Hazel put the last t-shirt into the suitcase.

" Well I'm done.", she said .

"Me too.", Amber said, pointing at the carton on the floor, " Everything is set now."

Hazel nodded grimly. Amber came up to her and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"I know it's hard."

"But it has to be done.", said Hazel , pulling away.

There was a knock on the door.

"Amber put the carton out of sight.", Hazel cautioned, shoving the suitcase under the bed.

"Come in!", she said.

Gran Luella stepped in. 

Hazel sighed of relief. "Gran, it's you !"

" Indeed.", gran replied ," So, all set ?"

"Yes, I think so.", Hazel said.

" So, they'll think that you are dead ?",asked Luella.

" I'm afraid so.", said Hazel , "But if it might help, they will think that I died years ago , perhaps when I was ten. I've left some of my childhood possessions on display and removed anything that belongs to the time after."

Gran nodded.

" Amber, after we put up this illusion, will gran too forget ?",Hazel enquired.

"No. Since we have already told her everything about our plan, it is impossible for her to get deceived by it. It's like having told her the answer, before she is even faced with the question , if you know what I mean.", Amber explained.

" Well , I couldn't be happier. It would just make things worse."

Gran smiled kindly, touching Hazel's cheek. "You know I'll always be there, by your side."

Hazel hugged her. " Be brave my child. You have to find the courage to do this. You cannot give up.", gran said, softly stroking her hair.

Hazel nodded.

" So should I do it ?", asked Amber.

" No.", said Hazel , " There is one thing left to do."

********

Hazel walked down the stairs, into the living room.

She saw her mom and dad sitting on the couch, chatting merrily with each other.

The timing was perfect. Hazel sighed. A nervous shiver ran down her spine.

She walked up to her parents.

"Mom, dad.", she said.

"Hazel!", mom smiled.

"I need to discuss something very important with you. Regarding my life."

"What is it, Haze?", dad asked.

" Just promise to hear me out completely, before saying anything. And try to believe me, even though it will not be easy to. Just have faith that I am saying the truth."

She saw perplexity on their expectant faces , yet there was also patience. They silently urged her to proceed. 

" Everything started a month ago. Gran Luella told me about this world that existed parallel to ours, a world of magic, a world of fairy tales. I did not understand what she meant at first but then, it all made sense , when I visited the place. It's called the Fantasy Realm. Red Riding Hood , Hansel and Gretel , Snow White ...you name it ! I saw all the fairy tales I had been reading since childhood , come to life in front of me. Remember Amber, Mom ? She is from the other world, she's a faerie.

"It is a wonderful place , Dad. I have never felt so much at home anywhere else. There are people who actually like me, I have friends! I have found the purpose of my life , I finally know my importance, thanks to them. I am different , mom , dad , it is true. I have always been so. But they taught me how to celebrate my uniqueness. "

Hazel paused.

" But the realm is in danger now, almost on the verge of destruction. It's time I played my part. I have to save them , for no one else can. I have to. I hope you understand, because it is something I need to do."

Her father looked taken aback but her mom was absolutely bewildered.

"Haze, wh...what are you saying ?",mom asked , panic-struck, "Whatever did you mean by that ? What is going on , Haze ? Are you , are you..."

" Yes , I am fine.", said Hazel, laughing , "I never thought that you would fall for this."

" What do you mean ? Were you ...joking?", asked dad.

" Obviously dad !I was playing a prank on you. I still don't know how both of you bought it. It's the silliest prank ever."

Dad's face relaxed. " It's just the way you said it. You really should take part in that school drama of yours."

"Sure , if the drama teachers want no audience at all."

Hazel glanced at her mom, who still looked sceptical. " Are you sure you're alright ?"

"A hundred percent sure.", Hazel said, putting on a reassuring smile , "Mom , dad, just know that even though I don't say it very often , I love you , the most in the world."

They smiled at her. "We love you more.", said mom.

" I've got to go. Bye mom." she said, kissing her mother on the cheek, "Bye dad. See you soon."  She walked out into the yard.

" Did it work ?", Amber asked.

"Nah. Not that I had expected it to."

"So we go with Plan A ?"

" Plan A, it is.", said Hazel. 

So it began. Amber waved her hand. A whitish mist began to rise, from the snowy ground.

The mist gradually enveloped the both of them , like an extended aura.

And then , it all vanished.

"What happened ?",asked Hazel.

"I don't know. It's a difficult task. I've never created this strong an illusion.", Amber said. She tried again , only to fail .

Amber groaned in frustration. " I am sorry, Haze. I thought I'd be able to help..."

"No , don't give up ! Begin again.", Hazel urged. The mist came into form. 

She closed her eyes , and held Amber's hand , channeling energy into it. As their powers united, she sensed an enormous strength course through her.

She felt the mist rise , aiming for the zenith, spreading it's arms wider and wider , encompassing everything in the vicinity and beyond. 

" It's done ! Look Hazel.", Amber exclaimed.

Hazel opened her eyes. A golden mist hung in the sky, shining softly in the sunlight.

" The illusion has spread to the whole town. Our work is done. But we must leave immediately , before anyone sees us."

Hazel nodded. She cast one last glance at her home; a haze cloaking it against the harsh winter. 

*************

AUTHOR'S NOTE : 

So , it begins. I had started to miss writing horribly and couldn't be happier to be back to all u amazing people. Missed u ! 

To all people , who stumbled upon SNOW and liked it, SNOW is the third book of a trilogy. The first book is MIST. Without reading Mist and the second book, FROST , u wont have a clue about what is going on in SNOW. So if u liked this chapter, u r more than welcome to read Mist ! 

I found a few drawings on the internet that I thought resembled a few of my characters. So, here they are : 

                           Hazel Smith 

                            Cedron (as he appeared in the first chapter of Frost) 

           Snowflake 

I had already put these pictures up with some chapters in Frost and Mist , quite recently but I knew most of u have not seen these. 

So how did u like them ?! 

Bouquets of honeysuckles 

Bookworm