Crackling Ice, Blowing Winds

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room.

Awakened to sound she was unaware of—never stepping outside the haunted dark cabin where she was raised. Natalie lived in fear of the unknown.

She was never allowed to have friends, education or life like other children. She was captured at birth and has never been given a chance to know her momma or pappa.

Feeling like a manikin, only knowing the walls of a place she would walk daily. Spirits would be heard; cold shivers would run up her spine. Comfort came to Natalie as they were like company to her.

Other than Mildred and Eugene, she was the only other person living there,

She was told never to go into Eugene's study at a young age. Yet when she would walk by such a beautiful window, the only one in the whole place bestowed her eyes. Mildred tapped her on the head and told her never to go near it. It's dangerous".

"Danger," how could it be when it was so beautiful?

Pull back a drape; a world of so many things awaits. Trickles of snow on the window, pain captured inside and feeling insane.

She wanted to know what was outside the walls, every day, Natalie felt like she was struggling. Yet temptation had her listening to the sounds she could hear. Were there other people out there?"

Although Natalie may not have had a life like other children, she was curious to learn and listen. Finding words written in a book, she asked Mildred what it was. Mildred, at first, didn't want her to know.

Magically through sounds, Natalie was able to read. She was putting words together in the book as she was speaking.

Mildred and Eugene had written a daily journal. The first sentence was written on her Birthday.

Hiding the book and not allowing them to know she could understand the words, Natalie was starting to realize she was not supposed to be there.

The window in the study had to be a clue to what she needed to know. Was it the opening to a place much brighter and more beautiful than the darkened cabin? Natalie started to talk to the spirits.

The only words she heard were "reach out."

Well, Natalie had banged on the walls and knocked on the floor. No reply but sounds of something blowing,

Her goal was to read as much as she could, to understand why she was there, Why she could not go near the window. Why were they keeping her all to themselves?

"Action Plan In Place"

The window was her next place to go. Once Mildred and Eugene were fast asleep, she would sneak into the study; feeling safe with the spirit, she would find out what was waiting for her.

Yet the challenge was not easy; Eugene sat in that room for hours. Trying desperately to crawl across the floor so he couldn't see her wasn't easy.

When she finally could look up, she saw a bright round object. It looked so peaceful and hopeful.

Engaged in the beauty, not even realizing Eugene was looking down at her. Natalie saw what natural beauty was like and didn't ever want to leave.

Eugene yelled at her and pushed her out the door. "You are never to return to this room ever again."

Tears ran down her face; frightened by Eugene, Natalie didn't know what to do.

Now there spoke a spirit, do not be afraid. You are wiser than any of those before your time. You have found the entrance to a better place where you belong.

Rest our friend; we will guide you in the days to come.

Every pathway may lead you to a place unknown. If taken, your mind will blossom, and your heart will grow.

When darkness turned to light, Natalie quickly read more of the book. Learning who she was (Amanda Snow); her parents were Carol and Ron Snow—finding out that Willow was where she was born.

Mildred wrote that she felt terrible taking her, but if she hadn't, there would be no children because her goal was to keep her locked away so the three of them could live happily ever after.

Knowing this was wrong, Natalie (Amanda) quickly ran to the window. Taking a large lamp, she smashed the glass. She could make it to the ground by removing the snow and grabbing the ledge.

When her feet touched the snow-covered land, she heard Eugene and Mildred yelling at her. Not looking back, she just kept running,

Holding onto the book with all of the information, a man standing near a road asked her if she needed help; shaking her head yes, he took her to a vast building,

Inside many people were there, all looking at her. She handed the book over to a man in a blue suit with a shiny star; He said, "are you lost,"

"No, I was stolen as a baby by those people over there," "It's all in this book."

Ten Long Years

Reaching out as the spirits told her to do was the best thing she ever did. Mildred and Eugene were put in cars with big gold bracelets on; she never saw them again,

As for her parents (Carol and Ron), mommy and daddy were so happy to see her. To know she was safe.

Ten years of life had been taken from her and her parents, but now that she was safe, there was so much to see and learn,

Although the dark cabin brought her fear, her parents and her brother were able to share with her a whole world filled with love and beauty.

The Other World

To Amanda

From the day I brought you into the world, I have loved you and will always love you wherever you are my beautiful baby girl; we are thinking of you and know you will return, Never giving up, always staying positive,

Loving you forever, mommy and daddy xoxo

At the beginning of Amanda's new book, It was her turn to write...................................