(Anastasia)
I knew someone was there but I was too tired to care about it. Then they spoke
"I know you can't hear me right now but I'm glad you're healing"
It wasn't Sugie or Daphne but someone else. I didn't know who. I opened my eyes just a bit as they started to leave. I only caught a glimpse of a tall shadow. Who were they? I settled back down and made a mental note to ask Sugie tomorrow.
The next day.
"Anastasia?"
I rolled over at the sound of my name and found Daphne standing beside my bed with a tray of food.
"Did I wake you?" she asked as she handed me my breakfast.
"No, I was already awake"
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat down.
"Better than I've been in a while" I replied.
"That's good. Sugie wants to talk to you after breakfast" Daphne informed me.
"Alright"
"You don't have to let her you know"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Well I know she talks an awful lot and you need to rest"
"It's fine Daphne I like talking to her"
"Well if you're okay with it"
"I am"
(Sugie)
Once Anastasia had finished her breakfast I got to talk to her. It's not that I didn't have other people I could talk to but we never have visitors and it was so much fun talking with Anastasia. Although she said she'd preferred to be called Ana or Anya.
"But why your name is so pretty," I said.
"It's also too long and fancy for me" she replied rolling her eyes.
"Do you have any sisters or brothers?"
"I used to"
Then she became really quiet and I wasn't sure if I did something wrong. After all, I didn't want to offend her.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked"
"It's okay Sugie"
"I didn't mean to upset you"
"It's alight"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
I didn't believe her. Something was wrong. However, I didn't want to push it so I changed the subject
"What's your favorite thing to do during the winter Anya?"
"I like to curl up with a good book" Anya replied simply.
"I like to play in the snow"
"Like snowball fights and snow angels?"
"Yes exactly" I cried happily.
"I used to take walks in the snow," Anya said with this far away look in her eyes.
"Used to?"
"I guess it got too cold for me" she laughed but I could tell it was fake.
(Shaggy)
I was currently trying to read a book but as usual, I kept falling asleep midway through. Sighing in frustration I set the book down beside me and looked out the ice-covered windows instead. As I looked outside I found myself thinking of the past and the day when Dracula showed up on my doorstep. Googie and Scrappy surprisingly had run for it when they saw him. Then he cursed me turning me back into the werewolf I am now. Just to make sure I couldn't undo his work he destroyed the book containing the counterspell. So I moved here isolated from the outside world where I'd be safe. I wish I could undo it but I don't know how.
"Shaggy?"
I looked up to see Sugie.
"Yeah?"
"May I take some books to Anastasia?" she asked me.
"Go ahead"
"Are you alright Shaggy?"
Awe typical Sugie. She always knows when something is bothering me.
"Just thinking about the past"
"You should really stop doing that," she told me as she climbed a ladder to reach a shelf.
"I know but it's hard not to" I sighed.
"You've at least got to try"
"I know"
"Promise you'll try?"
"I promise"
(Anastasia)
"I'm back and I brought books" Sugie cried sailing into my room.
"What kinds of books?" I asked eagerly.
"Some of my favorites"
"Like what?"
"A Little Princess, Black Beauty, Charlotte's Web. You haven't read these have you?"
"Yes but I can read them again"
"Good"
Sugie set the books down and dropped into the chair next to my bed. I guess if I was going to ask about the night before now was a good time to do so.
"Sugie?"
"Yeah?"
"Last night I don't know if I was dreaming but there was someone in my room"
Sugie chewed her lip quietly and then she spoke.
"It was my brother he's been worried about you and he's been checking on you since he found you but he's really shy"
"Oh" was all I could manage to say.
(Sugie)
Well, I couldn't tell her the real reason. She'd think I was crazy. I mean who wouldn't?
"Sugie?"
I shook my head realizing that I'd zoned out. I have a habit of doing that when I'm thinking.
"Oh uh sorry Anya what'd you say?"
"I asked you how big the age difference between you and your brother is"
"I'm fourteen and he's seventeen"
"Are you close?"
"Yeah we've rarely ever fought"
"Wow that's impressive"
"Nah not really"
"I think so"
Once again Anastasia had this far away look on her face. I wanted to know what she was thinking. There were so many questions I wanted to ask but I forced myself to bite my lip. Shaggy always tells me that as much as I love to talk I love to ask questions even more. Anya was a complete mystery and I badly wanted to solve it. I knew I couldn't though.
"How about I go see when lunch is?" I suggested standing.
"Okay" Anya replied picking up one of the books and starting to read it.
(Anastasia)
I'd read A Little Princess a thousand times before. I knew every word forwards, backward and even upside down but still, I needed a distraction. Winter brought painful memories. Things I didn't to relive. The wounds still run deep.