Tied

1.

I walk through the open. Cold wisps of air throw needles at my bare arms and shoulders, briefly piercing the surface of my skin. Everything around me is white, as if clouds have flooded the landscape. It's bright and beautiful. But why is it so cold?

The dress I wear is white and long with thin straps that wrap around my shoulders perfectly. It flows to the ground, covering my bare feet. I feel the coolness settle quickly as the ground beneath my toes turns to frost so suddenly. I catch a single snowflake in the palm of my hand and watch, waiting for it to turn to clear liquid against my skin. But somehow, it never does.

More snowflakes tickle my skin. Then more and more. They continue to fall from the sky as I find myself trudging through deep white powder that numbs my ankles and feet. Then I fall. I'm lying on the ground, the tiny sprinkles of icicles surrounding me. My entire body is numb now. It's a feeling I'm too familiar with. I lay in silence as the icy crystals prickle my skin like the shady memories that haunt my mind.

Then, I'm gone.