“Gerda.” Kai shivered as he laid on the icy floor of his captors frozen palace. “How did you find me?” He coughed as he spoke.
“Hush now.” Gerda replied tenderly as she removed her scarf to place it around Kai’s neck. “She could be back at any…” Gerda was cut short, for she was picked up and thrown away from Kai by a bitterly cold wind. She landed hard on her back which forced the air out of her. Before she could regain her wits the Snow Queen began freezing her from the inside out. “Please,” Gerda chocked, “I don’t want to die.” She cried.
“Oh Gerda.” The Snow Queen laughed hauntingly as she gracefully walked towards Gerda as though her own frozen floor might break beneath her. She was clothed in white lace from head to toe. Her skin was pale white, firey red hair hung loosely down her back and it framed her face only enhancing her breath taking beauty. “Dear, sweet, perfect, Gerda.” She paused on every word as she circled her. “It’s been a long time dear Gerda.”
“You know her?” Kai asked from across the room.
“No, I.” Gerda said breathlessly.
“Still lying Gerdy.” The Snow Queen pouted mockingly. “Even after all these years.”
“Gerda, what is she talking about?” Kai said impatiently.
“Tell him or I’ll make your death excruciatingly painful!” The Snow Queen pushed her powers harder causing Gerda to scream.
“Okay,” Gerda cried. “Please just stop.” The Snow Queen lessened her powers allowing Gerda to sit up. She looked from the Snow Queen and then to Kai.
“We were only children at the time,” Gerda began. “We were the best of friends the three of us. There wasn’t a day that went by when we weren’t together.” Gerda paused thinking of how to continue. “One day I came out to play and saw you give Astrid a rose and her kiss you on the cheek in return.” Gerda looked at Kai, he stared at her without feeling. “I became very jealous because I liked you to, so when the old Snow Queen came to our village one fateful December night looking for a beautiful child to take over after her, I told her about Astrid. She was going to take me, so I told her how much more beautiful Astrid was then I.” Gerda looked down in shame. “She asked why I’d let my friend to take my place. After I answered her she smiled a horribly wicked smile and let me down from her carriage. The next day Astrid was gone, and I was the only one in the village who remembered her.”
“Gerda, how?” Kai asked.
“I’m sorry.” Gerda’s tears froze on her face.
“Sorry comes to late.” Astrid says.
Submitted by: Hannah Ritter