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Marissa pulled back the sheets on her bed and stretched, relishing the feeling of her joints

moving once again. Looking around, she saw the cozy wooden walls of the cabin, her home

away from home. Far removed from the busy pace of everyday life, Marissa felt free as a bird,

like she was finally able to spread her wings. Here, in this quiet cabin in the woods, Marissa

could think, she could breathe, and she could truly relax. She pressed her bare feet against

the hardwood floors and felt a small shiver travel up her spine. It wasn't a bad feeling.

In fact, she quite enjoyed it. A sensation tingled through her body and awakened her sleepy limbs.

Slowly, she padded to the window and threw back the curtains.

Outside, the world was covered in mist and frost.

Marissa loved winter, especially when it looked like this. She could barely make out the naked

branches of the trees that stood strong and proud outside the cabin. They kept her tucked away

from the rest of the world, for which she was grateful. Marissa felt safe here in the middle of nowhere

inside this little cabin. Peace blossomed within her, like a white flower that stretched its

yawning roots through her body. The radiators popped as they came to life and began to warm the room.

She was grateful for the heat rising from them, holding her hands above the one beside her.

The warmth enveloped her like a thick blanket and she smiled. This was what made winter so special.

It was the little things, a cozy blanket, a fire and a good book.

...