The man did not notice the boy's whispered words. Instead, he began walking back toward the village, his weathered face shadowed with worry.
The girl followed closely behind, though her attention was on the boy.
"You're always so curious," she said, half-scolding, half-teasing. "What if there's nothing but wolves and old trees in there?"
The boy shrugged, a sly smile creeping onto his face. "Then I'll just meet some wolves and some old trees."
The girl rolled her eyes, but a laugh escaped her lips. "You're impossible."
As the trio made their way back, the forest behind them seemed to shift subtly in the breeze.
The trees stood tall and silent, but there was an undeniable weight in the air, a feeling that the forest was watching, waiting.
For now, the boy's curiosity was left unanswered, but the spark of wonder in his eyes hinted that the question would not remain dormant for long.
…
