At the same time of the girl’s mysterious inner battle, people from outside were just starting to rush inside for cover from the harsh weather. The once gleaming snow spread across the ground and resting on cars had been ruthlessly shoved away. Now all that was left was a muddied reincarnation, abandoned to be trampled on until the occasional rays of sunlight eventually reduced it to murky water collecting in the drenched grass. Unlike in the morning, when people had relished in the rare appearance of deep snow, their carelessness had ruined it until everybody would rather be at home, imagining the comfort of settling in front of a roaring fire. A dream soon tarnished when most returned to a cold, dark house with no fireplace and the pleasure of waiting for the heating to take effect, at an extravagant cost. The villager’s moods could only be further dampened by the intense rain that had suddenly taken over everyone’s thoughts and consequent conversations, and then all the local modes of transport taking them home.

Although the people who just happened to pass by the girl’s official residence seemed to walk just a little faster, their hearts pumping in their chests. Sometimes she could be seen staring impassively out the window, a dark figure sending shivers down their spine when her chilling gaze unintentionally met theirs, or even at the mere feeling of piercing eyes glancing over them, dishevelled hair in the corner of their line of sight. The unusual rigidity of their legs and stiffness of their heads was only more encouraging for the passing people to quicken their pace even more, a desperate look stuck on their faces. Truthfully, only a small group of people in the village, those who had been there long enough to feel a sense of pride of their closeness with everyone, had actually been able to hold a conversation with this person. Even though she didn’t seem exactly delighted at the prospect, she stayed and listened to their polite small talk, then went on her way, quietly declining any offers to purposefully meet again. Most people felt uneasy about her strange habits and dismissive demeanour. She didn’t seem interested in any community activities or get-togethers, which was a first for everyone in the close, coast village- despite the distances with which most people lived apart. So they collectively decided to act as if she didn’t exist in their little world- no words of agreement needed. They just knew anyone acting so out of place surely didn’t deserve their attention. It wasn’t fear so much as their duty to the community... (at least that’s what they told themselves). Unsurprisingly, the girl preferred this predicament and was somewhat-happy (as much so as she could get) to stay out of everyone’s way, only to be seen nonchalantly lurking at a window every now and again.