Snow

 The air was crisp and clean, as if the snow had washed away all the troubles of the world and left only the purest essence of winter behind. The sky was a deep shade of blue, unmarred by any clouds, and the sun shone brightly overhead, casting long shadows across the newly fallen snow. The trees were blanketed in a thick layer of powder, their branches heavy with the weight of their wintry burden. Even the birds seemed to have taken a break from their usual chirping, as if they too were content to simply bask in the quiet beauty of the day. It was as if the entire world had been frozen in time, suspended in this perfect moment of serenity.

But there was one thing out of place. A small figure, huddled in a worn coat and threadbare mittens, stood at the edge of the forest, staring out at the pristine landscape before her. Her eyes were red-rimmed from the cold and tears, and her breath came out in white puffs, misting the air around her. She was young, no more than a child, and yet there was something in her posture that spoke of a weariness beyond her years. As if she had seen too much of the world already, and all she wanted was a glimpse of peace, even if it was only for a moment.