At a Winter's Fire

"At a Winter's Fire" by Bernard Capes is a compilation of short stories that starts with a chilling narrative set high in the Swiss Alps, where an adventurer meets a young man named Camille Barbière and his mother. The story unfolds with the protagonist traveling through a lonely and frightening gorge as night falls, setting a tone of suspense and unease. Camille, once a normal young man, now battles a mental instability triggered by a traumatic event that happened under a full moon. As the protagonist learns about Camille's past, he is captivated by the young man's contrasting nature—his moments of tenderness mixed with an unsettling presence. The story creates a blend of psychological suspense and supernatural mystery, asking readers to look at the depths of the human mind within a captivating, yet ominous setting.