Taste of Winter

I was woken up by an intense feeling of cold.

"Cold."

I whispered to myself. I heard footsteps then shuffling. Strange. I'm pretty sure I'm alone in my room, laying sick because of the flu and if its my caretaker, what the fuck is she doing in my room? Now that you mention it, my bed feels strange, its... hard, and smells... sniff... sniff... sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, awfully unfamiliar, I pulled away in repulsion. I sat up eyes still shut.

"Anais."

Someone whispered right in front of me. I screamed then jumped whoever was the strange person in my room is.

"Anais. Anais! Calm down."

The person, a woman, got both my wrist on a tight grip. However, I'm not backing down that easily. Why is it so god damn dark? I can't see shit! How am I supposed to defend myself. Someone barged in the room, dangling in his hand, was a lamp, an ancient looking lamp endowing my eyes the privilege to see the room and observe the people I was there with. I frowned.

"What is going on?!"

The huge man asked in a booming voice. I frowned even more. Who are these people? What are they wearing? I shivered. Cold. It's insanely cold.

"I think she is cold, Domeroe."

You think? Aren't y'all cold too? nevermind, with those rags, doormats, and potholders as an outfit I wouldn't even doubt.

"It's just the taste of winter."

The man explained as he poked and fixed the fire woods in the fireplace to start up the much needed fire. That doesn't even make sense! From where I live, as far as I am sane, equator doesn't experience winter!

The man continued to ramble but I couldn't focus in his voice anymore as a head splitting head ached started to form on my temples.

"You fell off the sleigh and then down the hill and hit you're head, but you're alright now, I patched it up."

The woman was alot younger that I thought, I thought it would be a grown ass woman since her strength could rival of a what a mans but she looks no older that 18 or 19. She got this soft looking wavy red hair, fair glowing skin which is littered with pretty looking freckles. Her eyes, her eyes were the prettiest, a mixture of green and blue then coated with gold. I couldn't explain it. I am drawn by her eyes. She noticed and smiled brightly then pecked me on the lips soo fast I couldn't even bring myself to react. What the fuck!? She laughed at my reaction. I looked at her like she grown three heads.

"You're still not use to it, I see."

She giggled. I leaned away while still looking at her like the number of her head is increasing.

"Even if you kiss me a thousand times, I'm never getting use to that."

She was about to giggle again when I put my palm in front of her signaling for her to stop. I had enough of this!

"No, stop. That wasn't a compliment."

She frowned.

"Anais."

She started.

"Stop calling me that! Who even are you? and him?"

I pointed at the man still too busy with the now crackling fire.

The man was relatively older. With grey hair and a viking style outfit. I frowned at him with disgust.

"That's your father Anais."

As I heard those words I made a face that says "yikes".

"Domeroe, I think there is something wrong with Anais."

This snapped the man away from the fire. I didn't know those two are on a first name basis.

"What? What do you mean?"

He stood up and approached us. His old eyes looked wise, warm and kind now filled with worry. Still, I don't know who they are so I maintained the tough front.

"She can't seem to recognize us."

I internally rolled my eyes. She sounded like one of those actresses on fantasy movies. The man frowned upon hearing those words.

"Anais, can't you remember her? Or me your father? Domeroe?"

"Nope, I have no fucking clue."

Now it's their turn to frown. I am now convinced that I have somewhat turned back in time or got on a different dimension. Im not gonna brush away any possibilities that could possibly make sense of this situation I am now in.

"Anais, perhaps you're only jesting."

The woman pleaded. I shook my head.

"My name is not Anais, my name is Rose."

The two looked at each other. Silently talking with their eyes. I narrowed my eyes at them. There's something going on between these two. I smirked.

"Can you excuse us both? We need to tackle this situation and look for a possible solution in this matter."

I cringed at their vocabulary, I think their trying way too hard not to used the words that are relatively normal sounding.

I didn't answer, pretty sure they would still leave me even if I tell them to stay. I scooted over so I was leaning against the headboard, I still feel kinda awful, my head is dully aching and I'm still freezing with this winter thing. I waited there staring at the fire that do pops and spits here and there. Moments later the door opened and I saw the redhead crying perched on the mans side comforting her enter the room.

"Well?"

"We need to leave for the town not far from here to go and look for a doctor to check on you."

"When?"

"Tomorrow would be best, waiting and letting the snow pile up is a bad idea."

"Are we going back here afterwards?"

I don't want to be stuck in this awful looking place with these two weirdos. I'd rather stay in the town, a city would be preferable but I can't really complain.

"Yes."

It was now the woman's turn to reply. I already expected that answer.

"What if I insisted to stay?"

"No, where I am is where you will be 'Anais'."

She spoke this bodys name with such emphasis, it sounded venomous. Oh, so she finally decided to show her real color? I scrunched up my face. Excuse me? What is her deal? She thinks she have some sort of say in this. I was about to snap at her when the man, my 'father' interjected.

"Anais, listen to her, listen to your mate."

Huh?

That actually made a lot of sense.