#011ves

                out of all of the seasons,  winter was the one michael had loved the most.    the snow as it fell from the sky &. blanketed the ground,  the peace &. silence as his part of the world seemed to hibernate,  it was all comfortable in its own way.    it was something he found comforting,  even though he couldn’t watch the snow fall anymore.    hours that he used to spend sitting at the window,  just watching the flakes turn into drifts on the ground,  now turned into about an hour sitting out there as they fell from the sky.    feeling as they drifted onto his head or face.    his mother had given him blankets so he could stay warm &. the fire pit they had was set up and blazing.    the contrast between the heat in front of him &. the cold to his back was as welcoming as the silence around him after she had gone back in.    michael didn’t know how long he had been out there when he heard snow crunching beneath feet not too far from him.    from the declining in temperature,  he knew it was dark out,  &. from the footsteps in the snow,  he knew whatever it was was hesitant to step closer.    so he kept his eyes closed &. his breathing steady,  listening,  waiting to see what might happen.

she startles at the realization,      a shock waving through her body before dissipating,      fleeting      &       fickle.       a shake of the head.      her quiet has returned,      as it is wont to do.      ‘   no.   ’      there is no denying it,      but there is a fearsome wondering      :      what does it mean,      the presence of this girl who looks at vanya rather than through her?      it is simpler to pretend      :      you did not see me,      as i did not see you,      and still do not.      as if they are two ghosts passing in the hall      &      sparing not a glance for their fellow poltergeist.