Winter Romance Story Challenge
cscherer@golden.net (Martin Scherer)

heres a short story for you. VERY SHORT. I really couldn't be bother going
more into character description or circumstance. If you want me to do it, I
will but It may take longer then the winter to get it done.

So its best to few this at a glimpse, as a comic, as the story outline of a
winter story  featuring a man returning to the only home he knows, to think
it has all changed, and realizing somethings don't change. Like the Crime
in the city, the disrespect it gets.  Or how one truly feels. 

Good luck finding the romance, I had trouble writting it in.

Chracters are From The Question copyright DC.



----

Snow is a bleak covering. It covers everything, crime, lust, hate and love.
You can stand in the snow and be alone till your hearts content. You can
stare at it willing for it till melt all you want. 

But you'll soon realize that it'll melt when its good and ready.

 * * *

I found myself back in Hub City. It funny how no matter which road I take
to leave here, I eventually come back again. And as always I find myself in
front of her estate. The lovely mayor of this hell hole of a city, Myra
Freeman. 

"We had something once Myra, where did it go wrong? Was it that winter when
I decided to leave Hub City behind me and you decided to stay behind? Was
it when you found me cold and naked in front of the church, at the end of
my rope, you realized your hero, mr.no face was me and that I was washed up?" 

He often expects a reply when he says this. But who is there to reply to
him, but the field of snow. 

* * *

I found myself  in a hotel for the night. I could always go and stay with
Tot, but why would I be a burden on him? 

 I stretch my leg behind my head traveling to that warm place inside. 

	I'm standing before a face, on closer look, its my face. It grows and
towers over me,
	"WHO ARE YOU?"
	Charles Saza, a name given to me by the nun who found me.
	"NO, WHO ARE YOU?"
	Vic Sage, my profesional name when I was a TV journalist.
	"NO!"
	The face fades away, and that is before me is a feature less face.
	The mark of the Question.
	I run away, scared of knowing the answer.


 * * *

I come out from the inside to the radio. "WHUB is proud to annouce to you
that our Mayor Myra has been kidnapped again.." I hear enough, as  I stand
up I put on my 'working clothes' , they change to the dark shade of blue as
I apply the skin to my face. My orange hair turns brown. The skins hides
the features of my face. I wear my true face, that of no face.

I pause to turn off the radio. I remember why I dispease Hub City, after
all it's the only city in North America with a high crime rate then Gotham.
The Radio annoucers  joking at the abduction of the best thing the city has
for it, Myra.

I leave through the window, exiting by the fire escape.

* * *

The clues were obvious, and I find myself in front of the docks. The Vipers
at it again. It was easy enough to subdue the one guard, a quick kick to
the temple is all it takes. Then I hear the noise inside. Looking in I see
Myra has a new protector. He's sloppy, leaving his back open to an attack.
But he succeds netherless and kisses Myra on the lips. He reminds me of a
young me.

Is he her new boyfriend? Most likely judging by the kiss.

And that how I find my self here asking, "Why do I think things don't
change? " as the sun rises over the pier, the snow melts, eroding some of
the concrete with it. I stare in the window at Myra, so beautiful.. so far
away though. She turns and looks at me straight on, he gaze digging through
the fake skins to my true eyes. She turns back for a moment. 

In that moment I leave with the melting snow, things change, and some
questions need to be answered.

Maybe next time I find myself here, I'll know who I am and I can approach
you Myra. No more mysteries, no more acting how I think is proper. No more
masks. No more snow.

* * *

"Myra, what is it?" her saviour askes.

"I thought I saw Vic."

"Vic is long gone, Its funny, guys say they get jealous of other guys easy,
but you always make me jealous of this Vic character.. He's not coming
back. You said it yourself"

"I may be wrong. I know he'll be back, as soon as he realizes that most
things change, but other things don't." says Myra

"What does that mean?" Her boyfriend asks.

"I don't know… but if you Vic would probably know."

* * *

The snow melts and new flowers will grow, the trees will spring new leaves.

And the ever green remains, as always, ever green.