Frozen Heart Chapter 06.

It was the darkness again. Soft, yet heavy at the same time, also sticky like a swamp. She heard the voices even more loud and clear.

"Where am I?" her voice lost in the empty space.

In the next moment light appeared under her feet that grew rapidly. Huntress felt her body falling into the hole and the light blind her. When she opened her eyes again she stood in a garden, above her a castle's towers grew high. It was summer, the trees already bloom their flowers and now the sunshine shimmered on the green leaves. She heard a soft thump. Turned to the left and her eyes widened.

Long, feathered arrow vibrated in the middle of a target. Further an elder fox stood with a bow in the hand. His red fur now turned grayish and hoary, one of his ear was torned, ugly scar blinded the left eye. He wore a small hat and leather armor with shirt and trousers. The fox sighed annoyed and rubbed his torn ear.

"Missed again. Geez I'm not that young I used to be."

"Huntsman!" heard a voice and small feet were pattering on the grass.

"Molly, what are you doing here? Class is over?" Huntsman turned around to meet a small, female cat. She was around seven, only reached up his waist. She wore light, baggy shirt and short, her eyes shined enthusiastically.

"Well yes... I just rushed to be with you again." she answered then peeked at the target "Practicing again?"

"Yeah, but its getting worse..." frowned the fox.

"Why? The arrow is in the middle."

"Not exactly! I missed the middle with a few centimeter." he sighed and sat onto a stone bench. Molly sat next to him.

"Please don't be sad. You still the best archer I ever see."

"Thank you Molly. And how do you feel?" Huntsman patted the girl's head.

"I'm just fine. See? It already not hurt" unbuttoned her shirt a little and touched a long, fresh scar on her chest "I not feel any difference."

"It's good to hear. Come here you little bastard!" grinned the fox, grabbing and licking Molly. The girl screamed and laughed with joy, it was an unfamiliar sound between the castle's walls. The cat hugged the elder's neck and nuzzled.

"I love you Huntsman" she whispered purring.

"I love you too, Molly." he said and embraced the little girl.

The scene blurred and twisted in front of Huntress's eyes into another memory. It was winter now, everything was covered with pure snow. Huntsman stood in the middle of the garden, watching the bald apple trees. His ears moved when he heard footsteps from behind.

"You sound concerned, Molly." the fox turned around to see a trembling female just a few steps away from him. She was around 11 years old, her eyes were red and hold a silver dagger in her hand. Huntsman sighed a little "I see... So she sent you."

"S...she ordered me to..." stammered the cat.

"I know. Then... seems this is the end for me." answered Huntsman calm.

"No... it's not the end... you can escape."

"I won't. If you not do what the Queen ordered, then you'll be in trouble."

"I'll be fine..." her voice choke. The fox knew she's struggling. Made a kind sigh and went closer to the teen, placing a hand onto her trembling one.

"Let's finish it together, shall we?"

"N-no... I don't want..."

"Molly. My time is over. The Queen wants to get rid off this old flea bag, and I can understand her decision. I'm just a burden to the castle..."

"Please don't say this! I can't... I don't want to kill you" Molly bit her bottom lips.

"Shhh... it's okay." touched her cheek kindly "I was ready for it in a while. I'm not afraid of death."

"But I do! I not want to lose you!" shouted the female sad.

"You will never lose me." the fox embraced her "I will always be with you..."

There was a pull and a weak moan. Molly's eyes widened in shock, felt something warm flew down her hand. Huntsman smiled at her while the strength slowly left his body.

"No... NO!" the female caught him not to fall. She knelt down and rested his head on her lap. The fox panted heavily, holding a hand on the knife stabbed into his chest. The snow around colored in red.

"D...don't be sad..." he stammered feeble "You d...did nothing wrong..."

"But..." Molly couldn't hold back the tears anymore "You're my only friend. I don't want you leave!"

"Molly... Please understand it... and let me go. My... life ends here... but you must live... and... maybe one day... you will find... your happiness..."

"Huntsman..." the cat hold his hand.

"Molly... I... l-love you... like if you w-were my own daughter..." the female startled, but then she leaned closer and nuzzled his cheek, softly purring.

"And I'll love you as my own father, forever."

"Mo...lly..." Huntsman smiled, his grasp on her hand eased, as he closed his eyes. Molly felt his heart beating weaker and weaker, and, with a last breath it stopped.

"Huntsman... HUNTSMAN!" Molly's scream echoed and the memory shattered like a mirror.

In the present the Huntress awakened with a shout. When she realized the place she groaned and hit the ground. Tears covered her cheek.

"Why..." sobbed "Why you left me... Huntsman..."

To be continued...