Another writing challenge on Writer's Carnival. A winter-themed story in 200 words or less. The results aren't out yet, but here's my story:

He had moved north a few full moons ago. Winter here was harsher than he had expected. In the land of his ancestors, were coconut palms and rice fields ruled the landscape, winter was but a cooler summer. But here, the wind chilled him to his bones and stung his face. The mist enshrouded the landscape till noon, and left glittering dewdrops on every surface, like diamonds scattered carelessly. This winter, it had even snowed.

He had left home for a reason – to forget the memories of his wife who was unjustly killed by the villagers. She had been accused of witchcraft and had been beheaded and burnt by the frenzied mob. The last sound he heard was of her anklets, the little bells tinkling merrily.

Before the villagers could turn on him, he had fled, and after several months, had finally reached the last outpost of civilization before the snowcapped Himalayas. He had hoped a new beginning would help him forget the painful memories of his wife. He would have buried the memories of that night, if it weren’t for the merry tinkling of her anklets every night.