The long-awaited day of the festival had arrived, and Aurora was fully prepared. She informed her parents that she would be retiring to bed early, citing fatigue, and requested not to be disturbed.
In her bedroom, she arranged two pillows under her blanket, creating the illusion of her sleeping form. This strategic move was designed to mislead her parents into thinking she was sound asleep, especially if they decided to check on her during the night. Aurora knew her parents usually turned in early, being early risers themselves, making this a crucial element of her plan.
She quickly changed into her dress for the festival. The purple gown was made of a sturdy cotton fabric, gathered at the waist and hemmed with a simple lace trim. The bodice was fitted and lined with a lightweight muslin fabric, with delicate floral embroidery in a contrasting color. The sleeves were elbow-length, with a gathered cuff and matching embroidery. Aurora's hair was gathered into a simple, low bun at the nape of her neck, with a few loose curls framing her face. She wore a pair of comfortable, flat shoes and carried a small cloth bag, which held a few coins and a small knife for protection.
Exiting through the front door appeared to be the straightforward choice, but she was unwilling to take the risk of getting caught. Instead, her only viable option was to make the daring leap from the window.
As Aurora opened the window, a rush of cold air brushed against her skin. The distance from the window to the solid ground below didn't seem too daunting. She took a deep breath, balanced herself on the window frame, and, with a leap, landed on her feet outside. Surprisingly, the descent was smoother than she had anticipated, and she chuckled at her success.
She gazed up at the dark sky, where the moon shone brightly, casting a path of silvery light. A part of it was tinged red, indicating the beginning of the red moon, and once it was entirely crimson, the festival would be in full swing. With one last glance back at her cottage, she let out a sigh, clutching her bag tightly, and began her journey into the woods—the only route leading to the festival's location.
The trees stretched high above the character's head, their leaves rustling gently in the night breeze. The ground beneath her feet was covered in a thick layer of leaves. The air was filled with the scent of pine needles, and the sound of crickets chirping filled her ears.
As she walked for a few minutes, an unsettling feeling crept over her, making her second-guess her decision to sneak out. But there was no turning back now. She quickened her pace, refusing to look back, not even once. In the distance, she spotted a figure standing ahead. The person turned toward her, and she felt relief flood over her as she recognized it was Mary.
"You made it," Mary exclaimed happily, noticing Aurora's worried glance over her shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Aurora turned her attention back to Mary and nodded. "I'm fine, it's just feels creepy out there," she muttered.
"I know right." Mary agreed. "but that's the least of our worries. We have a few minutes until the full red moon," Mary stated. Aurora looked up at the sky and saw that half of the moon had already turned red, moving surprisingly fast.
Together, they made their way to the village town square where the festival was in full swing. Torches and candles illuminated the area, casting a warm glow in the darkness. An array of foods and drinks were served, and a live band was playing music.
It was just as Aurora had remembered, and she was grateful she hadn't missed it.
Just then, she spotted Adrian, and a smile graced her lips as she strolled alongside Mary in his direction.
"Look, you made it," Adrian greeted her with visible excitement, though his enthusiasm waned upon noticing his sister's presence. "And you too," he muttered.
Mary responded with a scoff, well aware that being in the company of her annoying brother often led to teasing.
"Meet me at the bonfire," Mary said to Aurora with a reassuring smile. "I'll be over there if you need me."
"Wait," Adrian attempted to stop her, but she brushed past him, joining a group seated by the bonfire. A light chuckle escaped his lips, finding satisfaction in how easily he could annoy his sister.
Returning his gaze to meet Aurora's hazel eyes, he continued, "You look lovely this evening," with a charming smile.
"Thank you," Aurora replied in a hushed tone, attempting to conceal the blush that crept onto her face. His compliment, while not the first, held a special charm coming from him.
A moment of silence settled between them as they stood close, the boisterous music enveloping them with its lively tempo, fueling the excitement in the air. The cheers of the crowd echoed through the night.
"Would you like to dance?" he inquired, extending his hand, aiming to dissolve the tension between them.
"Care for a dance?" he asked, extending his hand to break the tension.
"I would love to," Aurora replied, taking his hand with a friendly warning, "but I must admit I am not the best dancer."
"You don't need to be an expert dancer to enjoy the art of dance," he assured her as his grip tightened around her hand, pulling her closer. "Just follow the rhythm," he said with a sly smile.
Aurora and Adrian glided onto the dance floor, the lively music enveloping them as they swayed to the rhythm. At first, Aurora felt a bit self-conscious, but Adrian's confident and reassuring presence put her at ease.
As the music's tempo quickened, Adrian twirled Aurora gracefully, causing her to giggle in delight. She followed his lead, allowing herself to get lost in the music and the moment. The worries of sneaking out and the presence she had sensed in the woods melted away as she focused on the dance and the charming young man before her.
"That's it, you're getting the hang of it," Adrian's eyes sparkled, and Aurora's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as they danced under the moonlit sky.
As the music stopped, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Aurora, still flushed with laughter, found herself basking in the joy of the moment. She couldn't help but join in the cheers, her heart pounding with excitement as she tried to catch her breath.
A brief pause followed, but then the music resumed, this time a slow, romantic melody. Adrian, with a charming smile, extended his hand toward Aurora. Her own smile grew as she placed her hand in his.
Adrian's strong, yet gentle hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Their faces were now just inches apart as they swayed in perfect harmony with the slow, melodic rhythm of the music. Time seemed to slow down as they lost themselves in the enchanting moment, their eyes locked, and the world around them faded into the background.
But unknown to them, hidden behind the trees and bushes, a pair of golden-colored eyes observed them from a distance. The observer wore a deep frown, which only deepened as he licked his elongated canines, his presence hidden from the festivities.