Up above the stars twinkled like fireflies in the naked void sky. It was the most extraordinary and picturesque view anyone would ever want to experience the pleasure of seeing. Shivering, the small 14 year old boy steering the pitched black carriage sucked in a short, irritated, frost bitten breath through his chattering teeth and blue straw like lips. The excruciatingly painful air was the only thing that ruined the view with its smog and made the warm root of his mouth pinch at the sudden attack as his dehydrated, once relaxed tongue curled in on itself every time he dared to gasp for oxygen.

It was early December, the introduction to winter had not ceased to arrive on time to London. Competition on those who could look more like the hunchback of Notre dam had finally begun and Peter honestly believed he was a worthy winner. The frost that sprinkled itself over his black waistcoat had long ago soaked deep into the fabric, making the cloth damp and heavy on his weak, jerking shoulders. The snow had also remembered to trim the corners of his carriage hat with its touch and Peter could have sworn he saw icicles forming infront of his very eyes.

"How far a we from our destination my dear boy!" A voice hollered from behind him and Peter cracked his cramped neck as he tilted his head around to come eye to eye with one of his passengers who was crazy enough to be out in this sort of weather. Mr Kinick. The older man had his head poked out of the carriages murky glass windows and his body showed off the only thing flashier than the stars that night as his white sparkling suit with matching shoes, cane and hat almost blinded the poor boy. The man's teeth were just like his suit. Pearl and crystal like.

"N-not to l-long sir, I'd reckon 'bout five-five mi-minutes." The boy whispered loudly, letting the wind carry his voice to the man. The boy didn't dare smile or flash his yellowing teeth to the superior adult who was now nodding as he looked back into the cabin.

"See ladies we've got plenty of time!" The old man cackled and practically dived back into his seat. The carriage wobbled wildly for a moment and the erupting of giggled and high pitched yelps within made both Peter and the horses snort loudly. The steam rose quickly before dissipating in a flash. The stallions, Lilly and Robert were trotting elegantly upon the stone paved road with such grace that Peter often found himself questioning whether or not the young horses were even earth born and not gifts from the gods. Ultimately, the undying love he held for each of them played at his heart strings every time they sneezed or tilted their head at him whenever he absent-mindedly would rant out to them. It was immaculate and a sight Peter always aimed to heed at just the right time.

Eventually, the carriage was on the verge of its voyage and Peter couldn't be happier. He could hear his destination before he saw it. He could smell the tender sweet turkey, chicken, stew and red wine from his perch atop his cold metal seat. It seemed even Robert gained a new skip in his step, almost dragging Lilly and the carriage along all by himself. Honestly, it made even Peter feel like a floating immortal with no care in the world. Except, he did have cares in the world and the loud echoing grumble of his empty stomach saw fit to prove it.

Once the boy had led the horses up the wide cobblestone, he couldn't stand the sight of the collosal mansion that was planted almost heavenly atop the hill. Envy, pure with hatred and bubbling sadness Peter carefully continued to clamber down from his seat and opened the carriage door for Mr Kinick to step out with his banquet of ladies all who were dressed in huge puffy and pearly dresses with their sleeves ending to their elbows. Their hair was either combed to perfection and flowing like a waterfall down their backs or were held up with white or golden silk ribbons. Their dresses fluttered above the concrete below, as if fairy's were pushing them up as they caught on to nothing and gathered no grit or dirt.

Suddenly, one of the woman turned to Peter, actually noticing his hunched shoulder blades, quivering lip and trembling hands. The girls vibrant green eyes narrowed as a soft frown inhabited her small, round, freckled face.

"Hun you should really get home, this weather will most likely leave a young boy such as yourself all frost bitten by midnight." The red head muttered as she played with a tiny strand of her dress. She looked uncomfortable- being all peppered up like she was and Peter couldn't blame her. He'd be uncomfortable to.

"I-i-be look-look forw'rd to me fire place ma-madam." Peter stuttered, his teeth hitting together violently and his eyes were watering wildly. This weather was going to be the death of him. He couldn't even feel his tiny fingers through the numbness that had violated them.
Oh how he wanted to shut the woman up and just get aboard his carriage again and race home to his hopefully warm bed, maybe his two older brothers (which he had to share with) were already asleep and had the bed all warmed up.
Barking a laugh Mr Kinick slipped an arm around the young girls tiny delicate waist and pulled her towards his young and healthy body.

"I'm sure your are my boy, your are dismissed," The man said, his nose flung high in the air and a smile so sickening have uninvitedly graced itself upon his face. Peter could have gagged. The man's once bright blue eyes appeared almost black as he leant into his purse and pulled out five gold pieces and tossed them to the young boy who managed to catch two but had to pluck the others quickly from the ground before one of the guard's (he'd noticed they were atleast two lining each side of the steps leading to the mansion) stole them.

"Thank you." Peter managed to stammer out in a whisper before he quickly hiked back up his steep steps to his registered seat and gripped onto the freezing blue leather reins. Lilly seemed content to have her partial owner back aboard and pounded a hoof against the floor as if clapping whereas Robert was leaning against Lilly, as if trying to get closer to the mansion for well deserved carrots, apples and sugar cubes.

Just then Peter tossed the reins up and down sharply causing the pair of stallions to start off with their journey again. It must have been a few seconds before Mr Kinick hollered out to him.

"You best hurry home little boy! There are alot of strange people out at this time a night!"

Oh how correct he was.

(Well I have been wanting to post a new book. Believe me I have! You have no idea how many books I started to write but stopped until I got to this one.
I'm no promising I will continue this, I am trying to improve my writing skills and such)