Anika fussed around me, pulling up the blankets as we sat on a couch in the corner of the common room, closest to the fire place. People were milling about, many seated as we were while others were going to their rooms or outdoors for whatever fun awaits them.

I, however, was beginning to feel human again as the warmth of the fire and the heat in the room began to thaw me out. I watched with amusement as Anika picked up my half filled cup of hot chocolate for the umpteenth time to run off to go fill it.

When she returned, and after she set the cup down carefully, I slapped her hands away wanting to fuss about my blankets again. She pouted at the action and I rolled my eyes.

“Anika, I’m fine. Really!” I said. Then I gave a strong sniff before rubbing my nose.

Without missing a beat Anika pulled a Kleenex from the box and handed it to me. Amazingly, I heard her over blowing my nose, “Maybe you were out there too long. We probably should have come in sooner, at least for a break.”

“Listen to me. I said I’m fine. I thought I saw something and ended up running into the snow bank.”

Anika wrinkled her nose, “But a crack though? You said you thought you heard something cracking? That ice is so thick, it would take a heavy rock falling from a foot or so to put a dent in it.”

“Did they check it?”

Anika nodded, “Yeah, nothing is amiss.” She leaned over, her voice lowering. “You said you thought you saw someone?”

I glared at her and she waved her arms furiously. “I’m just asking. Just asking.”

I didn’t say anything else. What else could I say? That I saw some strange blue creature with a white bird with crystal blue eyes? Even I would have scoffed, perhaps not in the person's face, for politeness’ sake, but definitely inside. So I wouldn’t even bother trying to justify it. If everyone determines that my fear of falling through the ice made me think I heard cracking sounds because I was exposed to the elements too long, then fine. There are worse things. I would live with it. I wouldn’t even try to convince my best friend.

“Vicki?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks.”

I looked at Anika who was staring steadily at me. I raised an eyebrow in response.

“I know you hate the cold. And I know you’d probably rather be somewhere else, but I’m glad that you came with me.” She glanced at her thumbs that she had begun twiddling, “I didn’t have anyone else to go with me.”

I smiled, “I know and you’re welcome.”

She comically, shut one eye tight and looked at me, “Soooo, how much do you regret it so far?”

I laughed, “Not sure. Haven’t done the calculation yet.”

Anikia gave a relieved laugh before she habitually went to fuss about the blankets.

“Anikia….”

It must have been some major blanket fussing because she didn’t even look up at me, “Yeah?”

“Don’t you have something you need to be doing?”

She looked up at me, “I’m doing it.”

“Anikia?”

“Yeah?”

“Get somewhere.”

She arched one shoulder up, “That’s not here?”

I gave a strong nod. When she looked troubled I said, “I’ll be fine. Just let me sit here quietly, drink my hot chocolate, get warm. I’m not dying, girl.”

She seemed to think about this.

“I’ll call you if I need you.” I said gesturing to my phone.

Finally I got a slow nod, “Only if you’re okay.”

“I ran into a snowbank, not a block of ice. I’m fine.”

Anika stood up, grabbing her coat. “I’ll call you in half an hour. If you don’t pick up I’m coming back.”

And then without preamble, she turned and walked off. I muttered to myself before letting it go and sinking back into the warmth of the couch. Ahh, now this was nice. A fireplace, hot chocolate and a nice view.

I could see outside through the giant ceiling to floor windows across the room. The snow gently fell as I watched. Soft music played from somewhere.

This was nice.

But my thoughts went back to that blue-skinned man.

Did I really see him?

And that white bird?

I thought about this. It seemed no one else saw him as far as I could tell. But I wasn’t about to go around asking if they did. They would think I’m insane if they didn’t. Regardless, the important question was who was he and why could I see him and that bird?

I picked up my phone and went to the internet. I absently searched for white birds trying to find one that remotely looked like the one that I saw. All I got were the usual. Doves, white owls, the likes. The closest that resembled the bird I saw as a cockatoo. But even then I could not find a pure white cockatoo with crystal blue eyes during my search. With a sigh, I finally dropped the phone in my lap.

Maybe I shouldn’t worry about it anymore.

Maybe I really had been out in the cold too long.

It sure didn’t help my sinuses any. I sniffed and absently wiped my nose before picking up my empty cup. Maybe I’ll see if they have any tea on hand. I tossed the blankets aside and walked to the beverage table. I got a new cup and filled it with hot water from the tank before choosing a black tea. As I was dunking the tea bag into the cup, when I caught sight of a group of photos.

I hadn’t the time to look at them but one of them caught my eyes before the others. It was a photo of a young boy who looked to be about 12-13 years old. He had large round eyes and a shorn head, with a wide smile that showed off his dimples. His bright countenance, that warmed his sepia skin, offsetting the blue-black suit he was wearing.

Underneath his photo, a gold plaque was carved: Joshua M. Morgan, beloved brother and son. Gone too soon. April 23th 1984 - January 8th 1997.

My eyes traveled to the family photo next to it, taking when Joshua might have been 8-10 years old. Even in that photo, his eyes shined as he sat on his mother’s lap.

I have seen photos of his parents as they were heir to the Morgan Company. They were big in our community. On par with the Obamas themselves. Well, even before the Obamas. However, I rarely saw them now as they have retired and left the company to their only remaining son.

My eyes traveled from, mother to father and down to the young man who looked to be 14 years old or so. Unlike his brother in this photo, his countenance was stern even then. I thought perhaps he was trying to be like his father, but even I could see warmth in his father’s eyes in this photo. Liam Morgan looked like his brother, but he was taller and skinnier in this photo. Must be that awkward adolescent stage.

My eyes darted to the next photo of Liam Morgan now. That same stern countenance carried over from his youth. His eyes were narrower, pointed, even as he looked at the camera. He gave a slight crooked smile, as if he was trying to smile but didn’t quite make it. His hair was neatly trimmed with waves as he wore a deep blue suit, with a tie.

I had seen many photos of Liam Morgan in magazines. Although they say that he shelters his emotions, he has a kind heart. He had donated to charities and paid off student loans. He has expanded his family business, getting into real estate. Not only that, but he also has an MBA from Harvard.

In fact, he built this resort in honor of his brother whom he lost that day. They say that he still grieved over the accident and this was a way to come to terms with it. He said that Joshua loved the snow and got excited when they came to their family cabin for the holidays. I don't think that cabin existed anymore as he brought more land and turned it into a resort.

I smiled and nodded my head as I went back into the common room.