Deadly Beauty

Snow. When most people think of it, they tend to think of purity; innocence; happiness; a cleansing of sorts. They think of winter wonderlands and magical stolen kisses; Rosie cheeks and hot cocoa; Snowmen and snow angels. It's a time for the earth to put to be put to sleep so it can be renewed in the spring. But that's not it at all. Snow is harsh and bitter cold. It is cutting and has no feeling. It's stark beauty encompasses it's apathy with cold hard reality. The glistening white glare reflects the sun's unfeeling light. Miles of white surrounds our manor, in vast emptiness as bitter wind stings my face. Even the wind mocks me. How many times must we go through this? How many snow falls must I endure before it all ends? Voices echo through the corridors, haunting me with the past. Night after night, faces taunt me with the evil of this place. I can't get any peace, even in my sleep. I just want it to go away. To end it all... But she won't let me. "It's almost time, Charlotte," my mother whispers as she glides up behind me. Staring out over what will soon be a lush green garden is causing me slight anxiety, and a cold sweat to trickle down my neck. My chest tightens an my breath starts to come out in pants. I'm getting dizzy and there is a ringing in my ears. "Please, mother. Not again. My heart can't take it anymore. It's been a hundred years," I beg. "And we will live forever. You just have to do what I say!" she commands. A tear leaks out of my eye, and the cold almost instantly freezes it on my face. Why must we do this? We have lived long enough! I'm so lonely... No life is worth this much pain. I just want it to go away! "I won't do it again, Mother!" I state and turn away to leave Edith Simpson standing in her precious garden all alone. But as I'm leaving, I hear her cackle, "You have no choice my dear."