In winter, snow whirled through the sky, and the sunlight had nowhere to go. On the street, people crowded together in rows, wearing short sleeves with their hair tied up, as if it were summer.
The crystal snowflakes melted in the heat of the crowd, becoming drops of water in the sea of people. The river of humanity surged down every road, its weight making the earth sway.
Then, a green light appeared faintly through the snow. Everyone stopped and raised their heads in unison, joining together to sing praises to the green light.
A child's cry broke the silence. The only people who had not joined the parade watched the child. Her obsidian eyes sank into the thick bedding. Her mother got up and picked her up.
"Aurora? What do you think of that name?"
"No, I just thought she wouldn't be as..." The man's gaze hovered uncertainly. He glanced at them just once. "She was born on Winter's Eve. Aurora suits her best." As his words fell, the cramped, dim room emptied, and everyone went out.
Sera held her daughter close. In the quiet room, all she wanted was to lose herself in the warmth in her arms.
"Aurora, Aurora, Aurora..."
Theme: An outsider
