The stars in the sky were just beginning to twinkle into life, dotting the sky one after another. I always loved the beautiful colors that danced around in the sky here exclusively, they were much prettier than the gloomy skies of England. With this perfect cold and clear night, I felt like I could view the entire world, as a matter of fact, I felt like I was on top of it. There was no one here to bug me and no one here to track me down like an animal. Here in Siberia, I felt more at home than anywhere else. Sometimes I even forgot my past and horrifying reality and just allow myself to escape in the scenery, letting the icy winds to take me where they please.
I took a deep breath of the night air and let it out in a puff of white wisps. The snow beneath me felt soft and numbing, though by now I was glad to have built a resistance to it. I cuddled my scarf closer and hummed. This is truly the best feeling I've every experienced, though I only know few words to describe it, one comes to mind first; freedom. I gently eased myself into a lying position, resting my head into the snow like a pillow. The snow groaned as I sunk in a few inches, bringing a small smile to my face. Though my body was freezing cold and my fingers were numb, I could feel a growing warmth inside. This is what I'd hoped for ever since leaving my birthplace; peace of mind. No yapping dogs at the stroke of midnight in the pursuit of the hunt, no massive explosions and flaring light, no angered shouts, no more shallow sleeping from shed to shed with the worry of being discovered, none of that. Now I was free to my own existence in the middle, or rather, top of nowhere. And the best thing yet: No more huma-
I was jolted from my musing as a piercing cry tore through the air. My hands flew to my ears and I winced. God did I hate loud sounds. I sat up quickly, brushing the snow from my shoulders and back. "What was that?" The question drifted from my ice-cold lips as I glanced around in confusion. I could have swore that I heard a scream...
Another scream rang out, cut out quickly and unnaturally. I flew to my feet and warily glanced in all directions. That was no animal. All of my previous thoughts faded away to be replaced by worry. I started to walk in the direction it came from, tilting my head. Something was wrong, what had happened now of all times?
I quickened my pace a bit as the silence began to stretch on. The farther I trekked the more anxious I became. What if they'd already died out here? Humans cant survive out in the cold for long as it is.
A gasp escaped my throat as something came into view, a hole in the ground? I stopped abruptly and stared down at the ground. This must be the beginning of the great lake. I bent down and dug away at the snow, clearing it off of a clear film of water. My eyebrows lifted and I looked back towards the hole. They must have fallen in. Now I was really worried, what if I had taken too long? They could be dead any second now!
I carefully placed my feet farther apart than usual and hurried over the ice. I felt my heart leap into my throat after every step. Any misstep could result in my own watery grave. After a few more agonizing minutes, I reached the hole. I slowly bent down to my knees and peered inside. The water was too deep and dark to see anything, only the stars and silhouette of my face shone back. I panicked, swishing my hand through the water in search of something. Nothing but unforgiving icy-water. I glanced back and forth, finding only a smashed lantern. I stared hopelessly at the water, frowning. I'm seriously going to hate this...
I unraveled my scarf and set it on the ice a few feet away, throwing my jacket on top. Chills instantly shot up my spine as the cold slapped against my skin. Without another moment to spare, I dove in feet first.
The water hit me like an icy explosion, snapping my eyes open in shock. Air bubbled up from my nose as I tried to delve deeper. I felt around with my hands in the pitch darkness, hoping against all odds for something. A twinge of relief burst in my chest when I felt something solid just below me. I reached forward and nudged it; a body. It was limp, drifting downward towards the bottom of the lake. I pushed forward and managed to wrap my arm around them. Quickly with time ticking against my own breath, I swam to the surface. I exploded out of the water, gasping and hurrying to pull the body up and out. The air stung like hot needles, freezing my hair to my skin. I shook like crazy, blundering to throw the body onto the ice and pull myself up. Once they were out with a thud, I threw myself up as well. The snow froze like a blanket of death, burning to the bone. I hurriedly grabbed the body and my clothing and bundled up. My eyes skimmed over them with worry.
It was a young woman, her blonde hair darkened with water and pulled into two pigtails that stuck to the base of her neck. I frowned, picking up her wrist. She was still alive, if only barely. With as much care as I could spare, I wrapped my scarf around her neck and pulled her into a better position to hold. I moved as fast as I could while still being careful towards my home. She was so cold, I feared the worst...
The moment I got back to the barn, I felt like I was going to collapse. I slammed the doors shut behind myself and quickly set her down on a pile of hay. She jittered every few moments while I shakily bolt the doors to keep the cold out. We're both soaking wet, our clothes almost completely frozen to our skin. I work quickly to wrap my coat around her properly, discovering a large gash in her leg. My coat is stained with even more blood. I frown as I view her as a whole. She looked pitifully cold and half dead with her paled skin.
I strode over to the stalls where I keep most of my supplies. A first-aid box sat on one of the shelves while a horse blanket lay crinkled in the corner where I had left it the morning before. It wasn't much but it's all I have to work with. I grabbed both of them and returned to the girl. Kneeling down beside her, I wrapped the blanket over her, pulling it up to reveal her injured leg. Blood streamed from it like a sluggish river, running down her calf and into her shoe. I opened the box and pulled out a roll of bandages. My eyes flicked up to her face with worry, I cannot keep my thoughts silent.
What am I doing? This doesn't feel right...
I ignore them and continue to bandage the wound to stop the bleeding. The bandages grow red around the gash, though I try to keep pressure on it. My hands shook too much, it's getting hard to keep them steady. I reached the end of the bandages and carefully smoothed it down while I leaned to the side and retrieve a pin. Once it is safely secured I pull the blanket back over her and press my palm to my forehead. I heaved a shaky sigh and tried to calm myself. Everything was happening way to fast for me to comprehend. I took another deep breath and held it before exhaling.
"It's okay... You have a human in your home now, but that's alright. You just risked your life for them, but that's fine too. They're sleeping with your blanket and that's... okay." I felt a groan rumble in my throat. My eyes travel to her face and I sigh. "I couldn't have just left her there to die." She heaved a shiver and pulled the blankets closer. My movements became slow and gentle as I came closer to her. I reached over and carefully removed a string of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. She was such a fragile looking creature, so unfit for these lands. I looked down to her dress with a frown. She certainly wasn't dressed for the cold... A foreigner.
I glanced out the window above our heads with a curious glint in my eye. Why was she out here in the dead of night traveling across a frozen lake? One star glinted more than the rest in the sky, odd among the others. I sighed and crawled over to the opposite corner of the barn where there was a bit of hay still accumulated. My eyes traveled back over to her briefly before I lied down and scrounged around for a minute.
Sleep was harder to find than I had expected... but I was so very tired...
I thought that I had died, drowned in that frozen lake never to be discovered. I thought that this was it, that I'd never see Alfred or anyone else I'd grown to love, that now I could finally revisit mom and dad, that my life had ended so easily. That is until I felt the throbbing pain and the burning in my leg, the left one to be exact. But my mind had too been frozen, I couldn't really understand what was going on just yet. One thing was for sure, I was in fact alive.
There was a faint voice just outside my numbing cloud, it sounded foreign to me. I tried to muster enough energy to at least open my eye, failing in the process.
Something folded the my blanket under my body to help conserve heat. Their touch was gentle and hesitant. I just shrugged it off as my brother babying me again... as always.
A cold hand brushed my cheek, sending horrible chills down my spine. I gave a shudder and hugged the blanket tighter.
They backed off and I assumed left me be. I took a deep breath only to be interrupted by a coughing fit. Water rose from my throat and I turned my head to the side to cough up what felt like a river of metallic-tasting liquid. I grumbled and tried to hide my head beneath the blankets. The rough feeling of hay rested beneath me, causing me to wonder. Alfred didn't take me home? Where am I?
I lifted my head. "Alfred?"
He moved towards me and I opened an eye. Everything was blurry as I had not opened my eyes in ages. All I could see was a face, though its features were not in focus. I rubbed my eyes and blinked them a few times.
"Jeez Al, how long have I been-" A shockwave of terror blew through me. I shrieked and hid my face. That wasn't Alfred, it wasn't even human! My mind spun with the sudden adrenaline. This has got to be a dream! Oh please dear god please tell me this is a dream! I felt their hand carefully peel away the blanket from my face. Another scream tore through me.
"N-no! Please don't hurt me!" I blocked my face with my hands, feeling tears well up in my eyes. This can't be happening! It's just a horrible nightmare! A fever dream!
"Shh. I'm not going to harm you." I heard it mutter.
I shook my head, stifling a sob. I would have rather drowned than die like this, at the hands of this monster! "P-please, my brother and I didn't mean to trespass!"
"Open your eyes." It prompted.
"No please!"
"Open them, now." Its voice was more forceful.
I whimpered, hesitantly opening them. Its horrifying face came into view again, sending chills down my spine. Their amethyst eyes stared at me with a burning intensity, though one looked to be partially blind. The scars covering its face were sewn together with thick surgical thread, making it uneven and atrocious. It frowned at me when I clearly suppressed a fearful cry.
"Why are you here?" Its voice rumbled again.
I swallowed, feeling its eyes burn through me like flames. To kill you before you kill anyone else.
"My b-brother and I, w-we're here to hunt elk."
It stared at me for a minute, narrowing its eyes. "You are not lying to me, are you иностранец?"
I shook my head a bit too quick for my liking. "N-no, of course not."
Its gaze softened a little, giving me a bit of relief. "You have been asleep for two days, are you hungry?"
Unfortunately my awakening has left me without an appetite, so...
"No... er, th-thank you.." I can't believe any of this... Why is it speaking to me?!
It came closer to me and I flinched. Another frown. "Are you feeling ill?"
"N-no, really, I'm-" It rested its palm against my forehead, sending more chills down my spine.
"You're bit warm..." It took its hand away and leaned back.
I set my own hand over my forehead, rubbing away the chill left by its fingers. A question rested on the tip of my tongue. "What... what are you doing?"
It blinked in question. "Hmm?"
"You're keeping me warm, you're taking care of me..." I looked down to the faint throbbing coming from my leg where a white linen bandage covered my wound. "You're healing my wounds... Why?"
It looked completely baffled. "I... I am not sure as to why I am. I found you submerged in an icy lake two nights ago, one can only assume you needed help." It shrugged. "I almost never get any visitors up here."
I felt confused by its words. What's going on here...?
"What is it that others call you?" It asked, tilting its head curiously.
My eyebrows lifted. "Uh... M-my name?" It nodded encouragingly. "I-I'm... Madeline." I looked nervously back to the monster. What would it do with this information, I wondered with an anxious mind.
Its eyebrows raised. "Mad...eh...line..." It tried pronouncing my name for a few moments, breaking it down into segments.
I bit my lip nervously. "Do you...uh, you have a... name?" Perhaps it will answer?
It looked at me for a long moment, seemingly confused. "Me? A name?" Its eyes darkened. "I can only remember fragments..." Its voice lowered into a whisper. "I think I had a name once, it sounded like..." It paused in thought. "I-van..." His whole demeanor darkened as well and his eyes flicked away."At least that was until... well... he became me..."
I felt my stomach churn as I remembered Arthur's tale. "No one would miss the poor soul, he was a criminal at heart. So, who would miss the chap's head if it disappeared?"
"Ivan, a-alright. Nice to... em... meet you then." I tried to smile the best I could manage with a cloud of fear still hanging over my shoulders.
Ivan gave a faint smile, one that did not look twisted in any way. Dare I say it looked somewhat genuine? But for some reason, his lips pulled in a rather awkward way, that seemed to be unnatural for him. "It is nice to meet you as well Madeline."
I could see the excitement in his eyes, though it somehow unnerved me. What could he possibly be thinking!?
He seemed to notice my worry as he shook his head with a wider smile. I visibly winced at his toothy grin. "Ah, my apologies Madeline, I'm just so- so joyous!" I could see his whole face flushing, even over the scar lining nose and cheek. "I've never actually met someone face to face before."
I tilted my head to the side, giving him a questioning look. Well I wonder why...
Ivan disregarded my expression and looked down at my blanket. "Are you cold? I can get you another blanket if you would like."
"W-well... I-I'm a bit cold... b-but-"
He nodded, standing up straight. "I'll be right back, please rest while I get you another blanket." I hesitantly leaned back down onto the hay, giving him one last glance. It wasn't extremely comfortable, but I assumed it was better than the bare ground.
Ivan stood up straight and turned away, disappearing behind the wall separating the entrance of the barn from the stables.
I eyed every feature of his body as he left, allowing my curiosity to get the better of me. He was wearing a long filthy scarf around his neck that reached far behind himself, swishing around along with his stride. His shirt looked like nothing more than a scrapped piece of linen with holes for arms, as did his pants. I couldn't help but notice the uneven patches of skin tone on the skin that was visible. I felt a sickening fear rush through me for a split second as he turned his head and our eyes met before he was out of sight.
If this truly is the monster, and I am not one to argue with his first impression, then I must be at great risk. This creature has a terrible history of violence and an absence of remorse for the living. A chill ran down my spine as I wondered what kinds of things he must be doing behind that wall; what he may be plotting. Could he be sharpening a blade? Creating a poison? Or worse... gaining my trust before ripping me to shreds with his bare hands?
I didn't like that thought, not in any way possible. My fear only fueled more possibilities. He was an it and it was a monster. If I stay any longer it is going to kill me! I slowly pushed the blankets from myself, trying to keep my trembling to a minimum. The air was cold against my still semi-wet skin, feeling like an icy blanket wrapped around me, crushing me. I took a deep breath and forced my chilled bones to move, wriggling into a standing position. My body was weak, so weak...
I glanced over to the space where the monster had disappeared; there was no sign of it coming back yet. Once again, I agonizingly began to move. I quickly made it to the barn doors and struggled to lift the wooden latch. Alarming sounds came from the other side of the wall, clattering as if someone were rummaging through something. I bit my lip and tried to lift the latch without a sound, my hands shaking far too much. All I have to do is get out of here and find Alfred, I'll be safe once I get back to the cabin.
Finally to my great relief, it loosened and I threw it up. The doors made a loud clunk as the sound of wind whistled in my ears. My eyes widened as the doors were blown open to reveal a storm of pure white, almost blinding my tired eyes. Snow quickly slapped against my skin, getting entangled in my hair and eyelashes while it stung my flesh. A whimper escaped my throat as I tried to skid backwards from the bitter cold. I immediately heard the monster's voice again from indoors.
"No! It isn't safe!" A harsh scream tore through my throat as a huge arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back inside. The monster not-so-kindly threw me down and hurried to close the doors. I felt my panic buzzing like a thick cloud of bees.
I am trapped in a closed space with a monster, and there is a storm raging outside that no human could survive; I am completely and utterly hopeless. Tears immediately came to my eyes and I folded into myself. My shivering and sobbing must have been pathetic to watch.
The cold air was suddenly cut off as the barn door -and my means of virtually impossible escape- were closed once more. I could feel the monster's evil presence loom once again above me, although I did not dare open my eyes. It slipped its arms underneath me and carried me back over to the hay pile. I squirmed and tried to fight him, but it was no use. Ivan gently set me back down and pulled the blanket back over my body.
A long moment of time passed, silent as if I was again in the dark abyss of unconsciousness. I hesitantly opened my eyes.
Ivan's face was all I could see, he was frowning, a somewhat ugly frown considering his scars. His eyes stared into mine as he leaned forward. I no longer possessed the energy or mental power to shy away. A cool hand was placed on my cheek, wiping away the tears wetting it.
"Please do not cry Madeline. I do not want to hurt you, I do not want you to go out in the storm." His frown seemed to dip lower. "I know that I may not look like you or the others, but that doesn't mean I cannot be a nice host." Ivan avoided my eyes. "Or at least that is what I'd like to try to be. You are a foreigner in these lands, yes?"
I swallowed. "I... I am."
"Then as any other reasonable person, should I not aid you in your time of need?" He persisted.
"But why? D-don't you kill people for a sport?" I blurted out, though within seconds I immediately regretted not holding my tongue.
Ivan became very silent, glancing only briefly towards me than back at the wall. "So you've heard." He sighed and stood up. "I had hoped you weren't- I didn't think that- you didn't-"
I tilted my head to see his face, suddenly worried.
"Again, it's happening again." His voice had become course with fury. "How many more, Madeline!?" He quickly snapped around towards me, causing me to jump. "How many more of you are there?!"
My eyes widened and I instinctively backed up. "W-what?" I felt my heart begin to hammer in my chest.
"How many more dogs has that wretched man sent?" Ivan had become terrifying, more monstrous than his looks. I wanted to scream, but my throat had tightened.
"Who?" I croaked. I had a terrible feeling that it was-
"ARTHUR! HOW MANY MORE OF YOU ARE THERE!?" He lashed out at me and grabbed my shoulders. I let out a cry of shock and fear. Ivan shook me roughly, his amethyst eyes burning into my face. "ANSWER ME!"
I shook my head, shutting my eyes tight. "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"
Ivan growled under his breath. "Lies! I knew you were just another one of his! Another lying human without any purpose beside murder!" He quickly tossed me down, knocking the air from my lungs. "Yes! I am a murderer Madeline! I kill for the sport, for the hunt! Every time Arthur sends another brave soul with greed in mind I am the reaper to rip the flesh from their bones! I am his nightmare, and so long as I am alive, I will torment him and any fresh meat he tosses my way!"
I whimpered, this was the end. The monster was going to kill me and go in search of my brother next! "P-please! S-stop!" My voice shook as I tried to calm my heart before it blew from my chest. "I-I am not here in any intent to kill you!"
He leaned closer yet, so close that I could feel his hot breath on my cheeks. It took a lot to not squirm from the awful stench. "Look me in the eyes, girl." His voice commanded. "Look at me and tell me that you are not just another one of his lackeys."
I stifled a sob and fearfully opened one eye. A scream nearly escaped me as I saw how close he actually was. His eyes held horrifying anger, such emotions would crush anyone with just a single glance. I could see how much he wanted to kill me... how easy it would be to split me in half. But something else clouded them, something I knew could never be comprehended by me or perhaps anyone else on this earth. He was... afraid?
I opened my other eye.
"Are you a killer Madeline? Do you dare break one of humanity's laws?" He continued.
I blinked, relishing in the millisecond that I could not see his eyes. "No. I am no killer." I murmured at last.
Ivan continued to stare at me, seeming to rummage through my personal thoughts. I could almost feel him picking out my lies. Suddenly, his hands released from my shoulders and he glanced away, resting down onto his knees. He stared down at his palms as if questioningly. I didn't dare let out the breath I was holding in fear of him snapping again. He reached a hand up and pulled his scarf looser in the front, revealing the paleness of his neck. A long deep scar ran the circumference of his lower neck, poorly stitched and cleaned. Ivan sighed heavily. "I apologize for my actions." He glanced over with a frown. "I did not wish to scare you."
A bit too late for that.
"I have never been trusting in anyone before, and I just didn't want to go through 'it'again." Ivan gently set a hand down on my knee. "I didn't want to have to kill you, killing is such a horrible feeling."
I let out a long calming breath, though I could still feel the reminiscence of fear coursing through my veins. "That is... okay." Again, I lied. Nothing was okay.
He nodded slowly, for the third time covering me in my blanket. Ivan glanced down at himself with another frown. "I could not find another blanket, but I am sure this will do- a-at least for a while."
I watched in silence as he slipped his scarf off and nicely placed it over my exposed shoulders. Now I could see the scar around his neck was not perfectly straight at all. It was jagged and uneven, most likely due to the brutal nature of its owner's beheading. On either side of his neck I could see there were two little metal bits resembling screws or bolts screwed in just below the sutures.
Ivan gave a little half smile, one that seemed to beg for forgiveness. "Is that a little better?"
I nodded numbly, though deep down I still felt cold. This cold however, could not be warmed by cloth or by flame, this was a deep chilling cold that I felt only in his presence.
He saw my lacking response and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sleep well." Ivan stood up and walked over to the farthest corner away from me that was still within a field of vision. "I will prepare a meal for when you awaken again." He announced, before I rested my head back down.
Unfortunately I could not fall asleep again.
Notes:
There's one translation in this chapter. Unfortunately I used google translate and it's probably really off.
(иностранец: inostranets) = Foreigner
