Courtesy Tate Museum

The cold wind bit into Amanda’s skin, and she shivered. She sat under a large tree, hidden by its shadow. Her teeth chattered in fear. She rubbed her arms, trying to warm herself up.

“Amanda!” A voice called from several yards away, loud and clear. Amanda held her breath. The voice went higher at the end of the word, making it sound almost cheerful. The voice was deep, but you could tell it was a woman.

“Amanda!” The voice was closer now. Amanda wanted to get up and run, but her feet felt frozen to the ground. She could not move. Fear paralyzed her.

“Amanda!” The woman was definitely getting closer. Amanda’s breaths were shaky and loud. Her mouth was too dry to swallow. Her bones scratched her skin.

“Amaaaandaaa!” The woman giggled loudly. Tears leaked out of Amanda’s eyes, first slowly, but then quickly. She could not stop them. She was afraid. She did not want to die. She did not want to die so soon.

“Amanda!” The voice was quieter, and more sorrowful now. Amanda closed her eyes and whispered a final goodbye to her dog, Buster. I’m so sorry, Buster, she mouthed, I love you so much. Please, please, I love you.

“Oh, Amanda?” The woman was so close now, she didn’t need to shout any longer. Amanda could not see anything, it was so dark. She felt numb. She felt like her body was being lifted up. Was she dead? Was she alive? She saw her grandmother. “I missed you,” she said.

“Oh, dear, Amanda,” the voice said, but now it was her grandmother’s voice. “Dear, dear Amanda. Why don’t you come home?”

Amanda shut her eyes.

She let the cold take over.