Disclaimer from the Author:
Been noodling around some ideas and after editing I found myself finding a new way of telling the story that y’all have been reading. It’s a dumb experiment But is indeed my story and my concept. Wish everyone could see the picture of it.
With this I wanna write it more and draw it less, I worked way too hard on the drawing and did not put enough effort into the story so I feel this is a great way to re-introducing this love story, now in a different and more (at least for me) fluid reading.
Thanks again for the ones that stuck around…Sorry because I tend to do this often BUT… I will post the other one soon enough.
Thank you and Enjoy!
Chapter 2: A wolf cries
“You belong to me… every drop of energy… every tear… every breath belongs to me...” a voice said in the void. The touch of a cold dry hand passed over his cheek, he could not see a thing and could not open his eyes, but he felt a heavy weight on his chest, pressing more and more as he felt how the words kept being whispered over and over and over again in his ear almost like a mantra. The feeling was unbearable as he tried hard to wake up but the nightmare continued and seemed like it would never end. But almost as a switch was turned he opened his eyes and could feel himself again able to move, almost as an instinct he sat up breathing heavily.
He felt the sweat roll down his face as he saw his hands shaking in fear.
- more nightmares...- he said to himself. Frost sat in his bed, in the darkroom in his home, even when the home was rather cool, yet not uncomfortable, he still woke up completely drenched in sweat. He looked around the area trying to see if anything was out of place, but as always, everything stood like nothing had happened. He sat at the edge of the bed trying to gather his thoughts and remind himself like every morning for his entire life “It was just a dream… nothing more… nothing less...”. As he stood up he felt almost like he did not rest at all, he was indeed tired and it felt as of lately he had been feeling more off than usual. He sat there for a moment as he saw his hands still, his pale blue skin reflected a bit of the light that came from a little crack on the door, it was indeed morning. He slowly stood up trying to shake the eerie feeling as he passed his fingers over his long dark blue hair, he even tried to crack his neck a bit… he felt it stiff and tense.
- a bath – he said as he took his shirt off and let it fall heavy with sweat on the wood floor. As he walked down the room the wood under him creaked slightly as he started to undress and just get in the bath in the other room.
He sat on the warm water trying to relax for a moment, he could hear the drip of the water from the ceiling from all the condensation, over time it came down like little drops of cold water over him. The rustling of the branches scratched the roof of the old cabin. Even so, after that harsh night, he always felt secure in the water for some reason, he never had any bad thoughts of strange events in that place, hence why he spent a long time inside there for most times.
After some time he decided to get out and get changed and grab something to eat, as always the water gave him a bit of a push to do things, it was as usual his morning routine. It was needed, especially lately because of the lack of sleep. He did notice he looked a bit tired as he saw himself in the reflection of the water, he had some bags under his eyes and he did notice a bit of weight loss, but he tried to keep up with his days, trying to keep himself motivated, at least to keep on going.
After dressing up he managed to make something and sat in his little dining set. He sat in silence looking at his bowl of oatmeal, but he did not feel the urge to eat, he forced himself though to do so, he knew that if he didn’t he would not be able to even lift himself from that place. He ate slowly and did not even feel the taste of the meal, it just felt like gruel to him anymore. As he left his spoon in the bowl he looked again around his place, now that the fire was up he could notice the shadows of everything dancing around, as if the fire gave life to the room.
“I should leave this place, nobody needs me around… nobody cares if I am here or even if I exist,” he thought to himself as he looked lost into the bowl of half-eaten oatmeal.
- I need to leave this place… - he said. He stood up and started to gear up, he grabbed his boots and thick wolf pelt cape. He adjusted himself and looked around the room trying to find an excuse to stay here, but all he felt was emptiness. He opened the door, as the light blinded him a bit from the morning sun. His home was a cabin that was built on the top of a little hill that had a wall of pines covering the surroundings downhill. Seemed like the night before they had a good snowfall covering his usual trail to walk down and into the main road towards the village or anywhere for that manner. He took in the scenery, almost like a breath of fresh air even. He could see in the distance some clouds forming, but for most of the sky… it was just another beautiful morning.
- Another storm – he said as he started to go down the little wooden steps and started his way downhill. He felt a strange desire to go down that old road, he felt he needed to go to the old farm again. “Why do I need to do it every day?” he thought, but this time he let his feet take him where he needed to be. The old farm was his former home, but the place was abandoned by time, yet still as of lately at least he needed to be there.
As he walked closer to the pine tree wall he heard some rustling in the woods and saw a big white wolf come prancing at him. Frost smiled a bit as he got close to him enough to pet him – Hey boy – he said as he scratched his head and pressed its head into his hand with his tongue out almost like a puppy. They walked down to the main road which was a simple dirt trail, by its sides the pine trees covered the entrance to his home so it was a bit hard for anyone to know there was even a place nearby, he appreciated the privacy in time. As he walked down he took a left on what looked like an old road uphill, but it was noticeable there was no foot traffic of any type up that place. The snow covered most of it maybe by some spots that had directions to the farm, but if you where not familiar with the area you wouldn’t even know there was such a place. As the trail continued he saw the old arcs, or what was left of them that seemed like two old poles, and where the name would be it was broken down by time. Frost walked under it and saw the old plank that had a carved name, now rotten by the time it was even hardly anything written on it… just a rotten piece of wood covered in dirt and snow.
The area was barren, some little buildings were still noticeable but by the unknown eye it just seemed like a cleared area with broken down stone houses, and in the center of it all stood an old big building. Its walls are made of stone and wood that after the passing of the years turned into almost a charred black, as if it had been burned. But that was not the case, it only sat there by itself… and for Frost, it was almost like the family Tomb.
“Why am I here again?” he thought as he looked at the old building, he made himself headway into an old well that was in ruins just right in front of it, the stones fell from its sides and after years it was covered in dirt and snow no longer holding any type of water. Something inside the old abandoned building wanted him to come in as if it was inviting him constantly as if it had all the answers to his questions and doubts. But he also knew what went up inside that old wrecked-up place, how much blood was spilled on its floors and walls.
‘But you will find comfort’ it kept teasing him.
For years he ignored the voices in his mind, but as he grew tired and older the voice sounded clearer and closer, something that bothered him as time passed. Lately, he found himself doing this strange routine, waking up if not sweating by screaming. Day by day he felt like he slowly was spiraling into madness and he was already knee-deep in a depression that only had gotten worse, but what little he had of willpower at least made him eat and work himself to keep it at bay, but it seemed as of lately… his efforts where not enough.
He sat there for what felt like hours, the clear sky turned dark slowly as he sat there having an internal fight over whether he got inside or left the place. As he sat in silence just gazing at the dark building, his wolf companion looked up and stood slowly as his attention was pointed to a place near the forest near the farm's edges. As he started to sniff the air, he whimpered for a moment trying to grab the attention of his master that was lost in his thoughts. The big white wolf kept whimpering and as he started to feel uneasy he let a long and loud howl and with that having the attention of Frost, almost like a spell had been broken he finally turned towards him.
- What’s wrong? - he asked as he looked at the now very anxious wolf. Frost stood up to reassure him but before he could do anything he started to run into the fields. Frost followed him but stopped as he was getting a bit far away from him, but as his faithful wolf noticed him stopping he saw he turned to him and howled once more even louder almost like begging him “Follow me”. Frost stood as he looked at the sky, it was thundering, and he was hesitant to continue to pursue him, but the wolf kept howling asking for his attention and action.
- Alright – he said as he started to make his way towards him as fast as his body would let him. As he tried to keep up with him he noticed the heaviness in his body slowly leaving him, he felt faster and stronger for some reason so much that he kept to his quick step. After some, while he kept hearing the thunder and suddenly a strong lightning fell close to where the wolf was barking and howling like crazy, he even felt the earth shake for a moment almost making him hesitate about his next steps. He noticed a dim glowing light coming from that area and that attracted his attention, enough for him to start moving closer to the strange phenomenon. As he finally was standing before something he had never seen before in his lifetime.
In the clearing of the woods, in the center of the area floated a body of water. It resembled a bubble almost but he could see it was water because of the strange movement it did as it floated delicately over the snow-covered soil. He saw it in awe as he noticed that his wolf was sitting beside it looking at it not whimpering anymore, more like looking at what was inside. The water seemed murky and cloudy, its color almost like a light turquoise and inside it, he could see vaguely a figure that did not move. Something inside him made him walk close and make him take off his gloves, he had a great desire to touch it, he did not know if it was curiosity or something else. He lifted his right hand and gently put it on the body of water, it felt warm as he submerged his hand in the strange object.
- What is this? - he finally said as he inspected it. He took a deep breath and gently reached in, he could see a body inside and he wanted to touch it. When he felt something he could hold he pulled it close and he knew what he was touching and holding, as he slowly pulled it out he saw a slim hand that was rather limp, it was warm, and the contrast of his blue skin and it’s slightly tanned color seemed strange to him. As he inspected he tried to pull the rest of it, and as he did the hand reacted and held tight from him pulling from him, he noticed its desperation, and with his other arm held from the arm, pulled the rest of the body out.
With a swift movement, he pulled a woman gasping for air, with red hair and shinny. As he completely pulled her the body of water, almost like an actual bubble, popped making the rest of the water just vanish. His force made her fall over him as she was gasping for air, he was stunned still by whatever happened in those moments.
-Are you...-he tried to say something but before he could finish his thoughts, she let out a scream of terror as she pushed herself away from him. She was confused and in shock as she was still coughing and gasping for air as she was on her knees completely drenched. She finally started breathing and looked around shivering.
- where… where… where am I??? - she said in complete confusion. She turned to him, Frost stood slowly up trying not to alert her more, but as she saw him she dragged herself away.
- WHO ARE YOU?? WHAT ARE YOU???!!!- she screamed at him in shock as she looked at him.
- easy… - he said as he stood up and looked around – I’m not going to hurt you –
She looked around again as she held onto her purple cardigan, she started to notice the incredible cold that was surrounding her and she started to shiver. She slowly lifted herself from the snow, she felt it sticking to her leggings and making her legs cold, she still was looking around trying to make sense of it all. As she stood looking at the thick woods she suddenly felt a heavy fabric over her shoulders she quivered as he gave her his cape but he took a step back still holding his hands up.
- You seem cold – he said. She held to it still looking at him in fear. Frost was still in awe and suddenly he heard again the thunder, he turned up and noticed how it started to slowly snow. - We should move, and get you somewhere safe and warm… there is a storm coming soon – he said as he walked close to her and started to walk towards the clear where he came from. She stood there for a moment, but she knew that… “I have no choice...” she thought.
The trail was not really firm and still covered in a thick blanket of snow, she was having a hard time trying to put her steps in the right place, constantly slipping into the snow and rocks that were just all over the area making it hard for her to move any faster. Frost looked at her as she stumbled and without hesitation picked her up in his arms. She was stunned at how easily he just lifted her, almost with no real effort – just hold tight from me – he said, she held onto his shoulders as he adjusted her for him to move on ahead. As he moved she looked at him a bit closer, he was so strange to her, his skin blue it reminded her of those old Japanese folk tales of ancient demons, his eyes seemed strange as well what should be white in her eyes was a deep dark color on his and his iris was a green almost glowing color, not like the eyes she saw before her blackout.
Frost finally found himself back into the barren area of the farm and it was easier now to move faster.
- I can walk...- she told him a bit embarrassed.
- It’s easier this way, you don’t have the correct gear, and snow can be tricky – he said without losing his sight of the road. She looked around and noticed the strange abandoned area, trying to understand where she was, she looked at the sky covered in clouds as the snowflakes fell over them, she was still cold but … his body was warm and made it a bit more bearable.
They finally found themselves on the road, he looked around to see if anyone was indeed roaming but as usual there was no soul to be seen, he walked quickly and into the pine woods and after some moments they finally got to the hill. As he saw his home he took a deep breath, he felt a bit more safer in his privacy. She turned herself a bit to see the cabin over the hill and looked at the surroundings, also noticing the wolf that walked closely beside them not taking his eyes from her.
He finally put her down at the entrance of his home as he opened the heavy door from the cabin and let himself in, he turned to her and waved a bit his hand to invite her in. She stood in the doorway a bit scared but as she turned into the cold winter scenery she walked slowly inside of his home.
- Come in boy – Frost said to his wolf that was standing outside, but he only turned and laid in the front of the door, almost like guarding it. Frost shrugged and closed the door behind him as he looked at the strange girl who was standing right in the middle of his room.
She looked at him still holding his cloak tight, he did notice she was shivering still.
- Stand by the fire, it’ll help, and try to keep your main core warm – he said as he pulled her gently near the fire. The fireplace was rather big, it seemed like it was built from gray stones that over the years of fires tinted in black from the constant burning of wood. A pot for cooking hung from a hook and other pots as well. She felt the warmth of the fire in her hands, he gently took the cloak from her trying not to startle her in any way.
- Thank you – she said to him. He nodded his head as he walked swiftly into another room on the back, she stood there as she rubbed her arms from the cold, she still felt her clothes wet as she was still processing what just happened, it seemed like a blur to her even as she passed her hand over her forehead. She looked around the place, it was a cozy area. In the center, there was a diner table with two wooden chairs, and on a corner, a bed covered in some white sheets and thick furred blankets over, its pillow seemed like he just got up and left it as it was. On the other side, there was like a little bookshelf with books and other things. On the wall at the back, there was a door where he just walked in and she could hear some rustling in it making her curious about what he was doing. As she was looking he suddenly came back out from the shadows with some things in his hands.
- This is the best I got for the moment – he said as he offered what looked like a long-sleeved shirt with a thick fabric. She grabbed it and looked at him a bit confused – It’s better if you change those wet clothes, you can get sick and it’ll make only things worse. - he said as he took some steps back, she looked at them and looked around. - You can go to the room back there – he said a bit rushed, she walked slowly towards the room and pushed the door in, her eyes encountered what seemed a bedroom with a big bed, he had lit a lamp on one of the side tables illuminating the room. The place seemed different as if it was the master bedroom of some sort, there was also another door back in that place but she didn’t feel comfortable snooping around, so she placed the shirt over the bed.
“ok Nebbia… just change, everything will be fine....” she said to herself as she took the small backpack she had on her back. She took her purple carding that was a bit heavy and still wet, she took her leggings off as well they were not that wet but her feet indeed were still wet and cold, she could see them a bit pale and rose from the cold as she stood there barefoot on the room, she took her dress off and the rest of her clothes, she took the shirt he offered and put it over her, it was big and baggy on her but it did felt warmer, she thought it be a bit itchy but it was almost like cotton, the sleeves where so long they hanged and the shirt was long enough it got a bit over her knees. She set her dress on a little chair that sat on the side and her cardigan, hoping they would be dry at some point… at least for her to get back home, if possible.
She walked out of the room slowly he was making something on the fireplace, seemed like he was throwing some wood for the fire to light up, he heard the door open from the room and looked at her standing in the doorway again a bit confused, he looked at her feet he almost rushed to her looking at them, she was startled as he ran back in the room rustling again and as fast as he could he gave her some knitted socks and pushed her gently near the fire, he pulled a chair and let her sit.
- I didn’t know you were that bad from your feet! - he said in a concerned manner.
- oh..? -
- You can get frostbite, you don’t want that… believe me- he said. She got her feet close to warmth and felt the circulation slowly coming back to them.
- Thank you… - she said
- Just when you feel them warm enough put the socks on – he said as he finally took a deep breath and dragged the other chair closer to her, he sat as he let his body heavily fall in it. He looked tired and a bit overwhelmed.
There was a silence as they sat in that room the only sound that could be heard was the cracking of the wood in the fire, Nebbia kept looking at her feet as she moved her toes a bit but her attention was on the strange man that just, in many words, saved her. She finally put the socks on and adjusted herself in the chair sitting back as she pulled a bit the shirt so she could not show more than she should, but at that point, she was more worried about her situation.
- What is your name? - he asked as he rested his elbows on the wooden table, she looked at him and started to fiddle with her fingers.
- Nebbia – she only answered.
- I’m Frost – he said. Nebbia smiled as she bit her lower lip, she was trying to think about what to ask or what to say. - Where do you come from? - he asked, Nebbia looked at him and noticed that his expression was deadpan like he needed answers. She didn’t know what to answer.
- Earth? - she said trying to make sense, for all, she knew she maybe was not on the same planet, then again they spoke the same language or at least they understood themselves.
- Earth as in… the ground? - he asked as he pointed to the floor.
- as in...planet earth? - she shrugged – I mean… what is this place even? - she asked finally as she looked around.
- We are currently in the northern part of Winterland. Just on the edge of it. We are pretty far from any other region – he calmly answered.
- Winter...land? - she was a bit perplexed by his explanation.
- Yes, hence why is there only snow and cold -
- Like… Alaska? - she asked trying again with something she knew.
- Alaska? Is that… a village of some sort? -
Nebbia leaned into the table as she passed her hand over her face.
- how did I get here? - she asked herself as she started to feel panic feeling how her body started to shiver in fear.
- That was my next question… how DID you get here? -
Nebbia tried to make sense of the events from earlier, she sat there still shivering with her eyes locked on nothing trying hard to remember what happened, as she bit her thumb almost as a reflex.
- Hey, you… don’t have to explain everything right now.- he said as he noticed her genuinely rattled.
- It’s… just that it was so bizarre… so unreal that I don’t know if you would believe me. Then again… - she looked at him – you are… a blue-skinned person –
- And you are an Autumn folk, am I correct? – he said back.
- Autumn … folk? So there are people that look like me? - she said as she pointed to herself a bit stunned, in her mind she thought that everyone looked just like him, or of a sort at least.
- Yes, there’s really… not many of them here because of being so up north, but there are people that look like you. There are others but that’s beside the point. - he stood up and walked to the fireplace and grabbed a pot, he walked into a container and filled it with water – so just tell me what happened before you got here? - he put the pot near the fire, and she noticed it was a kettle.
- Right – she took a deep breath and started to recollect her former night, trying to remember any strange detail - I was… with a friend walking towards a party to meet with some other friends. When I got there I… just didn’t feel like going in and I just left the place. But… when I went back, just when I got near the bridge near the river in downtown, I stopped and waited to see if any of my friends noticed that I left, asking me… why did I leave. – she could hear the kettle bubble softly with the heat of the fire – and… they never did come to me, but there was someone or something – she said as she curled holding her legs close and lifting them in the chair almost like an instant reflection to protect herself.
- What was it? - he asked. The kettle kept bubbling and made a little tin sound as it was heating up, almost as if it was building up as she was recollecting her story.
- A man, a… a man that I saw earlier actually, at first I thought it was my imagination but, when I was heading home I saw him twice like… stalking me. But it was so strange, he looked like… like a shadow man. -
- A Shadow man? What’s that? -
- like a ghost…? - she said – it’s hard to explain, he seemed like a shadow I couldn’t see him clearly at all, but when I was on that bridge he was indeed there. I tried to run but … that’s when I felt how they held me.- she grabbed her ankle and noticed the marks on them like a bruise as fingers pressed hard on her skin leaving marks - They pulled me from my feet and arms – she slowly lifted the sleeve from her arms to also show more of the bruises of a deep marked hand on them, probably when it held her tight. She started to breathe deeply as she remembered the feeling of being helpless and submitting to whatever force was holding her to its will. - he only said… that it was the only way… and then I fell into the river. I felt how they pulled me in, I didn’t think the river was that deep but, at that point, I wasn’t in my world anymore. I wasn’t thinking of anything I was just floating, like if time stopped – she pulled the sleeves back down and curled again. - right after I was pulled out, I had images flashing in my head…- she looked at him, she was visibly terrified – I vaguely remember… screaming, crying… laughing something like… a dry laugh. And the worst was those green glowing eyes from a distorted face. -
Frost looked at her almost in shock, the way she explained everything made his skin crawl, and her fear was infecting him. The kettle suddenly started whistling making them both startle from it. He quickly stood up and grabbed it.
After some moments he served her some tea, the smell was nice with a familiar scent, he gave her a tea cup that was a bit rustic but she didn’t mind it.
- it’ll calm you down – he said – it’s just lavender… should help you sleep – he said. Nebbia grabbed the tea cup and looked at the liquid, the smell was nice something that she would have drank back at home on a cold night.
- I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done for me…- she said.
- It’s no problem - he said as he started drinking from his cup.
Nebbia looked at him, and as she paid more attention she noticed he looked exhausted, even when she had never seen him before, even as a person with that skin tone. His eyes looked very tired as well. His hair was long almost to his shoulders but it looked not well cut, there were little hints that he had been not taking care of himself, but who was her to judge… maybe that was the way he looked, but it seemed like something was wrong. The whistling of the wind outside made her jump a bit, she never heard wind so harsh.
- Oh, sounds like a storm huh? - she asked as she looked over and took a sip of her drink.
- Yes, it’ll be a tough one. But at least you are under a roof. Again count your wins. - he looked at the ceiling a bit and at every corner, like looking for weak spots.
- Is your doggy gonna be OK? - she asked.
- Doggy? -
- The… dog? - she pointed outside – the one that was following us here.-
- You mean Fang? Oh, he’s a wolf, he’ll be fine… he just wanders here and there. He has his place, I’m just an acquaintance. - he drank a bit more of his drink almost finishing it up. Nebbia drank hers slowly as she looked around in silence.
- So you live by yourself? - Nebbia asked a bit curious.
- Yes, it’s just me – he said as he stood up and took a pitchfork to move the fire up a bit.
- a bit lonely in a place like this – she said as she felt some mutual feeling in how he felt.
- It’s for the best – he said as he stood looking at the fire.
- What do you mean? -
Frost didn’t answer, he seemed lost in his thoughts as he stood there, just lost looking at the fire. He turned to her after some moments, realizing he spaced out, he then walked to the bed and started to arrange it a bit, Nebbia followed him with her eyes a bit curious but she was still looking around the room, the sound of the wind was a bit unnerving for her.
- You can sleep in the bed, it is better if you do it here tonight. - he said as he looked at the door of the other room.
- where will you sleep? -
- I’ll just rest myself on the chair, I’ll be fine – he said, Nebbia looked at the other room.
- I can… sleep in the other room if you wish. I don’t...-
- No, it’s better here – he said abruptly, Nebbia was a bit stunned by his reaction. - sorry, it’s better here because the storm can make that room rather cold – he tried to explain, but his explanation felt a bit flat. Nevertheless, Nebbia agreed with him, she felt that it was better to not disagree, especially when she didn’t know him at all. Might as well follow his rules… avoid anything sketchy.
After some time she got in the bed, it was soft and cozy, she adjusted a bit as he went and turned the lamps off, only leaving the light of the flames in the fireplace to softly show some light in the room. He grabbed the two chairs and arranged them for him to lift his feet and grabbed a spare blanket to keep himself warm. Nebbia felt rather bad that she was taking his room but as the place turned darker… she did notice a bit of a strange vibe on the place, a bit of heaviness even. As she looked at the other room it did look a lot darker, like… complete lack of light. There was some strange reason for him to not let her be in that room.
- Get some rest, tomorrow I’ll see how we can help you out but for now… rest – he said as he crossed his arms and held the blanket over him. Nebbia got under the covers, but she did not feel that sleepy still, Frost set his attention on the fireplace, like a moth looking for light in the darkness. She pulled a bit more the blanket and curled under it holding the pillow. She closed her eyes, trying to not think too much about what was going to happen, for now, she indeed needed the sleep, it felt like it was a couple of days since she did not sleep at all and her body felt it. Her body relaxed and she suddenly fell asleep. Frost kept a light look on her for the start of the night, he did notice she fell asleep and that made him relax for a moment. His mind was trying to figure out what would be the next step but the tiredness slowly dragged him into sleep. He limped in the chair as he leaned a bit forward, even when it was such an uncomfortable position he was so famished he just slept like that.
HEY, you made it!
If you are interested in reading the old version here is the button for where to begin! Also check the last chapter as well!
Thank you for reading please check out my portfolio with more artworks for the current and future stories!
Thx again and see you around, don’t miss any updates and subscribe, it’s free and it will help the story to move around.