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Nymph

The scarlet sky drew weary as I fled through dawn’s pale mist. The air wafting the aroma of fresh peat and pine needles was a delight that tinkered with my senses. The moon died solely hours before, dragging a glazed sun into view. Icicles had developed and a fresh thicket of snow made each of my footsteps heavy. I staggered in thought and in effort. I had been walking for about an hour, delivering important news to Mr Templeton. He’s lovely man, which was why I was so distraught about bringing him such morbid news. His son had been found dead a few miles outside of town. He had no communication devices and no television, so frankly I was the one to tell him being his closest neighbour. I wrapped into my coat, huddling my arms at my hips. As I raced, the twigs and branches became like a doomed maze. I couldn’t think straight, as I rummaged through. My mind was in a haze but I kept on target. I soon came to a deserted clearing, surrounded by muddled rocks and a few dormant caves. The scorching sun shone above, making the new snow vanish before it even hit the ground. I felt mildly faint and sat down on a sturdy rock. A rest wouldn’t hurt, would it? I took off my hat and gently rubbed hands against my eyes. I dusted the snow off my jacket and then sat boldly. I was gazing blankly towards the thicket of trees. The morning mist had ceased being so fierce, which gave me a sigh of release. Perhaps the rest of my journey wouldn’t be so daunting after all, or so I thought. I lay down, famished after a long journey. I wasted carelessly into a deep sleep. I’m not quite sure how long had passed. But it was long enough for a brand new layer of snow to cover me. It was as soon as I flicked my eyelids open, I felt a faint rusting at my right leg. It took a minute to waken, but as I did I realised it was a humans touch. I straightened, and my movement must have scared whatever was there because the touch left me. I raised and looked to my feet. There was the most wondrous sight I had ever looked upon. It was a naked woman of about my age, rubbing my feet in the gentlest way possible. Her touch felt like the cool side of a pillow, but I was slightly disorientated and confused. I had never felt like this before. I just stared not daring to make a move. She did not look near my direction, just stroked my leg back and forth. Her eyes were focused, but in an act of confusion I released my leg from her grip. She was like a timid deer. She twitched from my side and fell loose on the icy ground. She was like no woman I’ve ever seen. Her eyes drew into large points which greatly exceeded the side of her head. Her hair was a golden shimmer, as the early sun reflected. A snowflake landed on her limestone skin and melted instantly forming a wet crescent on her face. Her eyes looked almost oriental. They were so large and mysterious; as she glared solemnly at me looking quite intrigued. I studied her framework, and she examined mine. Every twitch I made fascinated her. She was sitting on the powdered land. Her skin showed no discomfort, quite different in comparison with mine. She sat with her head bowed to one side; she made neither a flinch nor a move. Her hair covered her breasts, which I suspect gave her some kind of dignity. She was completely convinced (By her expression) that what she was doing was normal. The only time she moved at all was when she stroked her left hand gracefully through her hair. I had never seen such a vast beauty. Her pale body had a cleansing aura about it, which I had never seen anything like before. She started crying. Her tears where ruby red, she cried tears of blood. Each tear left a stain, the warmth denting the snow. I wandered towards her; she backed a little but I assured her I wouldn’t hurt her. She huddled, yet her eyes remained glued on me. Her crying ceased, and left her with two scarlet smears running her cheeks. I was cautious not to be too jumpy. “What’s your name?” I asked with such anticipation of getting an answer. She remained silent and still; I sat myself on the rock eagerly, quite close to her. I talked slowly hoping she would interrupt and speak. I moved a little closer, fastening my jacket knowing I had somewhat of a journey still to go. I told her I was a little lost. “My names Morgan Front, I’m trying to get somewhere, Mr Templeton’s house do you know him?” and I’m not sure why but that triggered a response. She raised and brought her face to my level. She mimed something I couldn’t understand, and then blew an icy breath at my face. Her breath stung like a thousand needles. She grabbed my hand and led me out of the clearing knowing exactly where she was going. I stared in amazement in the context in which she knew the forest. She glided carelessly seeming to know where every branch was located, where every rock on the ground lied. The fog had become less dense and for first time I could see. Along with seeing my surroundings clearly for the first time I also seen just how radiant and beautiful the girl was. I waffled in tongue as we walked, she neither replied nor took any particular interest in my ramblings; but she seemed to understand nether the less. There lay a lake ahead of us, and for the first time a real obstacle stood in our way. The girl showed no sign of slowing, and I felt my feet sweep from under me. We pranced, gliding anonymously through the trees, branches scratching fast. The mist lingered closely to the ground supplying an essence of secrecy to the forest. Our feet rambled displacing the crisp elements of the forest floor. Not knowing exactly where I was, I put all my trust in the girl for direction and movement. She whispered delicately as she skipped elegantly with anticipation. We soon came to another clearing, to which I was somewhat glad to see for I had not had a rest in so long. It was a little cove, hidden in a thicket of trees. The late sum shone violently over head. The girl raised her hand and brought it to her mouth. She then made a strange whistling noise. At once about eight beautiful women came out of the tree trunks. All of them looked remarkably similar to the girl. The trees cracked as they released a woodland beauty. It was if each figure was suspended inside the tree as a cocoon. The girl stood and stared making some sort of gesture. Each woman came over towards me and kissed my cheeks. They fussed as if I was royalty, until the girl whistled for a second time and they all left. The girl came towards me, knelt and whispered in my ear “Nightshade”.She kissed my cheek and whistled one last time. All the other women bowed to the girl as she entered her own tree. Her icy presence had left me and I felt alone. When she had safely returned all the other women still staring at me left in the same matter. I was left in utter disbelief, and emptiness started to dwell inside me. I continued with my journey. I reached Mr Templeton’s house just as night had taken over the sky. Moonlight beamed down upon me as I was invited into his home. Mr Templeton was quite happy to see me. I wasn’t happy to see him. “Want some coffee son, I’m sure you’re iced”, he said laughing. “Actually Mr Templeton, I have some news to tell you please sit down. His eyes got bigger as I told him about his son’s death, tears swelled deep inside him. Part of him seemed to die. He walked about and knelled crying on the floor. When he was finished I comforted him. “You know my wife passed away two years ago. I was so ashamed by her death that I shut myself from the town. She was a woman of the forest. Now I have no-one. Legend says though, that women of the forest become nymphs in there next lives. “What exactly is a nymph sir?” I said. “Well they are creatures of surplus beauty, which lives inside a mystical world. “What was your wife’s name?” I said remembering. “Her name was Nightshade”!