Slowly, he waded through drifts of blinding white snow, every step taken was swallowed by the powdery whiteness. He mused to himself:

“It probably wasn’t a great idea to go hiking alone on the side of a mountain that seemed to devour everyone and everything that dared to discover it’s secrets”.

A golden glow form the distance caught his eye, invited his cold and weary body.

Jack made his way towards the light, the idea of being stood in front of a roaring fire with a steaming hot cup of tea, encouraged him to pick up his pace and forget; if only for a short time. Emerging from the trees he stopped, drinking in the sight that was before him, a dark oak cabin smothered in thick layers of snow, wisps of grey-white smoke rising into the frozen sky and a warm orange glow from the many windows met his gaze.

Unsure, like a hare seeking fresh grass, he timidly made his way over the snow towards the door. Tap, tap, tap, his fingers softly drummed, he waited. Knock, knock, knock his knuckles rapped on the solid oak door, echoing through the bright night air. He waited again. Seconds walked on and he waited. A minute passed and there was no sound, still he stood, shivering now as the cold drew in around him. With a thick black padded glove Jack tried the handle, pushing down slowly, click, the door opened.

“Hello!”

“Is anyone home!”

Throwing his voice load enough to be heard but not enough to disturb the snow hanging above his head, the silence was deafening. Stepping past the threshold “hello, is anyone here!” A muffled voice sounded from above.

“Hi, be with you in a minute”.

Jack wasn’t able to determine if it was a man or a woman had responded but the relief of hearing someone’s voice relaxed him and he closed the door, shutting out the winter.

The stairs shrieked as a woman in her late 20s descended dressed in a fluffy light blue bathrobe, her jet black hair cascaded over her shoulders framing her facial features. Her smouldering brown eyes gazed at Jack, they seemed to look past all the dark winter clothing and straight to his soul. He shuddered a little feeling uncomfortable under her penetrating gaze.

“Sorry, I was getting out of the tub and didn’t hear you knock. Please come in and get warm, I have fresh soup on the stove if you’re hungry”. Her voice had a husky rasp to it, sexy and alluring.

Jack met her gaze, shaking with cold and fear, he replied simply;

“Thank you”.