A.D Ripman   Prologue     "Grandma, please tell me the story about the Frost demon again", Six-year-old Gray begged, crawling up next to her feet sticking out from under the patchwork blanket as she sat knitting in the old wooden rocking chair. "Again?" she laughed warmly. "Oh, OK, but you better come and sit on my lap then." Grandma Perla put her knitting down on the small table next to her and gestured for Gray to climb up on her lap. Gray's face broke into a big grin full of missing teeth. He loved visiting his grandma's small cottage at the edge of the territory and would find any reason to sneak out of his own home to come here. Listening to Perla's olden day stories and long-forgotten legends about gods and demons was his most favourite pastime.  Perla used her feet to rock them gently in the chair and smiled at her grandson's wide eyes, eagerl

They walked in silence around the giant bonfire, and she enjoyed the warmth from the roaring flames. Everywhere were people either waving or coming up to chat with Ryan. No one so far had attempted to talk to her, and she felt slightly embarrassed that she was so unpopular at school. Ryan leaned in closer, and the familiar butterflies took to the sky inside her stomach. "Hey, is it OK if we go somewhere a bit quieter?" “Yeah, sure”, she exclaimed in a high-pitched tone. “Why am I so awkward she scolded herself inside her head. Ryan put his hand on her lower back and steered her towards the water’s edge before grabbing her hand and leading her alongside the lake’s lapping water. A breeze winnowed between them, making her shiver. “Here, I’ll keep you warm” Ryan smiled and put his strong arms around her shoulders. “I can see a log just up ahead where we can sit”, he continued and pointed into the darkness. Nueva tried to widen her eyes to see the log he was talking about, but she

One month had passed since her date with Ryan, and every night she had the same reoccurring dream. The dream was dark and mainly consisted of running through rugged unknown terrain from giant grey wolves under the moon’s watchful stare. Last night her dream changed, and she saw a giant white wolf run amongst the grey flock. The white wolf separated from the pack and followed her, and together they ran through an old-growth forest. Her feet sunk deep into the soggy undergrowth as she darted between the black centuries-old trees with their decrepit and knotty limbs reaching for her in the darkness. Their bark was rough with raised ridges and lumps of wet moss; draped their protruding web of roots. The essence of the earth flowed around her from every sentient being in the forest. They stopped in front of a wall of dense iridescent coloured fog. The grainy wall seemed to pulsate to the beat of Nueva's racing heart. A low terrifying growl seeped out from behind the misty layers. The

Nueva left Evie’s house feeling a bit better; talking to your friends indeed is the best therapy.She drove straight home and locked herself in her mum's study with a new book she had been eager to read.The study was bright with white painted timber walls and a large bay window. Underneath the window next to a dark brown desk was a weathered old grandpa chair with a big soft Moroccan style pillow. Nueva loved curling up here with a book whenever she needed some time to herself. She had just gotten comfy when her mobile phone started vibrating on top of the desk. An unknown number flashed on the phone’s display.She didn’t usually answer unknown numbers but slid her finger across the display and put the phone to her ear when the mobile phone rang for the third time.“Hello”She could hear someone breathing on the other end.“Hello, who is this?” again no answer; Nueva decided to hang up

Nueva couldn’t stop thinking of Gray. It was just something about him that captivated her. Of course, his incredibly good looks didn’t help, and every time she thought about his deep laugh or winsome smile, her core clenched, sending pleasurable waves throughout her body.This attraction was different from what she had felt for Ryan. She wanted all of Gray, and the thought of that made her blush.But she couldn’t help it the more she thought about him, the more she wanted him. His face seemed printed onto her cornea as a permanent fixture. One night she woke up from one of her nightmares, and Gray’s piercing silver-coloured eyes flashed in front of her face, kick-starting the familiar feeling of pleasure rushing through her body. Nueva couldn't help her hands starting to wander across her body under the duvet as the arousal grew.She moved her fingers slowly over her flat stomach before circling them over the warm skin towards her s