• It was dark, despite the light that was cast from the flickering street lamp. It was dark in the fact that shadows surrounded the light, pressing for their turn in the shine. Seeking warmth from it as the snow fell gently around them; shivering and screeching like the wind that whipped up around them. It was middle winter, easily identified by the snow that fell heavy down around the light.

    And now, silence, not even the wind could be heard. The shadows overtook the light finally, and it went out as the darkness consumed it. And now, as the light was no longer there and the streetlamp was just useless metals once more, the shadows surged on, looking for the next source of warmth, of safety. Yet, the one they happened upon next was already occupied by another inhabitant. Inhabitants. As the shadows approached, they saw that the figure was not one, but two small ones huddled beneath a blanket, clutching at each other for warmth even as the cold stole it from under them.

    It was a young boy and girl, brother and sister it seemed, from the way that, beneath their grimy faces, their bone structure was similar. Another strong gust of wind howled through and they whimpered in unison, huddling closer. And the shadows watched with sympathy as they worked to protect the two from the cruel wind around them. But it was only a matter of time. Even now, cold picked at their bones, making their struggles feeble. The snow kept falling, unaware of the damage its cold winds brought. The wind kept howling, unashamed that it was going to steal lives tonight.

    Why should it be shamed? It had already done so, so many other nights. Winter stole away the breath of the land, freezing it in crystalline beauty. Trees lost their leaves, their source of life, to perish, but they were reborn. These two children would not be reborn; they would remain forever frozen in winter’s cruel embrace for the rest of eternity. Even if their bodies left, buried in the dirt or eaten by the vermin that haunted these streets, like the shadows that watched them still. Even if their bodies left, their souls would be claimed by the wind, swept up into the night sky to join so many others who had their lives taken by the wind, no matter where in the world they had been once, they could travel everywhere now.

    And it was growing colder still, the children’s eyes drooping closed, their bodies giving up finally. The boy tilted his head up to the sky, eyes slipping finally shut. He smiled faintly, lips turning blue like the sky that would be showing soon as the storm died down and the sun rose, its warmth melting the snow. The warmth would not reach these two. But, still to them…

    “We’re safe,” he whispered.

    Safe from the cruelties of the world, safe from the disappointed looks and pitying whispers that followed them. They would be going home, to see their parents finally. Going home and going safely. Into the night sky.

    They remained like that, frozen in each other’s arms, one looking up to the sky, the other’s head resting snugly against his chest. A picture of love, of innocence, forevermore. And then the shadows took the light, as the wind whipped their souls up to the sky.