It Snowed For Twenty Years

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It snowed for twenty years and still, not a single snowflake settled on the ground. The people who lived in the town of Downbury had adapted their routines to allow them to live with the constant powder that fell from the sky. The days were shorter and the nights were longer, with chilled winds that bit into the cheeks on every face of the town’s residents. When the endless fall began, and those in charge began to trip and fall over their decisions, a curfew was enforced and roles were assigned to all those able to work.

Almost everyone from Downbury could share knowledge of electricity and the workings of the heating machines. For those were the machines that allowed the town to keep running and it was essential that they never falter. Without the heating machines, pipes would freeze, doors would seal and life would come to a halt. The snow had not come alone, it came with everything winter had to offer and used it all to steal memories of summer. Even though no shovelling was needed and no roads or pavements needed to be cleared, there was an ongoing battle against the snow for light and heat.

For two decades the snow was silent and not a single boot had ever crunched on an icy blanket. Its maker would not allow it for every snowflake was precious and not to be harmed.

Until, one day, one her twelfth birthday, Bethany wandered to the roof of her father’s shop. The snow had been peaceful this week and the town hadn’t needed to shelter from a blizzard for some time.