The frost reached the neck, quietly crackling, crawled down, covering the back, chest, stomach ... It reached the legs, immobilizing. And then she gently stuck around her face and head - like an icy web.

- Mrs. Cantwell, Mrs. Cantwell! the voice of one of the nurses carried to Jess. Your son has come to his senses!

Dezhss's eyes glazed over.

She became an ice sculpture.

A living sculpture with a still beating and warm heart.

This must be the end, Jess thought distantly.

And fell into a dark hole that opened up under my feet.

…eternity hid in the hole and restless souls howled.

***

Jess came to her...