At the hospital; after the old woman jumped out of the window.
Elena's POV
My eyes fluttered shut and for a moment, there was only darkness.
Then suddenly, my eyes flew open and cold air hit my face immediately. I gasped softly and sat upright.
Endless white snow stretched in every direction once again. The wind drifted across the frozen land while flakes danced through the air.
A few steps ahead of me stood Hazel who was staring at me strangely.
I blinked several times before realizing my hand was still wrapped around my throat.
I remembered the old woman with the grey eyes and how she had choked me. A shiver ran through me.
Slowly, I lowered my hand and pushed myself to my feet.The snow burned beneath my feet as I walked toward Hazel. She remained standing there quietly and her lifeless grey eyes followed my movements.
I swallowed hard before pulling one side of the blanket around myself then I carefully adjusted the rest around Hazel.
The blanket slipped slightly from her shoulders because of the wind, so I wrapped it tighter around her.
"There," I whispered.
Hazel didn't respond.
I looked toward the distant lights again. The amber and green glow still shone far away beyond the snow-covered land.
A strange feeling stirred inside my chest. We were getting closer and I could feel it.
Gently, I took Hazel's hand. "Come on."
Together, we began walking. The snow grew deeper the farther we traveled. Our footprints stretched behind us in a long winding trail.
Each breath left white clouds hanging briefly in the freezing air before vanishing. The cold became harsher and the wind sharper.
I glanced toward Hazel. Snowflakes clung to her pale hair and more had gathered across her forehead and eyelashes.
My heartbeat slowed down and I tightened my grip on her hand.
We had to reach the seventh stop. We had to reach it quickly otherwise, Hazel would freeze.
"We're almost there," I told her softly.
"We'll find somewhere warm."
Hazel let out a faint sound and then she slowly turned her head toward me. I nearly fell in my tracks because for a split second, her eyes flashed bright golden— like a wolf staring through darkness.
I blinked and when I opened my eyes, the glow had vanished and only the lifeless grey remained.
Hazel looked away as though nothing had happened.
My heart raced. Had I imagined it? I couldn't even tell but the memory lingered.
I kept my gaze focused in front and after several minutes of walking, I saw a huge structure ahead of us.
Hope burst inside me.
"There!" I pointed ahead.
Without waiting, I pulled Hazel forward. The structure grew larger with every step. Soon its enormous gates stood before us. I felt a sense of relief. Finally, we could rest in a safe, warm place.
I hurried toward the entrance and grabbed the iron handle. I pulled but the door didn't open. I tried again but the heavy door refused to move.
I pulled harder, but the door still didn't budge.
Panic slowly crept into my chest.
"No... Come on..."
I banged against the door.
"Hello?"
My voice echoed through the cold air.
"Is anybody there?"
There was only silence. I knocked multiple times and just when I was about to give up, metal clicked from the other side.
I quickly stepped back and pulled Hazel beside me.
The huge doors slowly opened and an elderly man stood there. Long white hair rested against his shoulders.
His head remained lowered, hiding most of his face. The lantern beside him cast strange shadows across his figure.
I forced a smile.
"Please... can we stay here?"
The old man said nothing, then after several seconds, he nodded and stepped aside.
I breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you."
Keeping Hazel close, I guided her inside.
The sight beyond the gates stole my breath. A vast courtyard stretched before us. Snow covered everything.
There were even large fountains but their water had become beautiful pillars of ice.
Beyond them rose tall towers and ancient stone buildings.
I even spotted what looked like an armory near one side of the courtyard.
The place looked abandoned, yet somehow alive.
Then suddenly, a harsh grunt echoed behind me. I spun around just to see the old man trembling violently. His entire body shook and his shoulders jerked unnaturally.
"Sir?"
I stepped toward him.
"Are you alright?"
No response.
I adjusted the blanket around Hazel one last time before moving closer.
The old man's trembling became worse.
"Sir?"
He collapsed heavily onto the snow. My heart skipped a beat then I hurried forward. Then he slowly lifted his head and my blood ran cold. His eyes glowed a bright yellow.
I stumbled backward as I saw the old man's body twisted violently. I heard his bones crack. Then his fingers stretched and his arms lengthened while his legs bent at impossible angles.
A sickening series of snaps echoed through the courtyard.
I couldn't move and my breaths came out jagged.
Fur burst through his skin. His neck expanded and his face pushed outward. His jaw lengthened and sharp teeth emerged one after another.
The transformation continued until a massive brown wolf stood where the old man had been.
The beast towered over me. Its glowing eyes locked onto mine.
Without warning, it threw back its head and howled. The sound rolled through the snowy castle like thunder.
I turned instinctively toward Hazel. She quietly stood watching.
The wolf suddenly lunged. I barely had time to react.
Its enormous body slammed into me. Pain exploded through my chest as I crashed onto the frozen ground.
The beast rose onto its hind legs, then its forelegs came crashing down.
THUD.
Agony shot through my body.
Before I could recover—
THUD.
The second strike landed. Something shifted painfully inside me.
A strange sensation traveled upward from my stomach toward my chest.
My vision began to blur. The wolf stepped back then slowly rose onto its hind legs again.
Snow swirled around its massive body.
It lifted its head and released another deafening howl toward the dark sky. The sound seemed to shake the entire castle then its glowing eyes found mine once more.
My eyelids grew heavy and I fought to keep them open but the darkness kept pulling me deeper.
Then I succumbed to it.