Writing Prompt: The footprints in the snow suddenly stopped.
Amelia Lockhart giggled as she followed the light footprints through the snow. Sunlight gleamed through the bare trees, making the white world around her sparkle like the stars on a cloudless night. She stopped and looked all around. Her dark ringlets floated around her cherubic face.
"Jack," she called. "Jack, where are you?"
Laughter up ahead spurred her into motion. With another giggle, she took off towards her friend's laughter.
The footprints in the snow suddenly stopped. Again, Amelia stopped running and looked around. She squinted in the bright sunlight and propped her tiny fists on her hips.
"Jack! Come out right now, Mister, or I'm never playing with you again!"
Nearby, Jack Frost chuckled under his breath. Mia always said that to try to get him to come out of hiding because she always liked to win. Sometimes he let her. Most of the time, he never wanted their game to end. He watched now as Mia turned first left and then right, squinting hard. She looked directly at him, but the sunlight was so bright her little eyes couldn't see him. Jack lifted one hand and wiggled his fingers. Snow swirled all around her. Mia screamed.
"Jack, that isn't funny!"
Jack dropped his hand and the snow fell back to the ground. Mia sat on her bottom with her knees pulled up to her chest. Her small shoulders shook like she was crying. Jack studied her from his spot in the trees. She'd pulled this trick on him before; he had to be sure she was really upset this time. Her shoulders continued to shake. A faint sniffle reached his ears. Last time, she'd made a big production with her crocodile tears. His features softened and he stepped out from his hiding spot to go to her. Her head lifted as he knelt down next to her. His pale hand hovered over her shoulder and then dropped when she gave him her biggest smile.
"Got you again!" She squealed with laughter as Jack's slim fingers zeroed in on her sides to tickle her. Mia laughed out loud as she squirmed away from him, kicking up snow as she tried to escape. Jack wouldn't let her. The snow helped by gently holding her in place while he tickled.
"Stop. Stop, I can't breathe," she begged ten minutes later. Jack pulled his hands away. Mia continued to squirm and laugh. Jack sat back on his haunches and watched her, contentedly smiling. This little girl lit up his dark world. He hoped he'd never lose her.
"Amelia! Amelia, are you out here?"
Mia stopped laughing and sat up at the sound of her mother's voice. Her brown eyes widened as she looked up at Jack.
"I have to go home. Can we play tomorrow?"
"Of course we can. We can play any day that is Winter."
She nodded and scrambled to her feet as her mother called for her again. "See you tomorrow, Jack."
"Good night, Mia."
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