All she could see was ice.
Her eyes flashed around, searching desperately for an escape. The blizzard swirled around her frail body, getting tighter and tighter like a constrictor. Panic swelled inside her chest like steam and she clenched her bare, burning toes. Think, think, she tried to reason with herself, but couldn't conceive a thought over the roaring of the frigid winds.
She tried to yell, "help," but her words caught in her throat. She choked and started to sob.
"Elsa," echoed a woman's voice. She tried to point out where the sound came from, but it didn't have a direction. It just… appeared.
"Wh-who is it?" She gathered her courage to yell out.
"Elsa. Elsabeth," the curious voice continued.
"Who's there?" She screamed, tears beginning to stream down her face. "What's going on? Help me!" She folded her arms across her nightdress.
The voice laughed a warm, welcoming laugh. "You know who I am."
Elsa sobbed, stunned by the voice's melodic, soothing qualities. The woman laughed again but this time it came from behind Elsa. She turned quickly on her heel, and saw a small shadow walking toward her.
The silhouette had a long, thin robe billowing behind her. She was elegant and graceful but also gave off an essence of bravery and nobility. As she walked forward, Elsa could make out her features. She had bright, kind eyes and a beautiful, adolescent-like face.
"Mother?" Elsa wondered aloud, distracted from the blizzard.
Idun smiled, "Yes, my darling child."
"Help me, Mama," Elsa pleaded.
"Elsabeth. You cannot stop this by fighting it. Do you understand, my darling? No matter what. You cannot fight this. You must run, Elsa." Idun's face turned fearful and panicked.
"Mama. What are you saying?" Elsa was taken aback by her mother's fear and cowardice. Her mother and father raised her to fight for what was hers and never run away from fear.
"Elsa!" Idun screamed, terrified by her own words. "Run!" She pointed behind Elsa and screamed again: "Run, Elsa! Run! Run!"
Elsa felt numb with horror. She turned on her heel, gathered up her skirts and ran. She could still hear her mother screaming but kept running until her feet bled. She saw the cliff before her, its jagged edges like teeth. She tried her best to stop, but couldn't. She ran at full speed to the darkness below and fell into the chasm with a scream.
Elsa woke with a start, the heat of Savannah, Georgia warming her like an old friend. She struggled to catch her breath and clawed at her chest.
When the door burst open, Elsa cried in fear. It was only Ruth, one of the slaves father bought for the manor.
"Are you alright, Elsa?" Ruth asked with a concerned smile, holding up a gas lamp.
Elsa panted and nodded at the young woman. "Yes, thank you Ruth," Elsa reassured and Ruth exited the room.
It was a lie, Elsa thought, because even as she laid her head on her pillow she could hear her mother whispering, "run."