Winter

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. At least that was what the valley's history said.

The town wasn't very big, only fifteen houses. There was a baker, a butcher, and a blacksmith. Each spends long days in their craft. The farmer grew fruits, grains, and vegetables on the edge of town. They also raised what little livestock they had.

Then there were the hunters who lived close to the woods. They went out hunting wild game and finding herbs needed for healing. The leader would track through the forest with little difficulty.

It started one cold day snow had started falling turning everything white. Smoke was seen coming from the chimneys when a young boy left the warmth of home and headed out in the cold.

The boy, Alex Smith, set out carrying his bow into the woods hoping to find something to feed his family. Ever since his father had grown sick, he tried to step up and take his father's place, some days he would succeed in catching a rabbit, other days he only found berries and wild plants to eat.

Today Alex found tracks and carefully began to follow. He went deeper into the woods, more focused on the tracks than his surroundings. When the boy stopped to look around, he found he had gotten himself lost as the fresh snow covered his tracks.

"Darn it," Alex muttered as he looked around only to see more woods, covered in the treacherously beautiful snow. Alex started to panic as the woods seemed to fall silent and the light began to fade. Trying to find his way home he struggled, everything looked the same. Just when he thought he could hear a stream, a branch snapped.

Everyone was preparing for the storm to get worse back in the village. The wind was picking up, blowing stronger and the snow was falling heavy. The Smith family had a very different issue that plagued their minds.

Mrs. Smith was taking care of her husband, hoping the fever would finally break. Her daughter Maddy was holding the baby to keep him calm. While Tommy was sitting on the floor playing, stacking his blocks before knocking them down.

Tommy looked up suddenly and turned to his mom. "Where is Alex?" he said with a frown on his face. Mrs. Smith looked at him then towards the window only to see how bad the storm was getting. She moved to the window hoping Alex was in sight only to see snow falling, fear gripped her heart.

Maddy looked out the window with her mother before turning to see her brother's bow was gone. She remembered their mother telling him to not go hunting because of the storm. Maddy turned to their mother and said, "He must have gone hunting instead of going to see the butcher as you asked." Mrs. Smith was upset, not only did he disobey, but was most likely lost now.

"Maddy, stay here and keep an eye on your brothers. I am going to see if I can ask one of the hunters for help finding him." said a nervous Mrs. Smith, as she put on her heavy coat and went out into the snow.

Alex turned around fast with a look of fear, there stood a snarling wolf. Screaming Alex turned and ran, only for the wolf to chase him deeper into the woods. Alex ran as fast as he could, jumping over rocks and fallen trees though he feared that he would not make it.

Soon the trees opened up into a clearing and the wolf jumped, knocking Alex to the ground. As it growled hungrily ready to tear into its prey a mighty roar was heard, scaring the wolf off of Alex and back into the forest. The woods became silent.

Alex, shaking, lifted his head, but all he saw was snow. No animal in sight, just falling snow. Slowly standing up Alex looked all around but couldn't find a single thing amongst all the snow. Then suddenly a loud crash and the ground shook under him.

Alex shook in fear as he looked down and gasped, He could not believe his eyes at what he stumbled upon.