“ Prologue”

“ Come on Cornelia! Let's go to the river!” A little boy with bright and youthful features yells behind him to the girl who was struggling to run in her long tarnished dress. 

“ I-I’m Coming N-Nicklaus.” The girl stuttered out. She was a shy thing but Nick always brought out the best in her, the girl she had to hide when at her home.

“ Hold on now dear.” A soft voice came from behind, the little four-year-old turned to see her mother smiling down at her. 

“ Take a fur, I don’t want you or young Nicklaus to catch a cold. Heaven knows how long you too will be.” Her mother laughs, shaking her head. The two to go off together wasn’t a rare occurrence, sometimes they’d be gone all night others just till supper. Either way, the mother knew the boy would protect her little girl for he always does.

“ Yes, momma.” The girl giggled and ran off. The two played by the river for hours till they got tired and played down on the fur her mother had given them till they fell asleep under the stars. 

If only I knew then what I do now, Things would be different. I could have changed it all. My story wouldn’t be one of loss and chaos but maybe of love and happiness. Maybe I would still be living in our small town with Nicklaus and children of our own, But alas I knew none of what I know now, and I will still have to face my darkest storm.