Chapter 1

Dreams

No, no, no, this can't be happening to me, as the line of torches advances on her. I didn't even do anything wrong I was just walking thru town when this rude man ran right thru me, couldn't he see that I was walking there, so inconsiderate. Now the whole town thinks I'm a bad omen why can the see me all of a sudden 200 years of being invisible, now they see me. I turn and run for the edge hoping it's not too high, of course it is, that's just perfect suddenly a hard burning hot object hits me in the back. ahh! I yell something is tearing at my flesh I turn just in time to see the line of torches closer than before and one at my feet before i plummet down. I'm dead, 200 years on this world not knowing why I'm here or what I was supposed to do, man in moon you could have told me something at least other than always staring back at me with your unblinking eyes. Well as I feel the air around me rushing past I sense the ground is close what I didn't except is the fluffy white landing quite soft I guess this day is full of surprises as I go to stand a wipe off the snow from the very deep snow bank noticing the fire on my back put out lucky I guess looking up I see the faces staring at me I wave then turn and take a step unaware that I am standing on thin ice until i hear it. a large booming echoing crack reverberates thru my body I look down in time to see the crack grow wider splitting the soft layer snow. Aw come on is my last thought as the ice breaks and I slip into the cold unforgiving water beneath the surface.

I've got to be less sarcastic is my first thought, wow I'm alive I'm breathing I'm not in cold icy water or was being chased by those cruel faces suddenly I can't remember anything about the horrible dream like it never happened as the small voice beside me whispers "Jessica I had the dream again"

"Come here Aric everything's going to be fine" I say reassuring him sleepily.

"Can I sleep with you I don't get night mares when you're here?"

"You just got your own bed thou."

"Please, I'll help you gather the winterberries!"

"Fine, hurry thou its cold" she says with a grin already thinking of the sweet taste of the winterberries.

As soon as he's tucked in beside her he asks her "can you tell me about the Guardians again?"

"That old tale, you've must have herd it a hundred times" but before he can plead with her to tell the tale she adapts her story telling voice and begins "Once there was a time of fear in the land the boogey man was the source of it. It was a terrible time no hope or good dreams no Christmas" she says tickling him bringing a small smile to his childish features before continuing "only fear, then 4 noble and brave Guardians came forth . . ."

Somewhere in the middle of the story her sweet little brother nodded off into the land of dreams but she still finished the story because she loved to hear it as much as he did. She couldn't get enough of the guardians anything she herd she latched on to, like a dog with a bone. Every time a new person came to town and they stayed in her parents inn, sometimes when a weary traveller with little coin but looked as thou he had traveled far my father would say he could pay with a fine story even when they just made up one she was hooked on every word, even from bad story's she couldn't get enough of hearing how people described something. 100 people could all describe a tree just a normal tree but of those only a few could spin the words and leave you captivated, her father said she had the gift for it but she didn't think so it's just for fun for her. Her weary mind finally settles and she slip into the dream world. Dreaming of winterberries, and the fun times from days long past of the snow filled season of death.

"Unfortunately the berries won't ripe for picking, but they might be in a few days" she had told her little brother to cheer him up after an expression of great sadness had taken over his bright features At looking at the still green berries on the great bushes beside the cliff "Hey, don't get too close to the edge" I called after him as he started checking every berry on the bush just to be sure, his sad sigh is loud in he suddenly quite forest " I don't like this, come on Aric lets go see if mom needs any help with the washing."

"Awe come on can't we play in the woods a bit longer"

"No we can't but I promise latter we can come out and find some bunny tracks!" another sad sigh is heard before she starts laughing and walking down the path. Her little brother grins to himself as he sees the open target of the back of her head reaching down he grabs a fist full of snow and chucks it her way. It crunches on the back of her head.

"Direct hit!" he yells as he runs as fast as his little legs could carry him past her and further down the path

Barley keeping her basket on her back she bends down and scoops up a hand full of the white power before sprinting after him yelling in reply "I'm going to get you" shuddering as the snow melts down the back of her neck, but that couldn't keep the wide smile off her lovely face.

They return to the inn drenched from head to toe just as her father comes around the corner of the barn, as soon as he sees the two children shivering and covered in snow he can't supress his laughter "looks like you got her good Aric" grinning from ear to ear he looks at me with his childish face yeah I truly was the one with more snow on me.

"He's a really good shot" I say before shaking out my dark hair over his head him laughing and yelling for me to stop.

"You two go get cleaned up" he says chuckling "your mothers in the house she'll need some help with getting the water and the washing"

"Yes dad" her little brother yells a little too loudly causing another chuckle from their father.

"Oh, Jessica I almost forgot are the winterberries ready yet I just can't wait" he says licking his lips.

"They'll be ready in a few days Dad" I reply without thinking.

"Great well I've got to get these horse shoes to the black smith in town I'll be back tomorrow" he comes over to us and gives us both big hugs before walking off yelling behind him " be good for your mother she's having a rough time with the neighbors boys dumping stuff in our well farewell"

"Bye dad" we yell after him.

"Oh no" I say to Aric "the basket it's not on my back I must have dropped it up the path if mom finds out I lost it we'll never hear the end of it"

"you run up the path and get it, I'll cover for you while you're gone it's only a five minuet run" my mouth drops open sometimes his childish features make me forget how old he really is I'm sixteen and he's 10 he acts like he's five all the time but he is actually very smart so I quickly agree to the hair brained scheme, I turn, and run up the path.

Author's note: ya so opening to my new story hope you guys like it and drop a review :)