Chapter 3: Snowy plains

When I looked back at it, the place that was blank just a moment ago was now filled with the memories that I made-moments that I had lived twice now. But there wasn't anything in front of them, nothing that I remembered past this moment.

It made sense but at the same time, nothing did. This had to be the past but did I travel back in past or are the memories playing by themselves in my mind and without me remembering? Would the same thing happen back then, the same outcome that I knew nothing of, or would it change into something of my choice, something more...significant.

But, I realized one thing, I was only going to find them only by reliving these moments, and whether I could change them or not was only something time would tell.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts when I felt Leonard's torch rolling and stopping at my feet. Bending down, I picked it up and kept it on myself for the time Leonard returned. I knew we were going to meet again in this 'memory'.

And then the scene changed in a seamless motion, turning into a snowy desert that surrounded me at all sides as the cold air licked my soft skin-an instant chill washing all over me. Within moments, my teeth started rattling and my breath turned heavy, blood rushing everywhere doing its best to keep me warm and breathing.

The cold wind that blew, stung my eyes and I felt the redness in them. Yet I kept my eyes open and took in the sight. Something that I was no longer surprised by, just a curious present on my mind.
I was standing above a cliff and it spread out unevenly on both of my sides just like the waves of the sea. And when my eyes got slightly comfortable I could make out the small dots down the hill. Those small dots glowed like fireflies inviting me to them, their warmth almost touching me from there.

With each breath that I took in, I felt my consciousness slowly slipping, only realizing that I had not much time before I would lose consciousness.

From up here I couldn't make it out properly but there had to be some people there. It took me less than a moment to decide that I had to reach there or else what waited for me was something I had no intention of thinking of.

I started dragging my feet through the soft snow toward the settlement while rubbing my hands against each other, for the small warmth that it provided. The gloomy sky turned darker with each of my steps.

My pace was slow like a snail as each step took a considerable amount of effort-the snow dragging me down along with itself. And when the last bit of light vanished I make the human settlement properly.

Hundreds of tents were placed above the ground along with lights that lit up the entire place. With each of my steps, I made out the people there and their voices.

I took in the warmth of the dimly lit fireplaces and when I was inside-what looked like their territory-a huge crowd gathered around me, observing who this stranger was. Some broke out murmuring, asking questions about my identity and what I was doing here alone.

But I was in no shape to hear them out instead my knees buckled and I fell down on my face, watching the crowd move back at the sudden tremor. It was quite a wonder that I had managed to make it to this place in this cold and with my current body.

The last thing I saw before my world turned dark was a pair of small feet that came close to me, a pair of soft hands touching that touched my cold face, and a worried look.

I gave her a half smile and passed out.

***

When I woke up the urge to snuggle inside the warm blanket rose on my mind, the same urge that I had once spent a winter in my grandparent's house. Fun times, that. But fighting the temptation I sat up and made out my warm place of slumber.

The room was made out of solid stones with no windows for light to come in. There were small gems that glowed and spread out the warmth that I felt inside the room, each etched on the wall. Except for that, I couldn't find any fireplace in the room so it made sense that they gave out the heat, although it would have been something hard for me to believe even a day ago.

Besides those, there was a bed that I was comfortably sleeping in and a table beside it.
But what stood out the most was a thing-a little girl sitting on the chair beside the bed, eyes closed and probably asleep. I recognized her to be the one I had seen prior to my losing consciousness.

Her entire body was covered with a fur-made garment that reached up to her knees, and a boot that covered her small feet.
I let out a cough and she snapped her eyes wide, first confusion then realization-her eyes fell on me and she jumped toward me. "Are you alright?!" Taken back by her abrupt reaction I moved slightly, displaying being uncomfortable at her hand on my forehead, "Yes, I'm."
Seeming to calm down she took a step back and heaved a breath and said, "I'm sorry about that. I will go call the adults." And then she ran off without letting me say my piece.

It didn't take long for the door to open up and the cold air to pour inside. Along with it came half a dozen of men, each with distinct looks and curiosity dancing in their eyes. It made me shudder at the feeling of being a toy in front of some children.

The group of men stood aside making their way into the middle and an old man walked inside. Walking with a cane in his hand, he slowly made his way in and sat down on the chair that the girl was sitting in before.

He looked smaller when he sat down than when he was standing with his hunched back. He slowly raised his hand toward the others and moved his sickly hand, "Leave." His cracked voice echoed inside the place and the group made their way out. I could tell that he was someone of status.

Placing the wooden cane in front of him, placing his arms on it he looked at me and I replied with my gaze in turn.

Finding it inappropriate to start the conversation, I waited for him-just then he knocked his can on the floor creating a rhythm that made me focus on him. He broke the silence, "What's your name boy?"

"Zareth," I replied and he nodded in acknowledgment. "Where are you from and how are you here?" Each of his questions made me want to reveal all the truths of what he asked and I did. "From far away. When I opened my eyes I found myself on a hill..." I let out all that had happened after I was in this place.

When I was done he stayed quiet for a while and then said, "Alright, child. Rest now." Slowly standing up he walked toward the door and opened it-turning back toward me, he met my eyes "Thanks for being honest, child. "

"Huh?"