the lightning could still illuminate a bit through the windows of a long almost endless hallway. The wooden floors creaked a bit as the cold and humidity made the wood expand a bit. An argument can be heard in one of the farther away rooms…
-Why are you leaving me… did … did I do something to offend you? - a voice of a woman said.
- This is not about you – a mans voice answered – You need to understand I have to do this… -
-You are ordered to… if you really loved me you wouldn’t leave me like this! - the voice of the women got agitated. Steps can be heard from one side to the other of the room…
- Don’t be like this… - he said almost broken by her words.
- Please I’m begging you, don’t leave me like this…Just take me with you… please – she said whimpering.
- Where I am going I can’t risk your life… Just for once understand. I am doing this for the both of us - steps where heard as the man opened the door and closed it behind him hard,he stood for a moment resting himself over it as he heard the woman sobbing. He had second thoughts at that moment, but he gave a couple of steps away from the door when she suddenly pressed herself to the door and pronounce the last words he heard from her.
- I won’t be here for you if you leave me now… -
He stopped without looking back and then started walking away from the door, darkness covered the hallway slowly as the woman cried silently.
Nebbia suddenly woke up almost gasping for air. She sat up slowly as she passed her hand over her forehead then her chest… her heart was beating fast… “what a weird dream” she thought. She turned around looking at the room: it was still dark, she could still hear the wind whistling outside from whatever storm was over them. She turned to her side as she felt a heavy body. Fang slept soundly beside her just cuddled in a big ball of white fur, she smiled a bit as she passed her hand over his thick fur. She laid back and covered herself again with the blanket she lifted it a bit and remembered.
- Should… get some clothes on me – She said as she blushed a bit. The mere thought of him undressing her just made her hit herself in the forehead “Oh MY GOD!” she thought as she looked all over for her backpack. She saw her backpack just laying on a side of the bed, she got out of the covers and instantly felt a bit of the cold.
-AHHGGG so cold!!! - she ran to the bag and grabbed it as quickly as she could and jumped back as fast in to the covers, surprisingly the backpack was still dry and everything inside as well.
She opened it up and found some sweat pants and a long sleeve shirt. She dressed up and putted an extra pair of socks she had in also… - Oh so much better – She looked around the bedroom. There wasn’t much, the bed mostly was part of the room, it was shifted to the wall, it made sense if he was the only one living there. No windows just the one over to the sky… there was something pretty about it, maybe if it wasn’t that cloudy the moon would show herself illuminating a bit the bedroom.
She finally decided to get up, not without dragging the blanket with her, as she did she woke up the big wolf that felt the blanket being pulled under him. She walked out the room as she pushed the heavy door. She walked in to the main room...
The home was small but it seemed more spaced than she thought. The fireplace was illuminating most of the area, it had a small area for cooking that had some pots and pans. A small table with a couple of chairs was set in the middle, she could see a cup with some sort of liquid in. As she walked a bit she noticed there was another single bed in the room, it was unmade like if someone was just sleeping in it and got up. A little bookcase with a bunch of little books all stacked together neatly, on top of it a couple of wooden carved animals.
Fang jumped in the other bed and looked at her while she was wandering the place, the wind kept on blowing outside making the door shake a bit as the wind was harsh and strong… She did noticed there weren't any windows to any sorts to see outside… which made sense giving the weather here.
She walked in to one of the chairs and sat for a moment looking at the place, she felt a bit of the vibe that place gave… and it was rather lonely. It was a strange window to the life a man that was just by himself… she felt oddly apologetic because she lived the same way. She lifted her legs and covered herself with the blanket as she focused on the fire.
-I hope everyone is ok at home… - she said to herself as she held tight to the blanket.
The storm was getting more intense, the library was full of cobwebs and the smell of moist of the books overwhelmed the little room. On what it looked like a desk several candles where lit on it, the wax of them dripped all over it making everything covered in the waxy substance.
A light sigh was heard on the back, sitting back in a big leather chair was a man with a shabby look, his gray reddish hair was long and undone in a pony tail, he wore what it looked like a yukata on dark colors, in his hands he had a book with strange drawings and letters.
-This just makes no sense… why am I even feeling like this all of a sudden – he said in the silence of the room. He threw the book in to a pile on a corner. He just didn’t care for what he had in hand. He stretched as he felt his back crack hard and turns his chair towards the library screeching in the wooden floor echoing in the empty room, he felt like there was something happening but he didn’t quiet figure what…
- I wish premonitions or whatever this is was a lot more clearer to understand because this is just ridiculous - he got up, trying to crack his neck while checking his books. On another side of the room there was a table full of glowing stones and gems that brought some little colorful light out on the room, some of them if you could keep quiet enough could make a slight humming sound from them.
- Oh for fucks sakes!!! I need to just RELAX, maybe some tea is sufficed - suddenly one of the crystals started vibrating aggressively , his eyes turned slowly, he moved his messy hair from his face as the crystal kept vibrating and suddenly explode in to a red orange light. His eyes widen and he had a smile, like if that little strange event meant actually something “AT LAST!” he thought.
He ran quickly out adjusting his yukata as he opened the door of his home; outside Frost was screaming and knocking at the door of a building across the street from him.
-DAD OPEN UP !!! - he screamed. As the door opened revealing a tall man of blue skin and dark hair.
-FROST!! IS SHE HERE??!! - he screamed from across the street. They both turned towards him. As he revealed it was a tanned skinned man, his gray reddish ish hair blew in to the wind as he stood in his door way.
Nebbia made herself comfortable in the single bed, the rooms was a lot more warmer compared to the other one. She drifted after a while, the sound of the wind and the casual crack of the wood in the fireplace made her just drift away in a comfortable sleep.
She suddenly opened her eyes and slowly sat back on the bed again, it seemed like it’s been hours since he left… she was starting to feel a bit worry. She just sat there in silence still holding on the blanket. For some strange reason she was not copping still with what was happening, because time felt strange almost like a dream. It was hard to grasp on time really if you couldn’t know if it was night or day… she kept thinking to herself “ Maybe I am asleep, maybe I did get in to the dorm at charlies place...or maybe Sean did put something in my drink and this is just a bad trip from whatever drug he put in me”.
She passed her hands over her face, it felt real… Fang was asleep again beside her, he didn’t leave her alone even in that small bed. She passed her hand again over his fur...-it’s so real...- she said to herself.
But suddenly she started hearing steps outside the door and voices, she stood up slowly hesitant in going to the door, the sound of the wind had stopped so maybe the storm settled… she walked towards it and as she opened the door outside it got even more quiet and calm. She opened it and outside it seemed like it was near a cliff and on the edge of it there was a woman in a white dress, the moon shinned over her as the wind blew her long black hair. Nebbia felt an intense terror, she held from the door tight, her body shivering uncontrollably not from the cold… but from the fear she felt. The woman slowly turned towards her, she couldn’t see her face clearly because she was so far away… and Nebbia didn’t plan on getting any closer.
The woman started walking towards the house slowly, and as she did she walked and stumbled in the deep snow. Her face started to look distorted and deformed… smiling in a very disturbing way. Almost as she blinked the woman was now suddenly right in front of her holding her from her face with her boney fingers…
-No… please… - Nebbia begged as the deformed woman held her so tight it hurt her.
-YOU SHOULDN'T HAD COME!!!!- she started screaming, her screech sounded like nails scratching a chalkboard, it hurt deep in her soul almost.
Nebbia started to scream and push her away desperately “ Why is this happening to me??” She thought as she was trying hard to try and wake up, if this was any type of dream she was stuck in. She finally was let go as the woman slowly vanished, just leaving the door open with the cold wind coming in… Nebbia curled on the floor under the table looking at the door as she trembled in horror of what just happened.
- No more please… no more...- she kept saying to herself as she slowly passed out…
-Nebbia? - she felt herself being held, she opened her eyes as her sight started to focus. Frost lift her up from the floor, he picked her up carefully. - Are you ok? - he said as he held her in the floor. He slowly picked her up and put her gently in the bed.
-Let me check her – an older looking woman putted her hand over her face, she passed her hand over her neck and behind it. The older woman had a paler tone of blue in her skin, her eyes where blue and she wore a thick dress, her long dark wavy hair was tide up in a pony tale with a red scarf covering part of her head.
- She is burning up… was she this bad when you left her? - she asked as she kept checking her up.
-No, she was just fine… she had some food and left her to rest – the woman took over as she checked her body if there was any bruises. She could see some scratches over her cheek...recent ones.
- She is in shock… she needs something to ease up that fever -
The older woman took her bag and started to stir up something inside it as she walked to the table and took out some little bottles and other things. The woman started applying some ointments and gave her some drops of some of her vials. Nebbia kept complaining and talking in her fever… The woman putted a cool cloth over her forehead so she could get her body temperature stable. After a moment Nebbia started to come out of the shock, slowly but surely.
The woman smiled at her.
-Good girl, you feeling a bit better? - she asked with a reassuring smile.
-Yes, thank you...- she said still laying on the bed.
-My name is Pris, I’m Frost’s mother...are you doing ok? Is there anything that hurts or you need me to attend to? - she said as she putted her hand over her cheek checking on the scratches.
Nebbia sat slowly up and passed her hand over her head – I guess just a slight head ache… I do feel some pain in my arms...– she showed her arms, there was a couple of bruises but no cuts.
-That’s not bad, they don’t look serious – she looked at Frost that was standing behind her – But, Frost… you need to address this tomorrow as soon as possible… You need to tell the elders about this - she turned herself towards Nebbia and held her hand – You’ll be just fine it’s just a slight fever probably from everything that just happened to you, try and keep warm and eat as much as you can. Frost give her liquids… it’s all I can do for the moment -
-I will, thank you mom – He said genuinely grateful. Pris stood up and grabbed another bag she left in the entrance of the home, she got some clothes for her, she laid them over the table and smiled at Frost.
- I think this will work, the walk over town is long and it will be cold for her, if she is not adjusted to this climate – she set also some boots on the floor and folded the bag putting it neatly on her bag where her medicines where – I will head back by my own darling, she seems alright for now but keep an eye on her, like I said lots of fluids and food always lifts the energies… tomorrow you bring her home and we can sort it with the elders, they may know what can be done – She said as she slowly walked to the door.
-You sure you don’t want me to accompany you?- Pris smiled and caressed his cheek.
-I’ll be fine… I’ll take your dumb wolf with me – as she patted her leg Fang stood up and without even hesitating he stood beside the door. It seemed like a normal activity for him, it was his job after all to keep whatever Frost needed to be protected.
- Ok, just be careful – he said as he walked her to the door.
- Can you walk an older lady at least to the edge of the forest?- she said in a sweet manner, Frost frowned and looked at Nebbia as he closed the door behind him. There was an obvious talk she was going to have with him… she was never this sweet with him.
As they walked down the trail she finally said – She seems to not be evil… such a nice energy she emanates… but-
Frost though “ there it is… the BUT”
- Something evil surrounds this home… - Pris said as she turned towards the cabin on top of the little hill. - Is it always like that? Or … is it just her presence?- she asked completely concerned. Frost looked at her and looked at his home. He didn’t want to answer, he stood there looking in total silence.
- You can always come back you know?- she said to him as she held his hand tenderly. Frost turned to him, he smiled slightly and turned back up the trail.
-I’ll take her home tomorrow morning, be careful Mom – he said as he walked away slowly up the hill. Pris looked at him sadly and started her walk back home.
Frost closed the door behind him. He stood there for a moment as he undid his cloak and looked at Nebbia. She was checking the dress, it was a purple long dress with some white fur on the cuffs and neck.
- Are you feeling better?- he asked as he took his cloak in to a hook near the door.
-Yeah, just… it’s been … -she cleared a tear out of her cheek. Frost looked at her, felt a bit of pity on her.
-Want… to take a bath maybe? - he said – that will make you feel better, that usually helps me out when I’m overwhelmed –
The bathroom was like an old Japanese bath, a wooden tub was set on a side and you would see how the water had a special area for it to be warmed up. The temperature was nice and warm, you couldn't even feel the cold from the exterior, almost like a bath house.
Nebbia sat on the warm water, it felt good to get a bit cleaned after everything that just happened. She passed some water over her face, it was a weird sense of security being inside that place. She saw her skin full of tiny bruises, as she passed her fingers she remembered the ghostly hands holding her up and throwing her in to the dark cold waters just right before waking up in this strange place. They hurt a bit as she pressed them… they will heal she thought.
She wet her hair a bit and took a deep breath. She stood up from the tub and grabbed a cloth she was given to dry up. As she dried up she felt a bit better, even when she had a fever… she felt like new like if the water just cured her ailments… but the bruises where still there.
She dressed back on her sweatpants and shirt as she got out of the bathroom. She peeked out, Frost was sitting back on his bed on the main room, he look like he dozed off while she was in the tub. She tip toe towards him, she stood in front of him, he was so tired and with reasons. She wanted to say something to him, there was something moving to see him just sitting back exhausted “ I’m sorry, but thank you for saving me...” she thought.
She covered him with the blanket and sat beside him, she rested her head on his shoulder… it didn’t really woke him up. She closed her eyes and whispered – good night...-
The night went quiet, Frost woke up suddenly… he passed his hand over his forehead and stretched a bit till he felt the weight on his legs. Nebbia was sound asleep laying her head over his legs.
He sat there a bit motionless not knowing really how to react. It was very quiet and awkward for him, but he looked at her closely for a moment, her red bright orange almost red hair covered part of her cheek. He softly moved them from her looking at her face clearly now… he never really got to see a Fall Folk this up close… her skin was strange for him, but all in all… he thought she was rather pretty. He tried to move a bit so he could adjust her to a pillow “she might not be that comfortable there” he thought, as he did she moved putting her hand near her face. Some of her shoulder was exposed from the baggy shirt she was wearing he could see the bruises on her arm … they did look like hand gripped to her skin, it looked painful even. He caressed her cheek, she felt warm but not with a fever. She suddenly opened her eyes slowly… as he moved his hand quickly from her, he blushed a bit as he looked the other way-Oh I’m sorry...- he said.
She didn’t say anything, she pushed him back in to the bed falling heavy over him… she was still asleep, she mumbled some things as she just fell on his side and held from him tight completely and deeply asleep.
Frost was frozen, he could feel his face warm, she looked at her as she was laying beside him, her breathing was soft and calm. He tried to get up but just adjusted his pillow and pulled the blanket over both of them, he felt like this was ok.
“ just for tonight… she needs to rest” he thought as he left himself drift in his tiredness…
COMING SOON CHAPTER 4
Thank you for reading!
If you want to check the little prelude Check it here!
Check The last Episodes here!
Check for updates of artworks and other stuff on my twitter - X and my streams on Twitch!
I’m curious if I wanted to read this with music do you have any recommendations. I only ask because while traveling I found it hard to concentrate on the story with background distractions.
I just noticed each chapter has a subtitle and I really like that. It’s like a hint or sneak peek without giving anything away! I will probably keep saying this but I love the imagery of the scenes you paint. Like lighting illuminating the windows down a long dark hallway!!! Just magical!
I can’t believe that I’m on chapter 3 and this story is still shrouded in mystery. I’m trying to figure out how all the characters fit together. I love Fang! I also loved the scene with the table with glowing stones and gems… did I mention the imagery??? Beautiful drawings as always! This chapter ended to quick I love seeing the tension but obvious chemistry that Nebbia and Frost have.