BACKSTORY:
It was snowing. It snowed so hard, and relentless, as if the sky had an unresolvable issue with the earth.
The wind carried the snow across the forest in sharp waves that stung exposed skin and stole warmth from everything it touched.
Aire pulled her thin cloak tighter around herself.
It didn't help.
The fabric was old, worn, and too small for winter. The cold slipped through it easily, biting into her skin until her fingers had gone numb hours ago.
Her nose was bright red, and her cheeks had lost most of their color. Even her lips trembled whenever the wind hit her directly.
Still, she kept walking.
The oversized bow bounced lightly against her shoulder as she trudged through the snow.
She took one step, then another, while making sure she don't drop to the floor. Her boots sank deep into the white earth.
Every movement felt heavier than the last.
