Fate: Diabolical

A girl trudged down the dusk kissed street trying to repress the panic swelling inside her, threatening to take hold. She was tired; even something as simple as walking was harder than it should be in this Godforsaken place. She had to pick her feet up high and tread with caution because the ice beneath the thick snow could be slick and send her tumbling, and not for the first time since she arrived in this frozen waste land barely three days ago. This place was far removed from the world she knew… even the sun seemed confused as to when to show its face and since she had arrived the land had been cast in near perpetual darkness. In this blackening twilight you would assume night was creeping in, but she knew truthfully that it couldn’t have been more than a few hours since she left home near to first light this morning, despite it feeling like she had been wandering for an eternity. She cursed aloud as she slipped again – jutting out her arm awkwardly to break her fall. She struggled in the slush to regain her footing but ultimately collapsed down onto the snow-covered ground in defeat. She felt the eyes of the townsfolk on her, scrutinising her. She pulled the collar of her new purple coat tighter around her face, more to shield herself from their watchful gaze rather than to take respite from the bitter cold. She stuck out like a sore thumb in this place. Even her new purple coat that she had been so excited to find less than a week ago marked her as an outsider. The people here had grown in harsh conditions and had no time for frills or fancy. They were adorned in warm, sensible clothing in hues of black, brown and muddy greens. She had always disdained those girls who put appearance over practicality. Caking on make-up that would streak down their faces under the intense gaze of the sun or going out in the dead of winter in sheer dresses without a coat, believing they looked great instead of like the absolute brainless bimbo’s they were. She knew she looked like one of those girls now and her cheeks reddened in shame. She made a silent resolution to update her wardrobe… that is if she ever found her way back home. She had been wandering for hours, desperately searching for a landmark she recognised that would light the way home, but this thick white blanket that covered the world disorientated her mind, making each road appear much alike to the next. She let out an exasperated sigh and turned her face to the blackening sky.  The moon was already out in all its glory and a number of stars were twinkling lazily. She knew she was desperate now and would have to swallow her anxiety and ask one of these unapproachable townsfolk for help. She willed her limbs out of their stupor and awkwardly pulled herself to her feet. She scanned the street for a friendly face and found none. With a sigh she began clumsily making her way to the closest person to her. The man in question narrowed his eyes when he realised she was approaching him. ‘Excuse me Sir, I’m sorry to disturb you but I am hopelessly lost. I need to find my way back to the Sleigh Bells Tavern. Could you point me in the right direction by any chance?’ she whimpered nervously. The man hardly seemed to hear her and studied her intently, silently. She shuffled awkwardly under his gaze and was beginning to think he was not going to respond at all, but just before turning away red faced and rejected, he spoke, in a dirty, gravelly voice. ‘Yes. In fact, I am heading in that direction myself and can take you part of the way’ And with that he turned on his heels and began walking surefootedly across the snow. Unsure of what to do she stood in place a moment… was it safe to follow this stranger? But as she was deliberating, she felt the soft, cold flutter of fresh snow fall against her cheek and she knew she was out of options. She picked up her reluctant limbs and followed the stranger.