Winterstorm

By: Fadura

Hoarfrost had taken over the trees, completely covering the canopy of the ancient aged branches with beautiful pure white ice that glinted, frozen in the midnight sun, the sky above were radiant hues of orange ranging to purple, the lake below it shone golden under the slightly grey winter light. Dark gray clouds marred the scene creeping into the corners of the brilliantly painted atmosphere signaling that a storm was brewing not too far away. The forest was quiet, the spring birds had migrated to warmer land and the rest of the wildlife were too busy trying to scrape out a living from the frozen earth and each other to make unruly noises like they had done before the cold weather.

The faded, pale, sapphire moon had arisen halfway across the sky, an icy breeze twisted and turned quietly through the silent white canopy of the forest, shattering delicate, frozen leaves and twigs in its silent wake. Amidst the veil of peaceful silence, thick feet crushed through the still snow, a shadow darted through the dark gaps between the trees, heavy leaden breath rose up into the air, wispy and white as the water was suddenly frozen and brought back to the ground.

The tangy smell of almost rotting flesh flowed through the creature’s nose and mouth, and up into its brain, powerful muscles rippled under the thick fur and flesh following down to large, clawed feet. The shadow creature moved on, the wind swirled above it and soon the crunching of the snow faded into the silence once more.

The dark clouds had near completely covered the streaks of golden and pink, the sky was dark gray-purple that swirled and swelled angrily, flashes of silver lit the skies and the wind began picking up speed. The breeze was now whipping and whirling, tumbling across the canopy of the frozen ancient trees, wailing and howling mournfully breaking the silence.