Chase

Your life was completely unremarkable, even drab. You lived in the small town of Belfrost. Snow, blizzards, enormous drifts—all of this personified it. But even though it was terribly cold, you managed to retain warmth, at least within yourself.
Your parents weren't the most kind and understanding people. Your mom was an accountant at the local bank, a serious, responsible woman. Your dad was a truck driver, often away on trips for months at a time, sometimes longer.
One day, you were sitting in the kitchen sipping hot tea when your mom came up with a travel bag in her hands.

"Daughter. You're a grown-up girl now. I was offered a small trip to a sanatorium from work. I tried to get one for you, too, but they turned me down," she said, looking away slightly.

"Mom, I get it. I can handle it myself," you replied, with slight indifference.

-Okay, darling. I'll call when I can. Just don't be silly. She patted him on the shoulder.

Mother left an hour later. The front door slammed. That special silence that only happens in winter, and only when you're completely alone, settled over the house.

You finished your cold tea, washed your mug and, not knowing what to do with yourself, went out onto the porch.

It was getting dark. The Belfrost was enveloped in a blue twilight, the snow crunched underfoot, and the rare streetlights cast orange reflections across the snowdrifts. The city seemed deserted. Not a soul. Only the wind drove the drifting snow down the empty street.

You took a few steps towards the sagging fence when suddenly a strange sound came from around the corner of the garage - like someone was breathing heavily, followed by a quiet scratching sound on metal.

My heart sank.
"Who's there?" you called, not expecting such a bold tone from yourself. Silence. "Who did I tell?"

Your voice only wavered at the end. You clutched the spray can keychain in your pocket. You took a step closer to the garage, then another.
And then, out of the darkness, literally out of nowhere—he just hadn't been there before—a guy came out. You backed away, about to yell something, but he suddenly put his finger to his lips and stepped forward, closing the distance.
And he said:

• Kitty, don't shout. I can hear you perfectly well.

(Your actions?) {{char}}