Re: The Frozen Masquerade
Heaven and hell are not that different from each other, it is only the perception of them that changes everything. Life and death are actually fairly close, only our minds eye change them to our own desires. Perception is the key to faith, and the holder of our liberty. How we see things changes who we are, and how we react to each and every daily trail and tribulation we go through. Whether this be the death of one who was held dear, or simply tripping on your way to work. Perception of reality change how we are effected by this circumstances.
Take the now for instance, to a young, childish, and artistic mind the gentle snow fall and heavy drifts are a dream come true, a winter wonderland if you will. However, to an adult, a realist, someone whose mind is a little more mature the snow is seen as dangerous, it destroies houses, block roads, and make even simple hicks unpassable with cold and chilling winds that accompany the blanket of white. That day two children took their perception and transcended the depth of winter's snow.
They did come prepared however, the younger of the two used some well earned money to buy huge fur coats to cover his, and his female comrades hair. However this was not enough, the howling winds of jack frost found its way through the cracks in their protection, freezing them to their very soul. Each step they took in the almost waist deep snow seemed to amplify the fact to them that they had made a grave mistake in their over zealous decision. They couldn't return though, the way they had come, the very footprints they had made where already covered up by the raging blizzard leaving them only one choice, the road forward.
They had lost the path hours ago in-between bouts of bickering over whose fault it was, their only hope was in a half frozen raging river to their left, if they followed it they would have to come to civilization eventually, or die trying. It was a gamble but it was the only chance the two kids had, a sad affair by any means.
“I'm tired,” The girl stopped in her tracks and looked around at the thicket on either side of the river, “I'm cold, I'm hungry, we can't go on much longer,” for a usually jovial voice she gave a strange melancholy tone.
“I know Cari, but what can we do?” The boy said stopping a few steps in front of the girl, “We have to keep going, we don't have the equipment to stop now, if we tried to make camp we would freeze to death. Just hold on, we will find shelter soon,” Devin turned to the girl hoping to reassure his futile efforts at comforting her with a cheep smile, he never got it out. A Mountain of fur suddenly appeared behind the girl, it's sharp yellow teeth glaring.
Panic filled the child as logic fled, Devin rushed towards the girl as the beast rose it's might paw. As the clawed hand swung, Devin sprung into action, pushing the girl down to take the blow himself. The claw struck with a sickening thud as droplets of red rain dyed the snow and Devin fell to the ground rolling down the short incline.
Thwack. The furry monster found it's arm stinging, when it's yellow eyes looked it saw what appeared to be a stick protruding from it's muscle. Thwack. Another hit him, this time piercing through his leg causing it to stumble for a second. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Four more sent the beast toppling over. It breath was heavy. It's wounds where deep. Taking one last breath it fell into eternal sleep.
Near the brush was the young girl, her heart pounding hard against her chest, her hands shaking, her face sweating. Sighing she dropped her last arrow to the now blood red ground from the river of crimson that rushed from the large beast. Getting to her feet she looked at the carcass of the animal and couldn't help but feel sorry for it's predicament, it was just angry from being woken up and now it law against the snow as a lifeless corpse.
“Devin,” She said with a weak breath, “Devin!” She remembered what had happened, rushing down the small hill she saw his body clinging against the side of the hill half floating in the rushing water. Looking up with his deep eyes he saw his savior, and no longer needed to stay conscious he closed them. His body started to get taken away by the tide as Cari latched onto his hand. She would not let him die there, she would not let his body be taken from her. With her remaining strength she pulled him to shore, his body cold and shivering from the water.
She had no strength, no breath, no hope, but she had will. Using the last of her will power she lifted the frozen boy onto her shoulders and started up the hill. Panic started setting in, where would she go? How would she survive? They wasn't a town for miles, Devin would die by then! No. She pushed the thoughts to the back of her head as she started, her head scanning the sky for any signs of life.
There off in the distance, smoke? Yes. Glimmer of hope sparked across her face as she braved through the forest grandeur towards the gray miracle. Seconds would turn to minutes, and minutes hours as she used all of her will power to trudge the deep snow, and deathly dense forest. Twenty minutes she found herself there.
Her body felt weaker then it ever had before, her mind more tired, and her hope o small. All of this and yet there she was, in front of two grand doors that spoke of perceived truth, a truth that they would both survive this night. As she opened the door, ignoring the courtesy she was tought as a child, Cari found her body give in as she and Devin fell inwards to wards the bright candle light at the feet of a man. Looking up Cari used all the strength she could muster to say one word, “help...”
OoC: Wow...this is like the who's who of the BA.