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Aaron had always been afraid of walking through the grove. But it was the shortest way back home from the open market in the middle of the village. Most of her trips to the village were with her two closest friends, Jasmine and Maria who lived on the same dirt road as she did. This it was different; both of them came down with a terrible fever that was made worse with the winter snows. So Aaron's father sent her and her brother to the village to buy food and some medicine for the friends. But her brother Jeb had disappeared on her and there she stood looking into the dark cold forest, alone.

The path was very wet with the melting ice from the trees which fell from the branches creating illusions from a distance farther mess with her mind. Back in the village Aaron overheard two older men speaking of strange folk wondering the forest at late. With those words echoing in her mind she stood at the head of the path gazing at the dark mounds under the large pines. Wondering which one was 'a strange folk' waiting for her to enter to snatch the living breathe from her. Seeing the setting sun and the dropping temperature Aaron took a deep breath a began to walk forward trying to be brave.

Holding the food tight to her chest and walking as fast as her legs could carry her through the snow covered path. Aaron past many of the mounds she thought could hurt her finding they were only snow. Half way home she came to the darkest part of the forest starring into the now dark path. No sun, no moon, and not even the stars showed their beautiful light hidden by thick blizzard like clouds. Her speed slowed as she examined the dark wondering at it, is it safe, I've come this far unhurt' she thought. Suddenly a shadow moved.

Aaron's heart beat stopped wishing it was only her mind. Then it moved again, but this time it spoke. "Where dose such a fine lass as you going, at this time of night?"

The frog in her throat moved not stopping her from uttering a word to his shadow. Then a second voice came from her right "Maybe she is lost, and cold. Maybe we can help her get warm."

Then an ice cold hand touched her neck along with a sniff from a nose at her brown hair that was held in a bun. With that she shrieked dropping the food on to the wet ground and ran. For a moment a hole in the clouds opened and the moon peaked down letting her for a time to see where she was. On the distant hill was the warmth of her bed. There Aaron wished to be protected by her father and brothers. As if the

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