I put my hand in the middle of my chest and pat repeatedly. The habit I have developed since I was six, learning recently that it calms down my nervous system.
“I’m safe, it’s okay.”
“I’m safe, it’s okay.”
I repeat with every pat.
A scream of help tore through the sound of my heartbeats.
“Help me please! Mommy!” A little girl calls out.
Following the sound as I stride carefully, an old bridge across the stream appears. Its wood looks chipped, weak with age. Alittle girl stands atop, holding onto the rails for dear life as the bridge sways, the water hitting it aggressively. Her head turns to me, gaze terrified.
“Can you please help me? The bridge is breaking!” She whimpers.
Something in her wide, desperate gaze made me stride towards her with zero hesitation, closing the distance between us as I took a few careful steps up the bridge. I yelped as one of my legs fell through but I kept upright, holding my hand forward as I gestured to her.
“Run towards me quickly!” I panic.
Her gaze falls onto my outstretched hand, eyes bouncing from my hand to the creaking bridge underneath her. The way her eyes sharpen lets me know that she made her choice.
Her hurried steps echo as her hand clutches mine firmly.
The bridge collapses.
Chapter Two
Clayton
A small body falls on my torso as I wrap my arms around her tightly, taking the fall.
When the bridge broke, I pulled her to me with all my strength letting us fall backwards. My back hits the ground, rolling us around till we finally stop. Opening my eyes as I’m met with two glistening ice blue doe eyes, strikes of white sketch around the irises. I stare astonished by their color, reminding me of the first time I got frostbite. Coldness tears your skin but you can’t help yourself and keep reaching the ice to rub it between your fingers.
Cold hands press onto my chest as she holds herself on top of me. That’s when I take my gaze off her eyes and white paint my vision. Her eyelashes are as white as her hair falling down her body like ice gliding down the mountains around Grimridge, Pale strands sticking onto her forehead as she gazes down at me.
She pushes herself off me, breaking our trance as she sits back on her knees, looking at me then back to the now non-existent bridge.
Suddenly she throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, her hair a curtain hiding her.
“Thank you.” Her sob muffled.
My hands are hovering close to her back, hesitating. I never like to touch people, only if necessary. I waited for myself to panic or push her away. But my body relaxes and holds her to me, patting her back in friendliness.
“You’re safe, it’s okay.” I soothe her, wishing it works for her too.
After a few minutes, her breathing slows and she pulls away and wipes away her tears as she calms down. Her lips tilt up intoa smile as she reaches out her hand. “My name is Elsie, what’s yours?”
“Clayton.”
I reach and shake her hand in mine. Her smile widened, her eyes had an excited gleam into it as if she didn’t think I would respond.
“I like your name, can I call you Clay?” She giggles. “I know it’s a silly name.”
I didn’t find her joke funny but a smile breaks on my face.
She’s kind and intriguing in the way I feel her excitement and friendliness. The air around her seemed lighter. The pressure on my chest disappeared.
“What were you doing here?” I ask her.
