The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. His breath, mingling with the polar cold, turned into warm steam. His mind was a chaos of thoughts, each one urging him to turn back. But he erased them with a single whisper “ One more step, and she’ll be mine!” . But still , his survival instinct had locked his body in place. His legs refused to take the next step. Frustrated, he wiped the sweat from his face with nervous hands and slapped each cheek twice, hoping to shake off his self- sabotage.

He lifted his green eyes, fixing them on the opposite shore. Darkness. He widened his eyes, realizing she had vanished into the thick trees and undergrowth.


<< Where are you?!>> he shouted, spit flying from his lips and clinging to them. << Come back! Do you hear me?!>> his desperate voice echoed.


He rubbed his sweaty palms on his thick leather jacket, frantically searching around him. CRACK. Another tiny fracture formed beneath his feet, but he paid it no mind.


<< I’m here…>> her sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.


She stood before him. Her dark eyes were watching him with playful intensity. Gracefully, she extended her hand toward him. Without hesitation, he tried to grab it but failed.


<< Come here! >> he demanded, shouting.


Her perfectly shaped red lips flattened into a line, erasing her smile.


The howling wind gave way to a nearly silent feminine melody that filled the vast, frozen lake- a melody that turned Andrew’s eyes pitch black, devouring all human white in them. The wind intensified, carrying her enchanting scent into his nostrils, reaching deep into his mind. << You’ re mine.. come here…>> he whispered obsessively.


<< You are the one who must come, Andrew.. And I Will be yours…for ever…>> the dark-haired beauty murmured softly.


As if receiving a strict command, Andrew lunged toward her, arms wide open to pull her into his embrace. Her mesmerizing figure loomed larger as he approached, and he closed his arms suddenly! A proud smile spreading across his face as he embraced…nothing.

The last he heard was a deep scream before he plunged through the thin ice, sinking into the lake’s icy abyss. The water froze his blood in seconds, sending him into immediate unconsciousness.