Among the wreckage and ruin of society, sits a young vagabond, Meàirleach, possessing hair like fine spun gold. Relying on the kindness of human nature, she freezes on the winter streets, slowly dying. For when man is forced to survive he reverts to beast, such is his nature. Meàirleach's real name was lost long ago, forgotten from lack of recitation. She pulled the thin cotton textile that acted as a caplet tightly around her. Her dead eyes scanned the streets for a place to rest, settling listlessly on a nearby ally. Crouching into its comforting darkness, the dank alley engulfed her as she pulled her limbs to her frail chest. She felt the snowflakes kissing her fragile skin, like embers popping form a restless fire. Her eyelids heavied and she embraced the darkness that followed.
As dark night gives way to grey dawn, the young boy by the name of Edan prowls the frozen streets in search of forgotten objects. On one lucky morn he had come across a necklace laden with gold, a treasure which he quickly traded for seeds. But most days were not so fateful. On this particularly brisk morning, Edan did not appear to be so lucky. With the night had come a soft blanketing of snow, making it hard to find anything that may be hiding beneath her cold underbelly. In much the same manor that pigs dig for truffles, Edan pawed through the snow. Coming up empty handed, the young boy went forward, glancing down every street, every ally, for anything abandoned that he may make use of, and in doing so, something came to his notice. something slouched into the crook of two buildings. Easing closer he noted the object was a girl. Edan's heart accelerated, for he knew the wealth that could come from a dead girl. But to Edan's disappointment, this dead girl he found nestled into the side of a building, was not dead. She was in fact, ever slightly, alive. For from the girls pale lips dripped a tiny wisp of smoke indicating breathe. Edan was quite too young to know of such things as lust and love, but this beautiful not dead girl draped in snow drew him closer. With soft fingers he moved her restless bangs from her face, and she stirred slightly from the warmth. Eden gently wriggled his strong limbs under the girl, and being a couple years older then she, was able to lift her with some effort. With her pale face nestled into his warm chest, Eden made the slow but yet steady journey home.
