Frost was lost in his thoughts, he started feeling that familiar heaviness in his chest, something building in a very deep dark place in his heart. His thoughts were scattered… Most of them went back to that moment that was carved into his memory, one that he wished he never saw or wanted to be part of.
His view was in tunnel vision, it was just him on the road… his fists clenched hard, almost white knuckled. He wouldn’t hear anything, his legs were just moving on their own… “why… why this again...why????” he kept thinking, drowning his mind with all sort of thoughts and feelings of hate and fear.
After a while he found himself in that old road again.
The cross road of dirt was almost covered in snow, no one really pass there anymore, and how time passed by was very apparent.
As he started walking up the hill and even tho there was no real road he still remembered the way to the old farm. The snow was high and he could hear the snow crunch under his boots, even the hard crunch of ice that can be formed after a long time of snow falling.
Nobody really walked by that area after the old farm was abandoned and closed... as he just walked blindly he finally found himself in the entrance of the old farm…
An arch of wood, half-torn, still stood up. The name wasn’t any where it was just logs standing almost falling on their side. The silence was overwhelming… the only thing that you could hear was the wind blowing. As he walked the old buildings where the crops were grown, all now in ruins, after years of not taking care of them they were destroyed by nature. But the main building was still up, for him… it felt like a mausoleum of his family. He did come before, for years he came every day to see if he could find anything… But then he started having night terrors and decided, for his mental health, to avoid coming to this tomb of a building. The dark wood of the huge mansion withstood the effects of time.
- why am I here again..?- he said as he stood in the big door, it was a semi open you could hear the creaking of it as it moved softly with the wind from inside, he could feel even more cold air coming from its darkness … the smell of damp and moist air was strong as it blew out of the doorway.
- Frost??- he heard behind him, Nebbia was breathing heavily as she ran all the way up the hill.
- Nebbia…?- he said as he turned and saw her.
-Oh good… at last you heard me – she tried to grasp some air as she looked around.
- I was screaming at you all this way… are you ok?- she was still keeping her distance from him. Frost looked back to the mansion and took some steps back, started to walk towards her.
-I’m sorry for that… - he walked beside her and heading back down the road, Nebbia grabbed his arm tight.
-HEY, just stop… also I am tired, man you walk rather quick- she held to him tight as she leaned down, she was breathing a bit heavy… the cold does that o you, it hurt her lungs as the cold wind surrounds her.
Frost looked around and there were some big stones near what looked like an old water hole. He grabbed her hand and walked with her . - get some rest – he sat on one of the stones, she sat beside him…
They sat in silence, she looked around the place… it was a massive area, you couldn’t see the end of it.
Nebbia kept herself in silence, not really knowing what to say. Frost just looked at the big building across from them, Nebbia felt a weird shiver down her spine as she only heard the building creak as the wind howled inside of it.
- I only have vague memories of what happened that night – he started to explain, his eyes never stopped gazing at that place – I was maybe 3 or 4… the only thing that I saw was my father laying in a pool of blood, my mother… - he stopped as he saw his hands – that bastard left nothing of her… her hand rigid as it was trying to stop him is the vivid image that it’s just burned in to my memory -
- did… you see who did it? - she asked.
- I knew who did it, everyone knew who did it… but we found the bastard dead a week later floating in the lake, the coward killed himself… I wish he didn’t have such a mild ending, he deserved worse than just… a suicide… he didn’t deserve that release – his voice was sad, his eyes seemed lost in the memory of his.
Nebbia slowly put her hand over his, and held it softly… he instantly noticed her and turned to her, almost as her touch brought him back to the present.
- what do you want to do?- she asked him as she looked at him.
-What do you mean?-
She smiled a bit embarrassed and looked around. -Well… if there IS a reason for me to be here… we kinda have to find a way to figure it out - Frost looked around.
-Maybe… we should not be here at nightfall, lets… go back to Gavin, I need to apologize to him – he said as he stood up, Nebbia did the same smiling.
-Yes, let’s do that… He seems as confused as everyone… – Frost rolled his eyes as he started walking.
- He is just a weird character -
Gavin opens the door of his home finding Nebbia smiling and Frost standing behind her with his arms crossed.
-I brought him back – she says smiling even feeling a bit proud of herself as she walked in the building, Frost followed her not making any eye contact with Gavin who had a very surprised face on him.
-Wow… you actually tamed him – he said as he closed the door behind them.
As they sat in the original spots, Gavin grabbed a book and gave it to Nebbia before heading back to his seat – That my dear is what I THINK and I am not sure what you saw dragging you into the river – Nebbia took a look at the image.
The picture was of a man floating being held by long arms with hands holding him in the air. It was an old book, and the language wasn’t understandable for her.
- It does look like what I encountered that night – Gavin smirked.
- It is said to be the entity that helps spirits to cross to the other side… but it does not make sense for it to encounter you...– he said, still trying to give some clarity to her event.
-So… like the grim reaper kinda thing?-
-Yes… and NO. For this to actually happen you should probably be dead already -
Nebbia was completely confused.
-She is not dead – Frost said.
-I am not implying that. I just say it IS bizarre that it showed up to her like that. Those things don’t go out there making favors or missions… just because. Now … I think that gray lady is not following her, but I think it has to do with something… in all this mess-
-In other words you have no idea what is happening- Frost said in a condescending tone.
- precisely!- Gavin said cheerfully. Frost sighed in frustration… but Nebbia kept quiet.
- Has...- she suddenly asked – has anyone from my world… been brought here before?- Frost just shrugged, but Gavin kept quiet.
-Old man… you know anything of that sort?- he said as he noticed his expression puzzled.
-I wouldn’t know how to confirm that. It may had passed somewhere else, maybe. - he said as he turned away looking at his books.
Nebbia stood up, and walked towards him, giving him the book. Gavin took it and stood frozen for a second.
- is everything ok? - she asked, he suddenly reacted and smiled.
-Oh yes… I… I think you two should get some rest, I need to check my books and… do some digging around. -
Frost stood up and walked beside Nebbia. He gently grabbed her from the shoulder and guided her to the door. Nebbia didn’t stop looking at the old man completely puzzled by the idea.
-Ok, well… we will see you soon then, thank you for your help – Nebbia said as she pulled her hood up. Frost looked back at him.
- I will come here later tomorrow, I think we should stay in my home in the forest… I feel she’ll be safer there.-
-yes, good idea… I think I will do some research. I will let you know if anything comes up… and Frost – they both looked back – both of you stay safe and be careful – he said genuinely concerned.
Frost and Nebbia headed out the door and started to make their way back to his home in up the forest. Gavin closed the door behind them. He stood in the dim light again, he had a strange feeling in his gut.
They walked back at a slower pace, there wasn’t any reason to rush back. Nebbia finally took her hood off and gave a deep breath of relief.
-That was something… it was very stressful – she said as she stretched a bit while walking.
-It was – Frost expressed a bit frustrated.
- Well… I wasn’t thrown to jail or anything… it felt like your family wanted me very far away from you, I’m sorry for being such… a burden-
-It’s not your fault… and as you heard… I had a lot of harm in my life. They were only trying to stop history repeating itself... -
Nebbia walked a bit faster and kicked a little pile of snow on the road. She then started to walk beside him, trying to find a way to break… well the ice.
- So Frost…– she turned herself towards him and stood in front of him – what do you enjoy?-
Frost got confused by the strange question – enjoy? -
-Yeah! What do you like doing? You have… hobbies? How do you spend your time alone… which seems like it’s a lot of the time- she smiled a bit knowing it was a horrible comment but she kept walking beside him.
- I read most of the time, I keep myself busy around my home, there is always something to do… I also do a lot of wood carving – Nebbia smiled a bit. He does more than just lump around like she thought...
-Oh, that sounds nice. I enjoy drawing, painting… that sort of thing. Sometimes I knit… never did finish anything in particular... I just did it to release stress I guess -
- So feminine - he expressed a bit sarcastic. - Do you have any friends in your world? -
-Yes , well… only one. My best friend since childhood – her expression turned a bit sad – hope Charlie is Ok. I didn't get the chance to say anything – she started to play with her hair, she seemed concerned.
- He probably is worried for you – He said as he looked up in the sky.
-She -
- Oh – he felt a bit confused and laughed.
- well… she likes women, so you weren’t far off haha – Frost looked at her confused. - Oh...are there not women that are...in to other women here? -
-Oh yes, just… it is rare I guess – he cleared his throat – yeah...- Nebbia giggled.
- I am not in to girls, if you were curious -
- I DID NOT IMPLY THAT – he quickly answered awkwardly.
- That’s alright . And you? - Nebbia smiled now a bit more comfortable.
- yes? -
-You like girls or guys – Frost frowned, completely confused – You like.. women… or men…?-
-Women… -
- Blue or pink?- Frost got more confused even, Nebbia laughed hard.
- I’m just messing with you! - she kept laughing, she cleared a tear from her eye. Frost smiled a bit, she seemed to be more relaxed, showing her true personality a bit more.
- I have never been anywhere else. Most of the people in my life either died or moved on...- he said a bit nostalgic. Nebbia frowned.
- Hmm... – Nebbia sighed.
- yeah... - he said as they found themselves in the entrance to the hill to his home.
As they walked silently on the trail, it was still clear and easy to walk on. Snow started to slowly come down, Nebbia stopped for a second to see the snow fall. She smiled seeing it slowly fall all over. Frost kept walking not noticing her, as he turned he saw her standing smiling under the falling snow. She seemed peaceful almost.
-You are going to get sick – he said loudly, Nebbia turned towards him and started walking fast towards him. She got to the steps to the cabin and suddenly slipped falling to her knees. Frost helped her up and she smiled at him a bit embarrassed, but before she could say anything they both looked at each other.
For a moment they just stood there close, Nebbia blushed a bit looking to the side -thanks...- she said as she fixed her hair. He let her go slowly and just nodded his head not saying anything.
Frost made a type of soup with mushrooms and some other veggies, it was nice and creamy, just enough for the cold night. He had some bread to accompany the meal and Nebbia thought some tea would be good to help them relax.
Nebbia drank her tea as she sat on a chair near the table close to the fire, she was wearing her shirt and sweatpants again feeling a bit comfier. Frost took his heavy gear off only in a long sleeve shirt and his pants, Nebbia was a bit disturbed with him being bare feet… but it was just normal for him.
They had their meal in silence, there was not much to talk about it seemed… but in a way they enjoyed the company.
As they finished and cleaned up a bit Frost walked and looked at the pile of logs for the fire, he grabbed an odd piece and put it on the table. Nebbia served herself some more tea as she wrapped herself up with the blanket she adopted. Frost was grabbing a little tool box and set it in on the table as he lit a candle brightening up the area. He grabbed a sort of pocket knife and stared closely at the piece of wood as he started to gently carve in it.
was a nice night, it felt for them like it was always like that, Nebbia didn’t feel alienated by it, she was very curious about his process. She thought for a moment that maybe that’s how she looked once she had all her material when she drew in her spare time.
- How did you learn how to carve? - Nebbia asked as she rested her elbows on the table.
- a lot of practice – he said as he moved his knife softly and carefully, without taking his eyes off of the piece of wood. - I was bored and just started doing it on my own, kept doing it till… something was made, then I did something else and so on – he blew a bit the little pieces that were left loose.
-that’s impressive –
- thank you – the piece of wood started to look something like a wolf. As time passed and the candle grew low he stopped for a moment and left it carefully on the table.
– it’s too dark to do any details, I can go blind – he rubbed his eyes – are you feeling ok? -
-mmhmm… - she stood up and let herself fall on the bed, her legs falling on the side of it, she closed her eyes a bit as her arms were spread on it. Frost stared at her in silence, it was so much calmer in that home… Almost like if her presence steered away the bad energies that kept him company, he didn’t feel that constant pressure on his chest or back, it felt like home.
She lay on her side and opened her eyes looking at him, she noticed he was looking at her in silence.
- Something wrong? - she asked as she sat on the bed. Frost didn’t answer and stood up. He walked towards her and sat on the bed. Nebbia sat up a bit, he just sat looking at his hands in silence.
-I guess I wanted to tell you… That I am really sorry for bringing you into all this mess. - he said with some sadness in his voice.
-This isn’t… really not your fault – she said as she lays back again. - You didn’t bring me here… by your own means -
He laid back beside her looking at the roof – I just felt like I needed to say it -
Nebbia looked at him and looked up in the roof.
– My life wasn’t that good at all, I mean it had been nice these past few years but… before that it’s been misery after misery… but that’s in the past I guess, no reason to even fret about it…Especially with my mother and all that mess - she said as she played with her fingers over her chest, it gave her still anxiety to even go back to those times.
- I thought you said you lived by yourself – he said as he turned himself towards her.
- Yes, but a few years ago I left home… my mother, she… - she breathed deeply and closed her eyes – my mother was always angry at me, she made my life pretty hard… the way I left home wasn’t the best… well I say “left” more like kicked out -
-Oh… sounds awful -
- She…Is, because she is still around, a nasty person… -
- Mmm… -
- Yeah, my patience ran fast with my mother as I grew up… specifically when she got married, I was her kid from another man I guess.. I never did meet my dad… so I am as parent-less as I can get – she smiled. - When she moved on from her life… she did also with me. She left me on my own and Charlie ended up being my only family...- She turned herself towards him.
- At least you got her – he closes his eyes.
-I guess… and I am failing miserably at trying to make you feel better – she placed her hand over his and held it tight. You're not alone, at least for now -
-Maybe… I was alright by myself – he bluntly said.
-You were alright…. Or are you compliant with your life? -
Frost didn’t answer, he just sighed a bit. Nebbia let his hand go but he held tight to it.
- Well… it’s more than fair that I tell you what happened with my family… it’s more than fair –
COMING SOON CHAPTER 6
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