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Flora stares out at the waning winter moon and notices a rabbit sitting, haunch-legged, on the pristine snow. It waves to her, beckons. She glances at Milo, asleep in his bed. She's tempted but will her brother awake if she opens the window to night's chill kiss?
#SlamWords R1
#SlamWords R1
Perhaps the poor rabbit needs help? Maybe it is seeking warmth, a haven from the breath-stealing cold of night. Mother would have helped it, Flora is sure of that, but Mother is gone now.
"It is up to me," Flora whispers.
"Who are you talking to?" Milo asks.
#SlamWords R2
"It is up to me," Flora whispers.
"Who are you talking to?" Milo asks.
#SlamWords R2
"There's a rabbit. On the lawn. See?"
The window is nearly covered with a kaleidoscope of cracked ice but Milo peers out a clear spot.
"There's nothing there, silly." Milo's eyes are still glazed with sleep.
"You're the one being silly," Flora replies crossly.
#SlamWords R3
The window is nearly covered with a kaleidoscope of cracked ice but Milo peers out a clear spot.
"There's nothing there, silly." Milo's eyes are still glazed with sleep.
"You're the one being silly," Flora replies crossly.
#SlamWords R3
"I'm going out there and see what it wants. You stay here," Flora commands her brother.
"Father will be angry."
Flora shudders. If she were given just one wish, she would wish that chance and circumstance hadn't robbed them of their mother.
She opens the window.
#SlamWords R4
"Father will be angry."
Flora shudders. If she were given just one wish, she would wish that chance and circumstance hadn't robbed them of their mother.
She opens the window.
#SlamWords R4
The rabbit runs off into the shadow of the pines that sway in the whistling wind. The trees whisper secrets to each other and shed freshly fallen snow in merriment.
"Wait for me!" Flora calls.
The rabbit nods its head, stamps its foot impatiently. Flora follows.
#SlamWords R5
"Wait for me!" Flora calls.
The rabbit nods its head, stamps its foot impatiently. Flora follows.
#SlamWords R5
She's come out barefoot without even the warmth of her robe. Flora shivers in her nightgown, her long brown curls like tangled ribbons being tossed around by the teasing breeze. The path is strewn with the twisted tinsel of miserably thorny vines that catch at her.
#SlamWords R6
#SlamWords R6
The rabbit glances back from time to time, a little twinkle in its soft eyes. Flora's feet are numb but she soldiers on, determined not to cry, not to give up.
They come to a clearing. She sees a heap of stars lying on the ground. Approaches cautiously. It moves.
#SlamWords R7
They come to a clearing. She sees a heap of stars lying on the ground. Approaches cautiously. It moves.
#SlamWords R7
Not a heap of stars after all. A black kitten, its sleek fur sparkling in the moonlight reflecting off fallen snow. It is tiny and as cold as Flora is herself. She hugs it close, to give it the gift of a little more time and warmth, wishing she was closer to home.
#SlamWords R8
#SlamWords R8
Flora huddles in the hollow of a fallen tree, clutching the kitten to her. She watches the snow drifting quietly down, too tired to find her way home to the flickering embers of the nursery fire.
Brilliant blue eyes stare at her from the dark. A great grey wolf.
#SlamWords R9
Brilliant blue eyes stare at her from the dark. A great grey wolf.
#SlamWords R9
The wolf curls its body around Flora who luxuriates in the plush warmth.
"You have Mother's eyes."
The wolf touches her softly with its nose. It will keep them safe until morning. Strung across the distance of the veil, love is a closer connection than death.
#SlamWords R10
"You have Mother's eyes."
The wolf touches her softly with its nose. It will keep them safe until morning. Strung across the distance of the veil, love is a closer connection than death.
#SlamWords R10
