There tells of a boy named Shiver who’s slept for thousands of years, untouched by man. I remember that story from Papaw before he lost his mind. He would be scared to let any of us out after sundown, by fear the boy would awake and kill us. After all, this was the century he would be out. I also heard stories by the legend that the boy brought cold winters every century, as slightly mentioned earlier, in revenge for all the wrong people did to him. No one really knows, but everyone thinks of him as a monster.
I don’t. There must be a nice side to the boy. Winter came early this year and I didn’t understand why. No one did. We all gathered by the window as a storm ended. Papaw stayed in his room, crying for God to end the boy’s terror. When his cries ended, the storm lets up. It was as if Shiver wanted him to shut up before he stopped. A few weeks passed, but school resumed even with the storms. At school, kids talked about Shiver.
Everyone knew him in some way, and he was what kids called, “the root of all evil.”
“I don’t think he’s like that.” I told them, “He’s just...misunderstood… No one knows who he is. Besides, it’s just some legend.”
“Yeah sure. Kids who’ve seen him have never returned,” they replied.
“Let me guess… A lucky student who managed to bypass him told you.” I was skeptical. “Come tell me when you’ve seen him yourself.”
Soon. Soon I would see that Shiver exists… It was like the Winter hated us. Eventually, there was mass destruction and the storms wouldn’t let up for hours. As stupid as I was, I went outside to get the mail, the wind felt like small ice-daggers against my face… They were merciless. Even as I was wearing thick clothes, I could still feel the freezing cold. I reached the mailbox and as I turned my head towards the road, I saw a tall boy walking in the snow. “Hey!” I called over the deafening wind, “It’s not safe out here! Go home!”
The boy heard me and looked over. His voice was carried along with the wind, but it wasn’t in shouts, “I could say the same, Copper.” The final word that came out of his mouth shook me to the bones. He laughed and vanished without a trace, and as he left, the wind died down. Thank God, but… One question burned in my skull, how did he know my nickname?
I didn’t know the boy, and I didn’t know what to do. I stood there, and finally, I took the mail, trudging inside. “H-he’s back… He’s seeking revenge! He’s gonna kill us all!” Papaw was rocking, saying things about the end of the world, and Death.
“Dad…” Mom said, hugging him. “Calm down.”
“Please, Papaw you’re scaring us.” My older brother-by a year-rubbed his back. He had graduated, and I was a Senior. I kicked off my boots and walked over to Mom. Before I could even get in two steps, Papaw yelled, “Get her away from me! She reeks of the monster!”
“Papaw, it’s me! Penny!” I was scared. He would always do this. Every year for the last 17 years. Not to help, I was born on the day that began Winter, or more known as the Winter Solstice. I heard that Papaw would stay away from me, during Winter months, ever since I was four. He feared that I was strongest then. “I don’t care who you are! You’re the demon’s pawn! Stay away from me!”
“Dad! She’s not a demon-worker! She’s your granddaughter!” Mom was angry with him, but I set the mail down, shuffling to my room.
“I-I’m going to bed…” Yes, I wanted to get away from it all. I wanted to push reset until I had a better family. I threw my jacket on the floor after taking it off. I sat on my bed and looked out my window. I made a small noise in confusion when I saw an envelope taped to the inside of my window. I didn’t lock my window...Might be nice to start doing that… As I untapped the envelope, I took a confused glance out of my window then back at the envelope.
It had “Copper” written in large cursive letters on the front. I opened it slowly, pulling out a letter, ‘If you think I’m nice, you’re wrong. You should be trembling in fear. In terror! I know… I’ll give you your own experience!’ It was rushed, almost like they were in a hurry…
The window slammed open, allowing snow to whisk in. The room fell from warm to cold, and I felt the difference immediately. I went over to the door to leave, but the lock snapped from the outside and I couldn’t open it. The wind blew in, knocking things down. At this point, I felt scared. So, I fought against the cold and ran over, shutting my window and it stayed closed. I dismissed every thought of locking my window for every strange reason possible… “That was a smart move. You locked me in with you.” I turned around twice, seeing nothing but a destroyed room. The voice sounded windy and crazed…
“W-what… what do you want?” I began to tremble, scared out of my wits. Suddenly, the boy I saw outside appeared in front of me. He had white hair and frosty blue eyes. He was in a white long-sleeved shirt and denim jeans. He had no shoes or socks.
“Penny Findal. Your grandpa was right. You are a pawn. Not a demon pawn, however. You are Winter’s pawn. Or mine. It’s rare to see a Winter baby here. You, however… were born at a precise time. The beginning of winter.”
“The Winter Solstice.” He grinned. “People don’t live to see me normally.”
The fear was soon wiped out of me, and I stood there like I had seen something really stupid. “Wow, I really let myself go. Like...completely. I’ve gone crazy.” I picked up a random book that was on the floor, slamming it to my skull. “Wake. up. Wake. up.”
“Woah, woah, hey! Quit!” The crazed tone left him, but his voice was still windy. He grabbed the book, looking at me with...some kind of emotion I didn’t quite recognize, “Look, Penny. It’s ultra rare to see a Winter Solstice baby. So… you chill. When you die… if I mean, then I will make sure you get reborn into either Ray’s, Hallow’s or Blossom’s season.”
“What do you mean if?” I was more confused about the other names that he said. “I’m not immortal.” Either damn way, I was interested in what he said, so I let him take the book… He did nothing with it but throw it onto the bed.
“Yeah, but I won’t let you die.” He got really close… “We need to keep our most valued alive for as long as possible.”
“Oi, creepo. Back up.” I shoved him back, and he stumbled.
“It’s Shiver to you. I’m that monster your grandpa warned you about.”
I froze. Oh for God’s sake… “Ah, crap.”
“Who are you talking to?” Mom asked as she opened the door.
“Um…” Mom looked right at Shiver, but...her gaze was looking right through him.
“Look at this room!” She walked to the shelf behind him and went right through him.
What the hell?! Shiver stood there quietly with a grin plastered on his face. “The window opened and knocked everything down…” I picked up the book from my bed, putting it back on the shelf. “I’ll work on it.”
“Good… I’m sorry about Dad.” She sighed. “He sees things we don’t.”
I see’em now. Shiver laughed, tilting his head back. Shut up, she’ll hear you! “Yeah, he’s old… Probably suffering something.”
“Nah,” He answered, “She can’t hear me, or see me. She doesn’t even know I’m in here right now.” He walked behind me, putting his arms around my neck, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Okay, well… I want this room cleaned. Before I get home from work tomorrow.”
“‘Kay. Will do.” She left my room, and I sighed. The door shut, and I thought it was locked… Finally, I’m thinking something logical.
“I unlocked it for her.” Shiver said, his voice chilling me to the core.
He traced figure eights around my collarbones, creating trails of frost that melted quickly. “Why can’t you go to someone else?” I felt uneasy, so I whispered.
“You’re my strongest pawn. I don’t want to go to anyone else.” Shiver chuckled, and exhaled softly on my neck, “Besides… you’re also a rare prize. ALl the seasons would love to put their mind-changing hands on you.”
“Last straw,” I growled. “Quit talking about me like I’m some sort of “winner-takes-all” trophy!” I shoved him away and buried myself in my bed. I wanted to cry…
But I couldn’t.
Comments (0)
See all