Nebbia laid on her side, trying to get some sleep, while she avoided looking at the door. The fact he tried to check on her made her feel strange, not in the wrong way but…she thought she knew how he felt. After not hearing anything she readjusted herself as she looked up the little window once more. The night sky was clear… she could see some little twinkling stars beyond the strange warped glass.
Her thoughts lingered on his story… she wondered about that strange gray lady thing that kept haunting him… why him? It was beyond her comprehension, she came from a very physical world not like this one, where even magic was a very real thing. But for some reason, it felt normal for her…
“Maybe this is just a dream” she thought to herself.
She had moments when she was younger, that felt so unreal, much like walking in the world numb to things and then suddenly she came back to reality, it was a weird feeling almost like if something just snapped their fingers and she realized ‘I am truly here’. She felt Frost was like that as well. For most of his life he spent what little she knew, all alone with little contact from people, and the moment things clicked when she fell into his life. He is trying to keep normality but it’s hard with her just being in every possible strange situation… and it won’t get any easier, or so she thought.
She adjusted her blanket and turned towards the door. She laid there for a bit till she finally got the courage to get up, slowly from her bed, trying not to make a lot of noise. She tiptoed to the door and slowly pushed it enough so she could see if he was still awake… she couldn’t really tell and she felt a bit ashamed of suddenly walking out with no real reason. She stood there for a bit, almost losing her mind in over a million thoughts… she came to the conclusion it was best to just sleep the night… over thinking was not going to solve anything, maybe he needs some space.
She got back in bed and adjusted herself once more, grabbing the blanket up almost to her head. She took a deep breath and tried to relax… she tossed and turned for a moment till she once more looked out the window over her…
She then saw something looking back at her and felt a hand covering her mouth from behind.
The first rays of the morning sun crept in through the edges of the door in the cabin. Frost was still asleep when one of the rays just hit him softly on his face. He passed his hands over his face as he laid on his back. The night felt rather quick for some reason… or the morning just decided to come earlier… Either way he felt like he didn’t rest that much.
He sat on the edge of the bed after his dreamless night, he scratched his head with his messy hair. He then looked at the door of the bedroom. He rubbed his face a bit and stood up as he walked slowly towards it. Frost stood for a moment trying to think what to do or say… he gently opened it trying not to make any noise.
The bed was empty.
Nebbia woke up in a shock almost still laying back… she could feel her heart racing as the sound of a distant alarm was heard like it was echoing, she rubbed her eyes and as they adjusted she noticed she was on the floor of a bedroom. She felt completely confused rubbing her face… this was Charlie’s room?
- ugh… turn that alarm off would you – a voice said, Nebbia in complete confusion looked at the bed next to her.
Charlie was still wearing her black skeleton outfit from the halloween party, her hair messy and make up was all smeared and was still on her. Nebbia looked at herself, she was actually wearing her shirt and sweatpants still laying over a makeshift futon in her dorm room.
- what the hell??- she got up trying to look at herself in a mirror…She inspected herself from her shoulders and arms ...No bruises, no marks.
-Are you still drunk?- Charlie asked as she sat up in her single bed – I think I’m still drunk, oh my god...- she said in a groggy voice as she burped and moaned.
- What the fuck happened last night?? - she said as she kept looking at herself in the mirror, still in disbelief.
- you passed out, too much partying, duh… I found you near the bridge completely hammered hugging your backpack – she laughed as she got up, tumbling all over the stuff on the floor. - ugh… -
- No… no that can’t be I didn’t… I didn’t drink anything… did I? - she was forcing herself to remember what actually happened but it was all a blur for some reason... Charlie hugged her from the back and kissed her on the cheek.
- shh shh… you are ok and safe – she walked away as she started to get changed.
– Wanna grab some grub? I’m so damn hungry – she said as she passed her hand over her purple messed up hair.
Nebbia stood there motionless as she looked around the room… What ever happened? This… this isn’t true. Is it?
- Nebbia??? - Frost looked all over the room, he turned the covers, he looked under the bed. He, in bare feet, ran outside, he felt that something was completely wrong.
-NEBBIA!!! - he screamed as his voice echoed in the empty forest, the only sound he could hear was the pines moving with the wind.
Charlie was checking her phone as they walked around the dorm, it was awfully quiet, there was no one to be seen. Nebbia felt something was off, the cold was very uncomfortable like if the AC of the hallway was very high, she could even feel her feet freezing… ‘why am I not wearing shoes?’ she wondered to herself.
- Are you feeling ok? - Charlie asked her, Nebbia was almost shivering as she rubbed her arms, she couldn’t get rid of the dreary cold she felt.
- I don’t know… something feels off. Did you bring me by yourself last night ? - she kept questioning every single thing from the night before.
Charlie laughed as she stretched – Oh I got you to walk, it was all tumbly and shit, I was a bit worried that you got roofied by some guy giving you drinks – Nebbia was shivering even more.
- Did you meet anyone last night by the way? - Charlie asked as they kept walking.
- I can’t remember… - Nebbia felt like something was really shrouding her thoughts, nothing felt real or made sense at all.
- Can’t remember or don’t wanna tell me? – her tone was strange, almost eerie.
Frost looked around for footprints in the snow, he ran around the cabin until he saw some prints behind the house and tracks of something being dragged through the snow. He grunted as he headed inside to grab his clothes.
He left and ran quickly to follow the prints, they seemed to go through the forest not following the path.
- Where was she heading??!!- he said as he quickly followed the prints.
The trail of prints got a bit lost in the thick of the forest,and suddenly he found himself on the main road, where more prints were in the mud. He could see bare foot prints, something within him sank. - The farm?… - he thought as he ran with haste.
The hallway felt like it was too long and endless, why was it like that? She thought as she looked behind her, noticing that it was dark as if the lights just died…
- You know, Nebbie… I’m glad you came home with me – Charlie expressed as she turned back to her.
- eh? - Nebbia suddenly stopped as she noticed her voice changed.
- I’ve been… dying to ask – she said with a weird smile on in her face. - Ever since we met...-
-What do you mean? - Nebbia took a couple of steps back, her feet felt something off on the floor.
- Why did you have to come and spoil my fun? - she said as she stood motionless, the voice that came from her was not Charlie’s anymore.
- What are you talking about? - as she walked back she felt the floor was old wood, it creaked as she walked and stepped on it. Charlie slowly turned towards her seemingly floating in a way.
- You know… Frost didn’t tell you the whole story – she ran her fingers over her stained black lips – Yes… he told you only what HE saw – Nebbia froze as she noticed her friend slowly turning gray and her hair slowly growing long and darker.
- the...gray lady… - the woman smiled as her eyes turned bright green, Nebbia stepped back and fell hard on the rotting floor.
- You know me then! I am ecstatic we have the opportunity to finally TALK - she groped her body then began tearing off her clothes. The clothing she had, decayed as she touched it leaving her bare gray skin exposed.
- What… Do you want from me? - she said as she dragged herself back on in the floor as it slowly started to decay beneath her.
- Right now… it’s more curiosity... - as reality started to break the hallway started to fall apart, the illusion started to fade away. It turned slowly darker.
- I don’t quite understand what there is to be curious about why don’t you enlighten me – Nebbia answered a bit annoyed. The Gray woman smiled as she stepped a bit closer to her. Nebbia stood slowly up holding her ground.
- Why are you in my way? That beautiful, sad, depressing, lonely boy is mine… not yours to take - The gray lady suddenly threw herself at her and grabbed her by the hair- His father was a fool, it was an easy prey. He begged me … to make him stronger, but there is always a price… I needed some sacrifice in return. He offered his father, I obliged.- The woman pulled her hair back and pulled her close to her face, Nebbia grabbed her arm trying to escape but her grip was tight.
– When I took over his body I felt the anger he felt for his father, so many years torturing him, degrading him… It was a delicious feeling but… that didn’t feed me as much as I wanted. So then I saw his woman… his heart beat for that one precious diamond and I took her and believe me the pain he felt, the agony, the sadness was so delightful!! I couldn’t stop myself. I took her body and form , and then I noticed the little boy, he it was like the cherry on top and as YOU humans say …I had to have him -
- You want to… kill him? -
- Where is the fun in that?!… I’m slowly eating him. Slowly driving him mad… it’s such a delightful game… but it’s been frustrating because of you and that old nosy bastard – she threw Nebbia hard to the floor .
- I don’t… understand – Nebbia said as she shivered.
- Yes… the man from autumn, but I’m not going to let you two spoil my fun just yet - She walked slowly to Nebbia and stood over her. - Yes, he is really like Frost said an OLD FOOL, he doesn’t have any more power… even though he claims it. He can’t stop me… and neither will you! Blood of the same OLD FOOL! – she said as she laughed maniacally and suddenly grabbed Nebbia’s neck squeezing tightly, threateningly – But no need to worry about anything… I’ll just end it here… – she said as she squeezed harder.
Nebbia coughed as she gripped even tighter, Nebbia’s hands gripped on her arm clawing her with her nails. The gray woman laughed loud and suddenly she felt a stab then several more, she turned as her eyes burned and she shrieked, she let go at Nebbia as she fell back hard onto the floor. Frost was standing holding his frozen arm, several ice daggers pierce the woman in on it’s back.
-YOU LITTLE SHIT! - she shrieked as she flew towards him. Frost kept creating dozens of flying ices dagger towards her stabbing her all over her body, and she suddenly fell to her feet completely pierced by dozens of ice daggers.
-Stay… down – he commanded as she laid on the floor twitching, while her wounds oozed like black thick oil.
-You… haven’t killed me I will see you soon… my pretty pet...- she said with a smile on her face as her body melted on the floor turning in to a black puddle of goo, Frost finally started breathing deeply as his arm was shivering frozen partially because of his ice magic. He looked at Nebbia who laid on the floor motionless.
He ran fast towards her and touched her, she was not breathing – Dammit!!- he turned her on her back as he started to do a resuscitation maneuver on her chest, he kept rhythmicly going at a pace trying to not lose her… but he felt panic overwhelm him. He kept compressing her chest as he gave her mouth respiration… -Please… come back…- he whispered. suddenly she gasped for air as she coughed and spitted some blood. Frost finally sighed in relief
– You’re ok… you’re ok – he kept saying as he started to lightly stroke her back, she started breathe coughing.
Frost carried Nebbia on his back while walking back to his cabin, he covered her with his cape as he slowly made his way back to the road…
-you need.. to stop… doing this… - Nebbia said in a weak voice.
-What’s that? - he said as he stopped.
- rescuing me… -
- What are you talking about? - he kept walking.
- it’s not fair… but thank you… really... - she said as she laid her head on his back.
Frost chuckled a bit as he kept walking. The sun at least was warming them up a bit as they walked down the road.
As Frost got closer to the cabin he felt slightly more relieved. Nebbia hung a bit from his shoulders as she was still weak from the attack. As he kept going he noticed something, her warmth on his back. Ever since they crossed paths he tried every moment to not be entangled with her in any way, he felt that her presence would just go away as suddenly as she showed up… so he tried to isolate himself from her… but now, while he held her close and her arms holding him, even her warm breath on the back of his neck. She was there…
- We are home – he said as he walked closer to the cabin.
-yaay… - she said in a weak voice. He kept walking up the hill, he even saw Fang suddenly show up on the side of the cabin running as he welcomed them back. He whimpered as he noticed something was wrong.
- Down boy, she’s ok… she’ll be better even – he said to him.
Frost kicked the door open, he walked through the room and sat her in bed slowly sliding her off of him, she sat on the bed as she kept holding his cape over her. He turned towards her as he got on his knee to check her.
-Let me see – he said as he touched her cheek and lifted her face a bit. He wanted to see how her neck was, he could see the dark and red marks on it, then he saw tears streaming down through her cheek. She started to break down in tears, he hugged her as she held to him tight as she just broke crying… Frost held her caressing her back trying to reassure her – You’re safe. I’ll keep you always safe Nebbia… that is my promise -
Frost held Nebbia close to him in bed, she was still shivering. He could feel her breath on his chest and on his hands… he was more worried she would stop breathing or be in more pain. He didn’t want to ask his mom to check her… it was more than clear they didn’t want to do anything with her.
It didn’t really matter to him, there were reasons why he left that home.
- You think she’s coming back soon? - she asked.
- She won’t for a while. It happened before and I defended myself… she got hurt and left me alone for a while but I feel like this time I really hurt her more than that time. – Nebbia held tight from his shirt, he held her hand. -She won’t come soon, and if she comes we will be ready for her- he said as he held her close.
- she told me… some things… - Nebbia looked at him and he could see her confusion in her face – It was very puzzling...-
- What happened?- Nebbia sat slowly up, as she put her hand over her neck. Frost sat up as he putted his hand over her back.
- I need to ask Gavin something… this has been in the back of my mind but I want to be sure -
- Gavin is a strange man… but he did know that you showed up that day – Frost admitted as he remembered that day.
Nebbia tried to get up of bed but stumbled, Frost held her down – hey no, you need to rest… you almost got killed back there! - she turned herself to him.
- We don’t… have time, every second is valuable… - Frost caressed her cheek, Nebbia was a bit in shock.
-What are you going to achieve by getting hurt even worse?? You are gonna get your self killed… that's what’s gonna happen and then I gotta suffer someone else's death… NO, I don’t want anyone else to suffer because of that thing –
- I just wanna help… - she admitted a bit blushed, she only really wanted to fix things.
- And I want you to be safe… is that too much to ask? - Nebbia stopped fighting him as she noticed there was a different Frost in front of her, maybe the real him… it was obvious if she thought about it for a moment… all his life he only saw his loved ones perish in hands of that thing… to see how another person fell in the same fate.
- alright – she said as she laid down again on the bed. Frost sat up in the bed and he covered her.
Gavin was running as fast as he could on the road, as the white wolf Fang was running in front of him barking and howling at him.
- GOD DAMMIT YOU BEAST!!- he screamed as he tried to keep up with him. He had to stop to catch his breath – I… am too old… for this fucking shit – he started to walk faster as the wolf started to circle him and suddenly tugged his cape almost pulling him.
– OH Christ… I AM DOING MY BEST OLD MAN RUN THAT I CAN PULL – he screamed at Fang that was still barking and whimpering.
He finally found himself near the entrance of the cabin, the chimney was smoking meaning that they where in the home. He sighed in relief… hopefully all this drama was for nothing he thought to himself. As he walked knocking hard on the door
– FROST! Open this DAMN door now – he said still catching his breath. Frost opened it not saying anything to him – Alright what is all this commotion about?? – he said as he looked at him, then he noticed Nebbia sitting on the chair, it looked like she just bathed but she had her neck badly bruised, she was holding some rag with some water to help the swelling go down. - Goodness… what the hell happened???- he walked in leaving his things on the floor, he walked towards her and lifted her face slightly – My god… - he said in shock.
- She got to her… I think I slowed her down a bit – Frost said as he looked outside and closed the door shut behind him.
- Are you alright darling? - he asked as he examined her, Nebbia held his hand.
- I am glad you came… because I have a lot of questions for you -
- We both do – Frost interfered. Gavin looked at them both as he grabbed his messenger bag and opened it looking for some things.
- I have some information myself but please explain what happened – he took out some ointments and slowly started to apply them on her neck.
- She told her some things, that… we need to make sure it was right because if anything I heard all this damn time is lies… and I am getting fed up with that – Frost said as he stood behind him, he crossed his arms almost trying to calm himself.
- Why are you here, Gavin? - Nebbia asked, he took some bandages from his bag and started to cover her bruises on her neck gently.
- Like here in on the cabin… or here in town? - he knew where this was going.
- You knew exactly that she was going to show up that day that I came for help… why is that ? - Frost said in an angry tone.
Gavin smiled at her as he stood up – I knew… since… a long time ago – he lingered then sat on the bed.
- You see – Gavin said as he pulled out a little notebook – I haven’t been entirely honest with you, Nebbia – he started to slowly flip the pages of it – I did visit your world, when… I was a lot more younger. I was looking for someone. And when I found her… she was holding you. And believe me… I did not know she had you, I was just looking for my wife.- He gave her a picture of her mother and Nebbia as a baby.
There was an awkward silence, Nebbia did not expect that to come up all of a sudden like that.
- Mom… never talked about who you where… but she was pretty pissed about it – Nebbia said with a smirk, Gavin laughed.
- Yes, I imagine she still is, isn’t she? - he said as he finished the bandages. He looked at her and smiled grabbing her cheek – You do look like your mother, back when I first met her, just… dark hair, and… you have something she never did have – he said in a bit gloomy way. Frost did not know what to say or do, he stood frozen on the side of the table when he finally realized...
- what… is all this have to do with me? - Frost said.
- The most probable thing… is because she is a half breed. She has blood from this world and hers. I was hoping, at least in my end that she would come by her own devices at some point. But...- Gavin sighed. - Whatever being that brought you here, wanted you as an exchange for sacrifice or maybe exchange – Gavin stood up as he grabbed the chair near him, he sat heavily in it.
- Mom never told me anything… about… anything- she said a bit sullen.
- She refused to admit anything that happened… but that’s not important right now. - he said then looked at Frost with a bit of bitterness. Frost noticed his eyes piercing him.
- Whatever you have in mind Old Man, just say it… -
- I do not trust you with my daughter. I do not like how she is this hurt and all because of you. - He said in a very serious manner. - I have been patient dying every fucking day to know if she is alright, if she is safe… and all of a sudden – He hit loudly the table – that THING you been dragging has her on her death list! -
- That is not my fault Old Man – He felt his arm freeze once more. Nebbia stood up and grabbed his hand.
- Can we all… calm down? - She said trying to ease down the situation.
- Gavin… Dad? - Nebbia looked at him as she grabbed his hand on the table.
- I think… we are all a bit rattled about every that has happened ...- She hobbled a bit and sat on the bed. - That thing thinks that me and Gavin have something to do with what is going on right now, she thinks… that we are taking Frost away from her… something about Gavin having a power but he doesn’t -
- I… have been trying to find a solution, not going to lie about that. I felt that… he deserves a better life. I’ve known of Frost since he was young and I felt… pity to say the least – Gavin admitted after all the years he lived in that town he did grown fond of the lonely kid – I tried to figure out what it is, but I haven’t been able to find anything of the sort… and for powers… I don’t know what she is referring to - he looked a Nebbia – But… Nebbia might be in fact the solution.-0
- How? - Frost asked. Gavin grabbed his bag again and took out a little sack, he opened up and pulled out a crystal with a dim yellow glow with a necklace.
- Nebbia is still part Autumn Folk, she needs a push – he said as he gave it to her. Nebbia grabbed with a bit of fear. - This will protect you, and it will heal you as well – he stood up and started to put away his things.
- Then what now? - Frost asked.
- We heal, we wait… we get prepped. There is a solution for every problem we just… haven’t stumbled into it yet. - He walked to Nebbia and got onto his knee, he smiled at her. - I am here now, whatever you need… I am here-
Nebbia smiled but was hesitant in doing anything as she was still processing everything. He didn’t expect a hug or anything but he wanted for her to know that she was not alone in any way… he stood up and stood next to Frost grabbing his shirt tightly dragged him out outside. He closed the door behind them as he pushed him out, Frost was a bit in shock of the strength Gavin suddenly possessed.
- YOU! Need to be better! - Gavin said as he pointed at him – I am leaving the responsibility of TAKING CARE OF HER, I know… she doesn’t trust me BUT SHE TRUSTS YOU, SO LISTEN TO ME YOU BLUE BASTARD IF SHE GETS HURT LIKE THIS AGAIN I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER LIKE NO ONE HAS MADE YOU SUFFER, IS THAT CLEAR? -
Frost stood there motionless and nodded with his head – yes sir...- at the end of the day he still respected him. Gavin patted his shoulder and started walking down the hill. He seemed different now, he had a strange step like if he had a weight on his shoulders even.
- I promise she’ll be safe with me – Frost said under his breath.
Nebbia sat next to the table as she held in her fingers the glowing crystal, a weird tingly feeling felt as she was holding it.
-It’s so… weird – she said at last – I didn’t feel surprised when he finally told me all that… – she said as she let it down. Frost served her some soup as he also set his bowl down and sat across from her.
- He seemed different today, all this time that we known each other I feel like its the first time he was being honest with me. And I respect that. - he started to eat slowly.
Nebbia sat quietly as she tried to eat but the pain was a bit too much for her still. She tried slowly but Frost noticed her discomfort.
- How are you feeling ? - he asked concerned, she looked at him as she forced a smile and kept trying to place pass the warm soup into her mouth.
- I think it’s a lot to really process right now… but… I am sure of something – she said as she set her spoon down.
- That is? -
Nebbia grabbed his hand and smiled at him – I’m glad that I was brought here… and I don’t mind being stuck in this world.- Frost looked at her a bit puzzled and he pulled his hand away from her.
- I feel, you deserve better than this – Nebbia felt surprised in his reaction. She felt a bit of rejection even.
- Oh… -
They sat in silence, you could hear a pin drop in that room. Nebbia suddenly stood grabbing her cape, she shoved her boots on and walked out the cabin not saying a thing, she just walked out.
There it was again, she thought, that horrible feeling of rejection. ‘you had to show your ugly face again… my inevitable loneliness’ she thought to herself. She looked at the mountains as the sun started to slowly go down making the sky dark and orange. She walked down and sat on the steps outside, the wind blew on her face, she held onto her cape trying to stay warm… she couldn’t even feel the cold at that moment.
Frost suddenly sat beside her.
-Are you alright? - he looked at her as her eyes were distant , she didn’t even try to look at him, not even a slight smirk. - Don’t take it wrong… it’s just… -
- I understand… - she said in a gloomy voice – I always end up being pushed away, it’s part of my luck- she smiled at him crookedly– I can’t force you to do or feel anything… I should of known better – Nebbia held to herself her cape – But, I appreciate that you been taking care of me all this time… especially when I am a complete stranger that just fell from the sky -
- more like a water bubble – he intervened.
- right… - she said as she stood up and grabbed some snow in her hands and started to form a ball.
Frost looked at her in silence. Nebbia threw the snow ball as far as she could, falling not far from her.
- Oh… that was lame – she said to herself as she grabbed more snow and formed another ball. She tried to do a baseball stance and throw it a lot farther, but as it flew up Frost stabbed it with an ice dagger. Nebbia turned – Oh, that was impressive – she said, smiling a bit – But… it wasn’t fair -
Frost walked to her seeing her trying to warm her wet hands, he grabbed them and tried to warm them with his. Nebbia noticed his hands were still rather warm even when he did that ice magic thing… it was strange, she kept looking at his hands.
- I can be better – he said – just… I need some patience –
Nebbia looked at him surprised and smiled a bit blushing. They stood there holding their hands as the night suddenly covered the sky and slowly started to snow a light dusting. She looked up in the sky smiling a bit.
- You are going to get sick – he said as he looked at her, there was something about how her face lit every time she saw snow fall that just made him smile back.
- I know… should get inside – she said as she kept looking at the snowflakes fall slowly, she looked at him. - what's wrong? - she asked.
He reached for her cheek, Nebbia leaned into his hand smiling, she understood what he was trying to say… sometimes words are hard to, but as he leaned into her kissing her softly, she understood completely. At least under the night sky… there was nothing to hurt them.
COMING SOON CHAPTER 8
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