*An Unopened Box

Intro: It is the first of July and I am writing a wintery story, a little odd I know. Once again, I don't really know where this story came from, I just wanted a winter themed story in a futuristic setting and this is what happened.

Persephone stood at the window to her room, taking in the falling snow. She wanted to go and play, but she didn't have that option as a Child of the Heavens. Children of the Earth lived in the city. Children of the heavens, known by their yellow eyes, remained at all times in the tower. She was one of two children of the heavens currently living. She hated it.

Her brother, Titan, sat by the fire, reading the book she'd purchased the day before. She didn't want to miss anything tonight and she had been hoping the book would keep her awake. Titan use to buy books but not anymore but he still borrowed hers whenever he got the opportunity.

"Cheapskate," she said to the wind.

"Close the window, your letting all of the cold in."

Persephone touched the sensor next to the window and the force field shimmered into place. She wanted to demand Titan give her back her book but he was already half way through it. If she took it now he would bother her until she gave it back or she finished. At this rate he would be done by tomorrow and then she would be able to take her time with it. She would just have to make sure he didn't give anything away.

"Why are you so anxious?" Titan asked, flicking his finger across the screen for the next page.

"I'm not," She replied.

"Then why is there a track in the floor?"

Persephone glanced down and Titan laughed, flicking to another page.

"Don't you ever find it odd, that this is the only time we see them?"

Titan didn't answer and for a few minutes she thought that he was too entranced in the book, but he never moved his hand to turn the page. He had been thinking about it, he just didn't tell her.

"I would rather see them one day then never at all," Titan finally said and went back to his book.

"What about the third option, seeing them every day? Some people do have that option. Some people aren't locked away —"

"That's enough."

"Come on, Titan. Just because of our eye color we are given archaic names and shut up in a tower to play as gods. It isn't fair."

Titan remained silent, to Persephone's irritation. He always remained silent when he knew he was winning the argument. Her temper got the better of her more often than she cared to admit. She stomped to the window again and opened it. The blanket of snow only existed in a few places. Most of the building radiated enough heat to melt the small ice crystals as soon as they landed. She held out her hand and caught a few flakes.

"It's cold."

"Deal with it," Persephone replied. Her hand melted the snow as well and she looked at the drops of water. The city lights reflected through the prism and turned the world upside down. She leaned against the window sill felling the warmth of the city life from beneath her and the cool of the weather above her. Snow drifted down on her head and melted in her hair running and dripping down her hair. She let her tears mingle with the water already seeping down her face.

"They're late," Titan said and she turned from the window. She knew her face must be pale and the heat from the room made her cheeks tingle from the warmth. Titan tossed the book on her chair, signaling he'd finished it.

"They never promised they'd even be here."

"They've been here every other year," Titan said. "I'm sure they'll be here this year too."

Persephone wiped the water off of her face with her sleeve.

"Why don't you take a warm shower?"

She nodded and headed to her room. Titan was only two years older than she was but at this moment, she felt the age between them like the distance to the moon. The shower helped warm her body but she had little hope when she walked back into the living room.

"They're not coming," Persephone said.

"Of course they are."

"It's almost two in the morning."

"They're just running a little late," Titan said. He held out her book and a blanket. "I'll wake you as soon as they get here."

Persephone nodded and curled up on the chair entranced in her book.

She hadn't even realized she'd fallen asleep until a cool breeze brushed her ears and she shivered. The room was dark, the only light coming from the city beneath open window. She thought about getting up to shut it but decided she would rather wait it out in the blanket than get even colder, if even temporarily.

As she stared at the window a shadow moved in front of it. Titan. He leaned against the window, looking out at the night sky. Persephone's heart skipped as she watched her brother stare out at the night sky.

"No more."

Titan stayed at the window the snow blowing in around his frame and Persephone fell into a fitful sleep.

"Are you planning on sleeping all day?"

Persephone opened her eyes and looked around the room. A couple of presents stood near the door.

"They came?" she asked.

"Yeah." Titan ran a hand through his hair. "I tried to wake you but you were with the dead. Sorry." He paused for a moment. "They won't be able to come anymore, visiting hours have been restricted."

Persephone spent the rest of the day playing games with Titan already planning the day when they would leave. They should have named her Pandora.