The day had finally arrived.

The day that Ever was supposed to begin his "treatment."

Winter was well underway and already his world had been covered in a blanket of white. It was only when the ground was completely covered in snow that Ever truly felt at peace. With snow, all sounds were quieted somehow. The snow silenced the earth, the thoughts that would constantly plague Ever's mind, and for that he was always grateful.

This time however, not even the snow could drown out the hundreds of voices screaming in the boy's head.

He'd fastened his winter cloak around his shoulders and he'd laced his boots. Now he stood on the steps of his front porch. His breath was like smoke in the cold air. There wasn't a single person in sight. Winter had claimed the village, and he would not release it until Spring arrived to take over.

Ever was glad that the snow kept people inside, he didn't want anyone staring at him as he was led by his parents back to the Elders. That was all anyone did to him anymore; stare.
Of course they talked about him as well, there was plenty of talking going on in the village. They thought he didn't notice, but he did.

His parents finally joined him outside. Both were wrapped in their cloaks and shivering. Ever paid them no mind. It wasn't that cold. Not a word was exchanged as the three carefully made their way down the ice-covered steps and into the snow. It crunched softly underneath Ever's boots, he loved the sound.

That was what he focused on as they walked; the sound of crunching snow. He ignored the constant complaints from Lesim and Eline. His peace was short-lived once they arrived at the Elders.
He stopped.
The first time Ever had come here, a feeling of unease had crept into his stomach. Now that he was here again, the uneasiness returned. Only instead of creeping, it pounced on him like a wolf.

He didn't know what awaited him inside, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he did not want to go in there.
"Ever come on, it's cold out here!" His father begged, ushering Eline forward so she could knock on the door.
No. I don't want to do this...
Ever glanced briefly to his left. Should he make a run for it? What would happen if he did?

What would happen if he didn't?

The choice was taken from him when Lesim grabbed his arm and pulled him forward. Ever wanted to dig his heels into the ground. He wanted to fight, scream, rip his arm out of his father's hand and run as far from this place as he could.

But he couldn't.
He just couldn't.

Lesim led him up the stairs to stand between him and Eline, who was knocking repeatedly on the door.
"No one should be forced to live in this kind of weather." She shivered and grasped her cloak tighter.
"I know Eline," Lesim sighed, "it's unbearable."
Ever didn't bother himself with getting annoyed. Even though the words coming from his parents were absolutely ridiculous.

His parents were always telling him that he needed to be more grateful for what he had and to not be such a downer about everything, yet here they were complaining about a bit of cold despite having more than enough food and heat to last them through the Winter.

Just as Lesim raised his fist to knock on the door again it opened.
"Ah, sorry to keep you waiting," Elias smiled and opened the door for them to enter. Eline scurried in without a second thought. Ever remained rooted to his spot.
"Come on Ever, we don't want to keep the Elders waiting." Lesim grabbed him by the arm again and pulled him inside. Ever glanced behind him as Elias shut the door.

For a brief moment darkness was all Ever could see. Seconds later he was brought into a well-lit room that was certainly smaller than the one they'd been in last time. This room only had a small wooden table with two chairs situated on either side of it. Besides the many candles, there was nothing else to be seen.

"If you would please take a seat Ever, one of us will be here in a moment to begin your treatment." Elias grinned hawkishly before closing the door in Ever's face. There wasn't a word from his parents. No voice of concern or questions as to what they were going to do to their son. They simply handed Ever over to these three men in hopes that he would be "cured" of his so-called illness.

Ever swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and slowly walked towards one of the chairs. Since there were only two chairs he assumed that only one of the Elders would be in here with him.
Which one would it be?
Ever sat down and let his hands rest on his lap. Keeping his eyes locked on the closed door.
He didn't want it to be Elias. There was something about the bird-like man that made Ever's skin crawl. He didn't know why and he certainly didn't want to find out.

Then there was Adrik. The second Elder was gruff and had a dark look about him. Ever didn't want him to come either, but what if he did? Even worse, what if both of them came in?

He waited, and waited.

The knob on the door turned, and it swung open.
Ever's eyes widened in both surprise and relief. Neither Elias or Adrick stood in the doorway, it was Symund. The third Elder hadn't said much during their first meeting, in fact Ever had almost forgotten he existed. Symund didn't meet his gaze as he closed the door behind him. Ever flinched when the man finally turned to look at him. His eyes truly were a bit too large for his head.

Despite that though, the rest of him appeared to be normal, save his light brown hair that stuck out in different places on his head. Symund didn't speak as he sat down in the chair across from Ever. It was only after he'd rested his arms on the table that he addressed him.

"Do you know why you are here Ever?" His voice was quiet. Not that Ever couldn't hear him, it was just a soft voice. He chose not to respond at first. Deciding to see if Symund would continue the conversation for him, but he did not.
I guess I have no choice but to answer him if I want to get this over with. But, do I want to do it at all?
No.
He did not.

Symund was still staring at him, waiting.
At last, Ever finally gave in.
"I'm here because my parents, and everyone else apparently, thinks that there's something wrong with me and that I need to be fixed." He studied Symund's expression but found nothing. The Elder was keeping a completely blank expression. How anyone could tell what was going on inside his head was beyond Ever.

"You are right about one thing Ever, the people of this village do believe that there is something wrong with you." His words caught him off guard, but before he could reply Symund was talking again. "What you are mistaken about, is that there is something wrong with you."
It took what little restraint Ever had to keep him from leaping out of his seat.
"I can tell that you are confused," Symund continued, "if you let me explain I should be able to clear some things up for you."

Ever blinked once. This wasn't what he had been expecting at all. Symund was waiting for him to answer.
Finally, Ever nodded.
Symund sighed and leaned back in his chair. His eyes remained fixed on Ever as he spoke.
"You see Ever, we live in a village that follows tradition. We do things in the same fashion as those before us did, and they too lived the same way. This is how it's always been ever since the days of the Founders. While most of the people are comfortable with this, there are a few who are not."

Symund lowered his head. "And I, am one of them."
"What?" Ever straightened in his chair, his entire body rigid.
"Not so loud, I don't want the others hearing. But yes, there are certain practices that our people follow that I do not approve of." Symund paused to quickly look over his shoulder. Ever followed his gaze towards the door.

Silence.

Symund turned back to Ever and spoke again, this time keeping his voice low.
"I understand why you killed those dogs Ever, and while it was certainly unacceptable, keep in mind that I know why you did it. You were trying to protect something you cared for."
Ever nodded his head, slowly.
"You don't seem convinced." Symund leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you not trust me Ever?"
"How can I? For all I know the others told you to say this." Ever crossed his arms and glared at the older man.

"I see that you have issues regarding trust, why is that Ever? Why can't you believe me?"
"Because from what I've seen everyone in this village only does what the people around them do, or tell them to do."
They went back to staring at each other. Symund's finger tapped against the table. His eyes were searching, calculating...

"What exactly is this "treatment" you're supposed to be giving me?" Ever asked hoping to break the silence. This caught Symund's attention as he straightened once again, blinking his large eyes several times as if he'd just come out of a daze.
"I don't think you want to know Ever..." Symund trailed off, his eyes going once again to the door behind him. Ever, meanwhile, was gripping the sides of his chair in an effort to calm himself.
"Ever, what I am about to tell you must not leave this room. Do you understand?" Symund's voice suddenly became dark, serious.

His eyes burned into Ever's making his throat go dry. He desperately wished he had some water, or that he was as far away from this place as possible.
He briefly considered the option of running past Symund and making a break for the door. No one would be expecting it, he would be out of their reach long before they could figure out what was going on.

However, his curiosity was starting to take over. What was Symund going to tell him? Why was he being so cryptic about it? The Elder was still waiting for an answer.
Finally, Ever conceded.
"I won't say a word."
Symund nodded.
"Good, now listen closely Ever. We don't have much time left so answer this question quickly, do you know who Sable May was?"

What?!
Ever's expression must have been all Symund needed because he continued without waiting for him to respond.
"Sable was a real person who lived in this village several years ago. Like you, she didn't fit in with the other members of the village. She was an outsider, an outcast. No one knows the exact day it happened, but one day Sable went into the forest. When she came back, she was never the same."

Symund closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.
"We tried, Ever, we tried so hard to save her. But whatever was in that forest... whatever that thing was that got her... there was nothing we could do."
"Thing? What thing?" Ever asked, but Symund didn't seem to notice.
"She kept trying to go back. That was all she cared about, getting back to the forest, getting back to whatever monster poisoned her mind."

Ever flinched at how cold Symund's voice had become. His eyes had opened again but he did not look at Ever.
His tone became dry, bitter.
"We don't know how she did it, but one night Sable escaped the village, she went back to the forest. We sent several men after her, but they couldn't find her. It was as if she just disappeared. And when they did find her... all they found was her dead body."

Ever's chest tightened. He already knew the story of Sable May, but after hearing it again, this time from someone who had actually witnessed these events...

It was frightening.

"This is why we want to help you Ever," Symund lifted his head, "we don't want what happened to Sable to happen to anyone else. We don't know why it happened to her, but we have found a way to prevent it from happening again."
Ever was speechless as a hundred questions battled in his mind, each one vying for his attention. In the end, it was his previous question that emerged victorious.
"What was the thing that Sable found in the forest?"
Symund seemed surprised, but somewhat annoyed, that he'd asked him that particular question.

"After all I've told you, after all you've heard, you want to know that? I already told you Ever, we don't know what caused Sable's madness. Only that it was in the forest."
"But-" Ever was cut off as Symund suddenly stood up and slammed both of his hands on the table, causing the boy to jump.
"Listen to me Ever, we live in a community that lives and thinks a certain way. When someone acts differently, it frightens people. They don't know how to respond, how to react. So what do they do? They come together to find a way to get rid of whatever is causing them unrest. It happened with Sable, and now they want to do the same thing to you."

Ever's heart pounded. His breath was coming in out in rapid gasps, it was too quick.
"They won't stop Ever, they won't stop until things are back to the way they are supposed to be." Symund leaned forward. In a much quieter voice he said, "If you want to avoid this Ever, you have to conform to their rules."

Ever was stunned.
He couldn't think, he couldn't speak.
Symund returned to his seat, studying him once again.
Ever kept his eyes fixed on the table. Refusing to meet the older man's gaze.
"Think about what I said Ever," Symund stood to his feat, "and for your sake I hope you'll take my advice."
Symund turned his back on Ever and strode towards the door, opening it in one smooth motion. He left the room leaving the door open. A voice told Ever that he could leave now but he paid it no heed.

He was vaguely aware of someone taking him by the arm and leading him out of the room. He heard voices that he knew belonged to his parents, but could not discern what was being said. That same someone led him out of the house. He could hear more voices behind him, the Elders. Walking down the steps Ever cast a quick look over his shoulder. The three Elders were standing in the doorway, watching him.

Ever shuddered and quickly looked away.
"I think that went rather well, wouldn't you agree Ever?"
He nodded, still unsure of who was talking to him.
"If all goes well, you won't have to do this for much longer. Don't you look forward to that son? Soon you'll be able to fit in with the rest of us."

Fit in.

Conform.

Follow.

That was what Symund had told him.
Ever had to do these things if he wanted to avoid trouble, if he didn't want to end up like Sable May.
Why would Symund tell him that? Why had the Elder spent all of that time telling him all of those things?
Was it a part of the treatment? Was it all a trick?

There were too many questions...
So many voices...

And at the forefront of them all was this: Was Symund threatening him, or warning him?

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I FINALLY UPDATED THIS THING

Short chapter, I apologize for that, but trust me it was necessary!

So what did you guys think? Any thoughts? Theories?

I'm hoping the next chapter won't take as long, in fact feel free to constantly ask me for an update because it helps motivate me to write more.

Alright, I'm out.