A Winter Walk

      I woke up in a haste. I opened my eyes and observed my surroundings. Snow covered trees glared down on me and they stretched as far as the eye could see. I had no idea where I was or what had happened to me. All I knew was I felt odd and extremely cold. As I rose to my feet and tried to gain my balance, I stumbled to the nearest tree for support. I felt like a baby learning to walk for the first time. While leaning on the tree I saw an old man walking the same path I suddenly remember walking on myself. I waved to get his attention and tried to speak, but nothing came out. He walked right by me as if I was air. At that moment the realization of my surroundings filled me. The old man was headed toward the same fate as my I. I was traveling back to the village, just past the forest. I was growing weary and suddenly, I came upon a lit cottage with smoke barreling from the chimney and I felt drawn to it. I knocked and a beautiful women answered the door and offered me shelter for the night. She filled me with food and spirits until the late hours of the night. In my drunken state the woman told me she possessed the kiss of death and her kiss maintained her beauty. She told me I would receive her kiss for the kindness she bestowed upon me. She leaned in and with the touch of her lips I felt pain' as if I could feel my pain separating from my body. Then, I woke up in this frozen place to forever watch other men march to their deaths.