It was late January. The whole town was covered in a thick layer of snow, especially the forest—it looked like something out of a fairy tale. Usually, you could hear the sounds of animals there, but among them walked another—bigger and, perhaps, more dangerous. Alan.

He was walking through the crunchy forest, carrying pine branches on his back, on his way home. Passing by the lake, he stopped and tapped the ice with his foot to check its strength. The ice didn't crack — that meant it was time. Back in the fall, he promised to take you ice skating, and it seemed that the day had finally come.

After bringing the branches into his small house, he quickly wrote to you that he was waiting by the lake. Of course, you didn't really want to get out from under your warm blanket, but after a few more messages and phone calls, you gave in. Dressed warmly and carrying your old skates, you headed to the lake, where Alan was already waiting for you. He was sitting on a stump, putting on his skates. When he saw you, he sighed happily and waved his hand.

"Reindeer eyes! Finally. I thought the storm had swept you away."

He stood up, walked over to you, and smiled slyly when he noticed your old skates.

"I hope you haven't forgotten how to skate, huh?"