With the perfect formation of a winter scene, I stare in awe out the window. In the middle of the woods, I live in a small cottage that has a single fire burning in the hearth as the only source of heat to keep away the blistering cold. And even though I live alone, I am never truly the only inhabitant of the winter woods. 

Up on the Hill, a colossal structure resides. Every day, I see how it seems to be completely abandoned and dormant. Then, once the night takes over and chases away the sun, the sleeping structure awakens with lights blazing from the once-darkened windows. 

“Who could be living up there?” I wonder. But maybe they think the same when they look out their windows and see my little cottage. Really, the only people who ever pass through these woods are travelers making their way to the village just a few miles north from here. I sometimes go to the village to pick up food or supplies I need to survive throughout the year. The main reason I live in my old cottage is because it has been in my family for generations; parting with it would be like leaving my family’s origins behind. Maybe that is reason the mysterious figure never leaves their home… 

I find myself surrounded by a new day. The sun is shining, but the cold feeling never ceases to exist. Taking a walk seems like the best thing to do on a rare occasion like this. There is no snowstorm or blizzard to keep me inside, so I gladly step from my doorstep to the outside. 

Walking through the winter woods is exciting! The trees look like they’re entirely made up of small ice crystals, and you could hear the rhythm of your footsteps crunching in the snow. Before I know it, I find myself walking on an inclined path. The steepness of the slope surely has me winded, right to the point where I am counting out how many steps it will take to reach the top. I am out of breath, but happy I overcame that mountain of a hill! 

Not even realizing what I had just done, I am frozen; not because of the freezing temperature, but because I have just stumbled upon the colossal structure! My eyes widen to take in the sight of this massive piece of architecture, and I find that its walls seem to be made of ice. With many icicles forming from every side, it looks like a castle. Yes, a castle made of ice. 

Now that I’m here, I decide to investigate the area. Naturally, I know no one is home. All the windows seem to be darker than ever…

To be continued…