• “I’ll see you guys tomorrow, alright?” I waved at my two friends, and quickly headed down the back road towards my house. It was cold, and the sooner I got inside, the better. Snow crackled under my boots, and the air was so cold sound seemed to freeze. I began to hum, drowning out the silence. I didn’t notice the shadow behind me. His steps where synched with mine, allowing him to move silently. I didn’t know he was there until a second too late.
    He grabbed my hair.
    I screamed.
    He covered my mouth.
    I bit his hand.
    He let go of my face.
    I tried to run.
    He held tight to my hair.
    I fought.
    He was strong.
    It was over as soon as it began. Fight as I try, he pulled me into the woods and bound me. I cried, trying so hard to scream.
    He raped me.
    He tortured me.
    He slit my throat.
    He killed me.
    I died.
    Let me tell you about dying.
    It’s cold. It’s lonely. It’s painful.
    It’s also very, very, dark.
    So I was surprised when I felt a warm light on my face, and water below me. I took a deep breath, keeping myself afloat on the water. The pain slowly faded away, but the warmth and light grew. “Is…this heaven?” I heard a laugh. I opened my eyes to the light, and found a shining woman with golden hair. Light radiated from her, and warmth rolled off her in waves. “Are…you an angel?” the woman laughed again, but her mouth did not move from its original smirk. “Something like that.” I heard, but did not see. “Why am I here?” I asked, closing my eyes in exhaustion. “I’m giving you a second chance.” The warmth started to fade away, the light dimmed.
    My throat throbbed suddenly, sending a wave of pain through me. “Breathe again.” I heard her whisper, and I gasped for air, inhaling the frozen wind. I sat up, bloody snow all around me. I stood, surveying the scene around me. Red snow and covered tracks. I touched where he had cut me, and felt a tight ribbon. He took off with my backpack, but dropped my make up case. I dug through, found my compact mirror and took a look at myself. I was as pale as the snow, and a thick red ribbon was tied around my neck. My hair was a mess, and I had small cuts all up and down me. As stunning as it all was, nothing surprised me more than the new coloration of my eyes; Gold. Pure gold.
    “That’s right, I’m still here.” She giggled in my head, “I am your new spirit.”