As I walked further into the forest. The fog camouflaged the tall pine and fir trees nearby. Every step felt like wading through a cold, murky abyss. I was lost and confused, unable to find my way through the maze of shadows and mist.
In the eerie silence, I saw a faint glimmer of light. A pair of yellow dots shining in the darkness, like a firefly. Their light mesmerized me and I felt an inexplicable urge to follow them and unravel the mystery beckoning from the depths of the forest.
'Why I was so curious about the fireflies.'
*Rush!*
The two faint lights glimmered amidst the mist, and my feet carried me towards them without any sense of exhaustion. I'd even run for miles, but it felt like a feather being blown by the wind.
"Wait!"
Determined, I ran after those elusive lights! My footsteps echoed within the silent forest. Then, the trees whispered and the leaves rustled as if encouraging me to get away from that place.
At the same time, the light kept moving away as I pursued it.
As I ran through the uneven terrain, an unexpected encounter with a protruding olive tree root sent me crashing to the ground. The impact left my leg cut and bruised, it throbbed like crazy but I tried to endure the pain.
' Why there's a olive tree on the pine forrest?' I wonder.
I winced, struggling with the sharp sting that traveled up my leg. Taking a moment to compose myself, I inspected the wound, it wasn't too deep but warm blood was seeping from it.
After the pain subsided, I attempted to get up, only to be confronted with disorientation. The surroundings seemed unfamiliar, and the path I wanted to follow became blurred. My senses struggled to come to terms with my existence, momentarily losing clarity.
" Where's the firefly going?"
Not far in the distance, a field emerges, its yellow grass tinged with the hues of autumn, signaling the edge of the dense forest. This open expanse provides a stark contrast to the cold, shadowy, and damp atmosphere of the woods.
Amidst the serene landscape, a solitary figure catches my eye. There's a young girl around six, wearing a vibrant red beanie and a sturdy jacket, meticulously gathering leftover twigs.
The little girl abruptly turns, then our eyes meet each other. Her gaze piercing through the quietude, locking onto mine with an intensity that speaks volumes, yet she remains silent, adding an air of mystery to the tranquil scene.
"That girl...isn't that me?"
I was surprised to see the figure of the little girl turned out to be me when I was six years old. I remember those blonde wavy pigtails being very distinctive, her big green eyes, that thick eyelashes. I also remember I liked wearing a red beanie when I was around her age, especially with a yellow pin on it.
I'm still in disbelief at what I've seen. As we gaze meet each other from a distance. A slim, elegant lady in a lovely khaki dress with a bone-white cashmere scarf approached the young girl. Her neat blonde hair was styled in a bun.
Her green eyes and that charming smile, that can show you how much she love the little girl. The lady hugged the child and took her to her away.
"Mom?"
My eyes flooded with tears, and my voice shook. Four years since my mother left, this is the first time I have seen her. I cried for a moment, remembering the sorrowful moment that surrounded her passing.
'Where was I and where they're going? '
' I want to know the truth!'
After wiping my tears, I followed them secretly and found out they lived in a farmstead. All of a sudden, my inquisitive nature kicked in. After wiping my tears, I followed them secretly and found out they both resided in a farmstead.
The house interior was simple yet warm, creating an inviting ambiance! After helping her mother, the young girl settled at the dining table, eagerly anticipating the homemade beef stew.
It sounds like such a cozy and heartwarming moment! After helping her mother, the young girl settled at the dining table, eagerly anticipating the homemade beef stew.
The woman served the steaming stew onto the table, eliciting a gleeful cheer from the little girl.
The girl exclaimed her love for beef stew and eagerly reached for her favorite dish. As I observed the tender scene from afar, I felt a pang of longing. It wasn't just the savory aroma or the hearty meal that stirred my emotions.
It was the simple joy shared between mother and daughter, a bond so pure and unbreakable. Like the little girl, I too cherish the comforting taste of beef stew, a nostalgic feeling of warmth and love in every spoonful.
Once again, tears flowed from my eyes, and the emotional pain was unbearable. At that moment, amidst the clinking of utensils and cheerful chatter, I couldn't help but long for the warmth and companionship that seemed to permeate every corner of their humble abode.
I sobbed uncontrollably until a woman emerged from the house, drawn by my loud cries. Initially confused, she offered me a warm embrace, which I gratefully accepted.
She invited me into her home, and we are now seated with two others. She kindly offered me another serving and I inquired about her wellbeing and activities thus far.
" Hush... please don't cry Clarrie, Mom's here with you" The woman hugged and patted my shoulder.
' Clarrie? That's what my mum likes to call me! '
It is the first time in a long while that I have cried all day. My mother made attempts to lift my spirits and, as a result, I was entertained and felt happy and cheerful once more. I continuously complain and babble about my exhausting days and how Dad keeps pushing me to find someone to marry.
During my overindulgence in conversation, I observed the sudden disappearance of the young girl designated to sit beside me, which left me perplexed.
My mother expressed pride in having a daughter like myself, though I became aware of my rambling in front of her. I sensed that something was not right, because I remembered from the beginning of my life that I was not sure of my existence and purpose in the forest at that time.
*Ta-thump!*
'Wait! Where did the little girl go?'
"This isn't real!"
"What's the matter, Clarrie?"My mother inquired anxiously.
I gazed at her with certainty and declared, "You are not my mom!"
"My dear, what are you talking about?"
"My mom already passed away! Who are you?"
It was not clear what had been said. Suddenly, the knife that had been hanging neatly behind her swiftly flew towards me. My eyes widened, and I felt a sense of fear.
I heard 'someone' whispering to me to follow his words, the voice whispered a chant and I spontaneously chanted along. I quickly reached out my hand and cast a spell.
As I recited the incantation, the knives fell to the floor with a loud clatter, and then suddenly, the room was engulfed in flames!
How wild is that? It was chaotic, situation. On the top it all off, the person I thought was my mom transformed into a monstrous being!
"GRRRRRR!!!"
As the creature's transformation took place in front of me, its formerly human-like legs turned black, then elongated and sharpened into menacing claws, while its hands sprouted black hairs and elongated claws.
The claws swung, almost clawing my neck.
Instinctively, I recoiled, fear gripping me as I struggled to comprehend the surreal scene unfolding before my eyes. I tried to chant the other incantations that 'he' whispered.
But nothing happened...
Until I heard the sound of the footsteps of a very large beast, I could tell because it was quite heavy as it ran.
*Wham!*
The shiny black furry beast with a pair of yellow eyes ran closer, he attacked from the left side of the monster with his big sharp claws on the hands, causing it to lose its head.
'Those eyes, when I look at them, resemble a pair of fireflies that I've been chasing!'
*Splurt!*
Thick black blood flowed profusely from its neck and its head. The fire spread and burned the head, which made the head scream in pain. Then the monster's body vanishes into the fire.
*Dash!*
The beast quickly pulled me away from the burned house into the heart of the dense forest. The beast features strangely reminded me of someone I had met before, but I don't remember where we met.
" You seem so familiar...did we meet before?"
The beast ignored me. Still focused on running while carrying my body in his hands.
Despite the chaos that surrounded us, his urgency was evident as he guided me with purpose, his steps purposeful and determined.
*Crash!*
As we navigated deeper into the maze of trees, my senses heightened, every rustle of leaves and crackle of tree branches sending chills down my spine. The air was thick with unspoken tension, an unknown weight pressing down on us like a thick fog.
Finally, we arrived at a clearing, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight in the meadow. While holding me with both hands, the beast howled...His howl sounded gentle yet powerful at the same time.
The beast's fur began to lose, carried by the wind. His features transform into a man in his thirties. The man's grip on my arm tightened, his gaze locking onto the bright moon.
"Who are you?" I said while looking at his face curiously. His gaze still locking onto the moon.
He didn't answer. Then, he sent me down to the meadow and started to walk out, but I impeded him.
"What kind of creature is that?" I asked, feeling bewildered.
I couldn't make out his face clearly, although the moonlight in the meadow was very bright at that time. Nor could I hear his voice, but I did see his mouth move as he offered a brief response to my inquiry. Shortly after, the man fled and my vision became blurry.