By Alice Baburek

The darkened sky seeped into the wintry mix of drifting snow and ice. Dripping icicles hung heavily from the grove of blistered pine trees.

Ester Warren blinked several times to remove the fallen snowflakes that gently settled on her closed eyes. A damp chill sank into her spine. The frosty air permeated her burning lungs. 

Where was she? And how did she get to this forsaken place? Alone in the silence of emptiness and long forgotten. Far away from the world she once knew. A world filled with the promise of love and happiness. A world filled with family and friends. 

Ester’s eyes grew heavy. She fought to keep them open. Various visions swirled inside her mind. Why could she not move? Was she injured? Where was the pain? All she felt was the deep, deep cold. It numbed her still body. 

The howling wind intensified. Ester tried to focus. It was as if her memories were jumbled like a jigsaw puzzle. Slivers of images slid together to form a picture. Random clues pushed aside the unknown. And then suddenly they came flooding back. 

An evening drive. A flat tire. Waiting in the frigid weather for help. A stranger seemed nice enough. Or so she had thought at the time. He offered her a ride. It was freezing, and the snow kept falling. Help was just down the road. Could he be trusted? Did she have a choice? With no cell phone service, her options were limited. 

And so, Ester decided to accept the man’s offer. He seemed friendly until he asked questions, she was not comfortable answering. Inside the car, the conversation had waned to silence. The road turned slick, and the snow continued to blanket the fields. 

Ester’s stomach twisted as they passed the open convenience store. She bit her lower lip. The stranger was focused on driving the weathered road. But when they left behind the gas station in the rear-view mirror, she knew it was not by mistake. The act was intentional. He turned and gave her a wink. Shivers ran down her spine. 

The vehicle accelerated. His laugh was deafening. Ester quickly pulled on the handle, only to find that the door was manually locked. And the unlock button could only be released from the driver’s side door. Her heart pounded. An overwhelming feeling of dread spread throughout her trembling body. Tears blurred her eyes.

What did this man want? She just needed a ride. She knew he would give her a ride, but not to where she needed to go. There was no way to escape.

Please don’t hurt me!  Her plea went unheard. The attack was swift. She remembered the pain that seared through her face and then nothing but darkness. 

And now she was alone amidst the forest of evergreen trees. Her shallow, warm breath melted the never-ending snowflakes. She still could not move. No one would hear her cries for help. 

A single tear slowly made its way down Ester’s swollen face. She knew she would never leave this place. A silent prayer for forgiveness escaped her iced lips. 

Suddenly, the snow began to slow, and the wintry clouds began to dissipate. Shards of twinkling stars peeked through the frozen branches. A gentle whisper soothes her grieving spirit. 

It was then Ester let go of her fears—and all that she once knew—and all that she would never know, surrendering to the peace and tranquility calling from heaven above. 

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Alice Baburek is an avid reader, determined writer and animal lover. She lives with her wife and four canine companions. Retired, she challenges herself to become an unforgettable emerging voice.