• Snow fell thick and fast from the dark gray clouds overhead. A single figure stood out on a steep slope looking down upon the distant town. Lights glittered in and around the houses. Standing on the slope it looked like a dazzling game board.
    The figure looked up at the glowing moon, just barely visible through the clouds. They hunched their shoulders against the cold and sighed deeply, a mist forming at their lips.
    ‘Helena?’
    The figure turned and gazed into the trees lining the sloping road they stood on. They hummed something quietly; the sound was carried on the wind through the trees.
    There was a rustling and then, a person flung themselves from the brush.
    ‘It is! It is!’
    The first person squeaked as the second wrapped their arms `round them in a brief hug. Straightening up, they stared into the face of the lonely figure.
    ‘What has happened? Helena?’
    ‘It has been done.’ A small voice came from Helena, who gave a heaving sob and fell to her knees.
    ‘I-I, what has been done Helena?’ The second person knelt down and whispered, but her words were carried away on the howling wind and Helena continued to sob violently.
    Helena dragged herself to feet and the second person held their arm out to support her as she made to collapse again.
    ‘Helena, please.’ They grunted under her weight. They began to move forwards, Helena dragging her feet, tears freezing on her face as they fell, when a sudden, ear-splitting scream sounded across the night.
    The sound caused the second person to loosen their grip and Helena, who allowed herself to fall again. Crouched in the snow, she screamed, louder and much more high-pitched then the other person had, but hers did not sound nearly as tortured.
    The second person turned `round quickly and Helena closed her eyes, she had moved closer to the safety of the trees, where the second person could only make out her faint outline.
    ‘Helena,’ they whispered, moving a little in her direction. ‘You do know who I am? Don’t you? Its me, Rose.’
    Helena gave a small nod to show she heard but her gaze remained locked on the sparkling snow.
    Rose turned back to the road, contemplating her surroundings. She glanced up and down the road, and then withdrew a candle stub from her pocket, muttering under her breath she held her hand over the candle. When she withdrew it a flame danced there.
    Helena’s gaze was immediately lifted from the snow to this knew source of light and she kept her eyes locked on it, rarely blinking.
    ‘Helena,’ Rose looked back and saw the flames dancing in Helena`s dark eyes, ‘Helena, your scaring me. Where is everyone?’
    Helena did not lift her gaze.
    ‘Where is Leo and Nate and…’
    Helena had looked up; it was the clouds that were reflected in her eyes now, stormy and emotional. She moved her gaze slowly back up the steep slope, Rose following with her eyes.
    ‘Are they up there? Helena!’ Her patience broke and her face was pale and scared. ‘Where are they? You have to tell me! Please…’ She turned her back on Helena and glanced up the road.
    Suddenly a bolt of white light, not unlike lightning, filled the sky for a split second.
    Helena gasped and cried out at the sight. She stood and began to walk quickly in the opposite direction of the town. Her steps were hasty and in earnest. Her breath came rapidly and her eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
    ‘Helena? Where are you going?’ Rose called desperately, running to catch up. Helena did not respond, but kept on determinedly.
    Rose was silent as she followed the undeterred Helena, though a questioning and frightened look mingled on her pale face.
    It seemed they walked for hours on end with no change of scenery or voices. The two girls remained silent, until, a slow, deep voice broke the stillness.
    ‘Never!’ It bellowed. ‘The Harmon will not suffice!’
    Helena stopped in her tracks, startled, then, gaining her composure she looked straight ahead and began sing so softly her words were barely audible over the howling wind.
    ‘I’m trying, fading, until the end of time. Demolition of my own invention, to the top and back. Rebound on your words, listen to your intentions. Demolition of my own invention.’
    Rose gasped as a silvery- gray iron gate appeared in front of them. Helena did not appear to have any interest in its sudden appearance, more in finding out what was behind it. She moved forward silently and was forced to stop when she reached the base of the tall gate.
    Raising an arm, Helena grazed the thin bars with her fingertips. It was cold to the touch and felt like nothing more than icy metal.
    Helena shivered as a bat screeched in the distance and turned around.
    “There,” She spoke quietly but swiftly. “Is no one here.” She finished with finality. Turning on her heel she tracked back toward the road in a hurry.
    “Helena” Rose breathed, following her back to the roadside.