[Aster]
On that cold winter morning, a thick, fluffy blanket of snow covered everything, painting the forest a pure white. The forest was an enchanting place, with trees that stretched towards the sky, their branches sagging under the weight of the glistening snow. The sky itself had a soft, dreamy quality, with a warm orange glow that seemed to seep into the clouds, casting a warm light on the world below.
As Nivalis walked through the frozen woods, the frigid wind sliced through the air, a chilling blade that pierced through her very bones. Her boots created a satisfying crunch with every step she took. The forest was filled with the unmistakable scent of pine, and the air was alive with the joyful chatter of birds perched on the frosty branches while the snowflakes danced gracefully around
It was a serene and peaceful scene, one that could easily lull you into a deceptive sense of safety and security.
Silvia and Aster found themselves snuggled up together on a moving sled, wrapped in thick, warm woolen blankets. The girl held her little brother close, ensuring he was warm, sometimes even blowing some hot air with her mouth at him.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, the only sounds that accompanied them were the steady rhythm of their mother's breathing, the wind whistling past them, and the satisfying crunch of snow underfoot.
Aster, wrapped tightly in his blanket, looked up at his sister. Her grip on him was strong and reassuring, but he couldn't help but wonder what was happening. Initially, he thought it was just a simple walk they were on. But why take a one-day-old baby on a winter walk? It didn't make sense, and the more he thought about it, the clearer it became that they were fleeing from something.
The reasons behind this sudden escape were still a mystery to him. It was only a matter of time before Aster connected the dots and realized that the man he had encountered earlier that morning was none other than his father.
When he met him, this man had acted really strange that day. Even though he couldn't understand a word they were saying, Aster saw how scared his mom was and how sad she looked. And how much she cried after he had left.
From what he could see, it was obvious that he was a violent man—abusive and downright awful. She probably decided they needed to escape from him, and Aster couldn't agree more with her choice. No one deserves to be treated that way. The only question was, where were they going?
...
Aster, being a baby, had no clear sense of how much time had passed. Babies don't have clocks in their tiny heads, so he was simply drifting through the moments. All he knew was that his mom had been walking for what felt like a really, really long time. In baby terms, it might as well have been forever, though, in the world of grown-ups, it was most likely just a few hours.
Every now and then, Aster managed to peek out from his blankets. The tall trees surrounding him were covered in ice, and the forest was quiet and peaceful. He had never seen this much snow. It felt like a fairy tale, but Aster knew it wasn't a happy one. The only sounds were his mother's heavy breathing, the crunch of snow under her feet, the rustling of branches in the wind, and the steady creaking of the sled.
He felt really worried about his mom. Every now and then, when she stopped to check on him, he could see tiny beads of sweat trickling down her face, her eyes glazed with exhaustion, and her skin pale and damp. It was as if she was running an endless race.
And it seems like his sister had similar worries because her grip on him was almost suffocating. But he knew he had to be patient. This 5-year-old girl, his sister, was stressed and scared, and the journey was tough for them. However, she showed her mother no signs of her nervousness. He wondered if he could be as brave as her if he were in her little shoes.
He also spent plenty of time worrying about what could live in this forest. What if a bear or wolf lurked in the shadows? It was quite terrifying to think about. So, Aster did his best to stay quiet because he knew that making noise in an unfamiliar forest could be dangerous. No matter how many soiled diapers it takes.
He thought about his father. Just how bad of a man you must be, so your wife and your daughter decide to run into the wilderness, facing the unknown, just to get away from you. "Why am I so unlucky with my fathers in both my lives?" he sighed softly as he closed his eyes, drowsiness taking over his senses.
[Silvia]
Silvia's eyes were fixed on the forest around them, looking out for any possible danger despite her mind being numb with fatigue from a sleepless night and fear of the unknown. Even though her butt was sore, and her limbs felt stiff, she held her baby brother close, his tiny, delicate body nestled against hers. His golden eyes peeked out from beneath his cozy blankets, and his lips formed an innocent pout that made Silvia smile at his adorableness whenever she looked at him.
It had been hours since they left their home, and the sun was still low in the sky, its rays reflecting off the snowy landscape. Although the light chased away the shadows, Silvia felt uneasy, her eyes darting to the trees, watching for any movement. But luckily, there were no signs of any danger lurking nearby.
Their mother continued to pull the sled with unwavering determination, her arms and legs straining from the effort. The rope dug into her skin, and she gasped for breath, her face etched with exhaustion and pain. It was as if the weight of their past had been transferred to that sled, and Nivalis was carrying it all. Nivalis's determination and love for her children were what kept her going.
— "Mommy, are you okay?" Silvia asked, her high-pitched voice trembling with worry.
Nivalis turned to her daughter and managed a faint smile. "Yes, sweetie. Just a little tired," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Hours of unrelenting walking had drained Nivalis's strength. Her limbs felt like they were made of lead, and each breath was a struggle. Silvia noticed her mother's hollowed cheeks, sunken eyes, and skin that had grown pale and damp with exertion.
— "Mommy, you should rest," the girl whispered, rocking her brother. "I can walk a bit if you want."
"It's okay, my dear. Just focus on keeping your brother warm," she said, continuing to pull the sled without pause.
— "But, Mommy..." Silvia started to argue, but Nivalis gently hushed her a moment later.
"We'll take a break soon, okay? I promise," Nivalis murmured, her breaths creating shimmering white clouds.
Silvia nodded, though her concern lingered. As they continued their exhausting journey, the little girl decided to chat with her baby brother, hoping to distract herself from the overwhelming fear and drowsiness. She leaned closer to Aster, his small body cradled in her arms. "Hey, little brother," Silvia cooed, her fingers gently touching his lips, "are you okay?"
Aster gurgled, his innocent eyes blinking up at her. "Hehe, I don't think he understands me yet," she mumbled, her voice soothing and sweet. "But that's okay. I'll talk to you all the time, and then, you'll start talking, too." She looked at his tiny face and wondered about the kind of conversations they would have in the future.
— "And we will have so much fun! I will show you the prettiest flowers and tell you stories and..." her voice trailed off as she realized this might not be the case. Ever since she could remember herself, she was told just how dangerous this forest was. And now they have to walk through it.
— "I wish we could just play and have fun," she thought, a lump forming in her throat. She wished for a normal, happy, carefree childhood for them, somewhere safe, not this tough escape through the cold forest. Silvia took a deep breath, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. "You're so lucky, you know. Relaxing, all bundled up and warm," she murmured, her soft lips brushing against her brother's head.
With his round, wide eyes, her baby brother kept blinking up at her. "I bet all you are thinking about is milk," Silvia whispered playfully, chucking. Aster opened his mouth, his tiny tongue reaching out, making the girl giggle. "Of course you are!"
Amidst the sweet coos of her brother and Nivalis's labored breaths, the forest seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with tension. Then, out of nowhere, a branch snapped in the distance. It was the loudest thing they'd ever heard in the quiet woods. Nivalis, who had been pulling the sled, froze. Her eyes grew big with alarm, and her heart thudded in her chest.
"Shh, keep quiet, Silvia," Nivalis cautioned, her voice low and tense.
Silvia nodded, her grip on her baby brother becoming even more protective. She felt her heart racing in her chest like a frightened rabbit caught in a trap. Fear hung heavily in the air, making it hard to breathe. Every rustle of a leaf seemed like a thunder.
After what felt like an eternity, Nivalis let out a sigh of relief and resumed pulling the sled. Silvia's anxiety eased slightly as well. "What was that, Mommy?" the girl's voice wavered as she spoke, her golden eyes wide with worry.
"I'm not sure, sweetie. Probably a rabbit," Nivalis replied in a tired voice, trying to sound confident.
— "But what if it was a wolf?" Silvia asked, her tone rising slightly in alarm. She couldn't help but imagine the worst, her mind conjuring up images of fierce wolves prowling the forest, hungry for prey.
"Don't worry. Wolves usually stay away from people," Nivalis reassured her, though the worry in her eyes was clear. She desperately wanted to believe her own words.
Silvia tried to convince herself that her mother was right, but her childish imagination ran wild, with images of vicious beasts popping into her head, lurking in the shadows and waiting to attack.
The forest was quiet once more. All that could be heard was the steady crunch of footsteps in the fresh snow and the occasional creak of the wooden sled. "Don't worry, little brother," Silvia whispered, sounding almost like crying. Her words were meant to offer reassurance not just to him but also to herself.
The wind howled through the trees, its mournful song echoing through the forest, adding a haunting melody to their journey. Silvia huddled with her brother, their tiny bodies pressed close for warmth and security, like two little birds in a nest. "You're so sweet, you know that? We are a family. You, me, and Mommy. This means we'll always be together!" she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
Silvia had no way of knowing that her mother, Nivalis, was listening to her comforting words. They gave her the strength to put one foot before the other. The love she felt for her children was the strongest force in the world, and it gave her the strength to keep moving, even when her body cried for rest.
"We are a family," Nivalis whispered so quietly that even Silvia couldn't hear it. Her voice was thick with emotion, and a single tear trickled down her cheek, glistening like a diamond in the sun's rays. "We are a family," Nivalis repeated, her voice growing stronger, her steps quickening while Silvia kept chatting with her baby brother, filling the silence with her cheerful voice.
Nivalis stole a glance at her children, a faint but genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips. The sled's weight, which had seemed impossible, now felt manageable.