II.

Elsa lowered herself onto the steps in front of a building and buried her face in her hands in defeat. A low tremor sounded from her stomach and reminded her that she hadn't had a morsel to eat since yesterday morning.

Upon arriving in Bergis, Elsa had proceeded to explore the district. Although many of the streets consisted of crumbling apartment complexes, there was a variety of structures. On Sixth Street alone, there was a post office, a primary school building, a tailor's store, a shoe repair store, and a library. The library was one of the largest buildings in the district – even rivaling the size of Town Hall – and when Elsa poked her head inside, she saw shelves that towered several stories high and carried several thousands of books. A tall ladder allowed one to climb to the highest shelves. Tables and comfortable chairs were arranged in clusters throughout the rooms. A number of books lay open everywhere, and if Elsa hadn't known better, she'd have thought that someone had been here reading recently.

The hunger had hit her when she discovered what must have been a grocery store. Through the glass window, she could see that bread, fruit, vegetables, canned goods, perishable goods, and sweet treats lined the shelves, beckoning seductively. It was then that she'd remembered that she had brought no supplies with her, and she hurried to throw open the doors.

They were locked.

Now, Elsa lied on the steps of Town Hall and closed her eyes. She had no supplies, and she was hungry. In the midst of fleeing Aunah, she'd forgotten to think about what exactly she would do once she reached Bergis. Hunger would kill her before the cold would. Elsa couldn't decide which she preferred.

It didn't matter. She would die either way. Hopeless and alone, she closed her eyes and tried to get comfortable on the slick and icy stairs. Perhaps sleeping would ease the pain

Mother, I'm going to see you now…

She sat up again and lightly slapped her cheek. How pathetic, sleeping and waiting for death on the steps of Town Hall. She was free now, and she didn't have the time like this.

The library. If Elsa remembered correctly, there was a large fireplace in the library. If she went there, she could start a fire and warm herself. It was better than lying out in the cold.

She made her way back to Sixth Street. Whereas the blizzard had attacked her at full force on the outskirts of the district, inside the wind didn't blow so severely as an affect of the towering buildings. The snow fell lightly, and conditions were quite bearable.

When the library was in sight, Elsa's eyes followed older trail of footsteps in the snow that led to the front doors. She was about to continue walking in that direction, but the sound of a small impact made her turn her involuntarily turn her head.

Off the side of the building, approximately five yards from the end of the steps, stood a tall metal statue. Elsa hadn't noticed it being there before, but now she was intrigued. Slowly, she shuffled toward it. Upon closer inspection, she saw that it was a snow-dusted ten-meter image of a middle-aged man wearing a jeweled grown and a regal cape. His face wore a valiant expression, and his right hand held a long scepter. On the front of the stone pedestal on which the statue stood was a shiny bronze plaque that read:

IN HONOR OF THE FOUNDER OF BERGIS

KING ALLISTOR H. MELILLEUR

Something white exploded on the plaque and sprayed white particles in all directions. Elsa cried out in surprise and took a step back only to trip over her untied shoelaces. In shock, she stared at the plaque. What had been polished and clean moments before was now partially covered with snow.

A snowball? Had it been hit by a thrown snowball? That was impossible; everyone had evacuated the district eighteen years ago. Anyone who remained would have died.

A cold hard object hit the back of Elsa's head, and she doubled forward. Disoriented, she brushed her fingers over her hair and touched something soft and frigid. Snow. A snowball had definitely hit her.

"Who's there?" she demanded, scrambling to her feet and scanning the premises. As was to be expected, not a soul was in sight, but Elsa felt that she was being watched. "Show yourself! Who's there?"

"I'll tell you," boomed a male voice. The words resounded through the square and bounced off the buildings so to seem like they were coming from every direction, "But first, you have to tell me who you are."

"I – I refuse," she stammered. Her voice sounded weak and unconfident. "I asked you first."

"Don't be like that. You're trespassing on my property. Now, who are you?"

Elsa clenched her teeth and willed her shaking legs to straighten. There was no longer any doubt about it; there was someone here, but she couldn't tell whether or not he was dangerous. Fear spread throughout her body and made white bumps appear on her skin. With a shudder, she spoke loudly with as much courage as she could muster, "I come from the district Aunah. My name is Elsa."

"Elsa?"

Elsa heard a soft thump behind her, and she whirled around. A man stood in front of the library doors. His feet were bare, and in his right hand, he carried a long wooden staff that curled into the shape of the moon at the upper end. He wore brown trousers that extended halfway down his calves and were wrapped with dark strings. He also donned a deep blue sweater laced with ice and with a hood that was pulled over his head so his face was in the shadows. Elsa could not identify the stranger, and her heart raced in her chest. Breaths came through her lips in quick, rapid puffs, and her teeth chattered noisily. Terror, intimidation, shock, awe, curiosity – she experienced such emotions all at once.

The faceless stranger took a step toward her. Elsa wanted to turn and run, but her feet were stuck where they stood. He continued to draw closer, staff swinging by his side.

"Elsa. I've not read that name yet. It's pretty."

Heat rose in Elsa's cheeks. The man's deep voice warmed her heart to its core but sent shivers through her bones.

He was not ten feet from her when she found the strength to speak again. She raised her hands and said sternly, "I've told you who I am. Now, who are you?"

The man stopped where he was, and his swaying arms dropped to his sides. Through the shadow that covered his face, Elsa thought she saw him grin.

With his left hand, he gripped the side of his hood and slowly pulled it down, revealing his face. Elsa was surprised that, despite his deep voice, the stranger was a teenage boy who looked to be no older than she. He had a solid square jaw and skin was almost as pale as snow, as if he'd never seen the light of day. Short, unruly silver hair pointed in all directions and partially covered his pair of bright blue eyes. His eyes were sharp and penetrating, simultaneously alive and empty.

Simply, he was beautiful, but Elsa felt that he was more than that. There was an air about it that she couldn't identify. Something about him didn't seem entirely human. He seemed to be something more than that.

The boy stepped closer to Elsa, but she no longer felt the same fear that she'd felt before. He came until his face was but a foot from hers. Elsa could see her reflection in his pupils as he stared her down.

"My name is Jack," he said, his voice warmer than before. "What brings you to Bergis?"