I was mopping the floor when I heard my mother's loud, rasping coughs echoing from her room. Panic surged through me, and I abandoned the mop, leaving the water and suds splattered behind.
When I reached her room, the coughing had stopped, but the sight before me sent a chill down my spine. Blood was dripping from her hand, and as my gaze shifted, I saw more at the corners of her mouth. My heart pounded against my chest as I rushed to her side, sliding to my knees beside the bed.
"What happened, Mom?" I gasped, my voice trembling with fear. I could barely recognize the woman before me—the only family I had left. My father was gone, taken too soon, and now, the thought of losing her was unbearable. I wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in the crook of her neck, my sobs muffled against her fragile frame.
"Don't worry, darling. I'm fine," she whispered gently, but another violent cough wracked her body, and I pulled back, panic rising again. I raced to the kitchen, fumbling for a glass, my hands shaking as I filled it with water and rushed back.
She sipped the water, but it did little to ease her pain. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't bear to look at her as the blood stained her lips. Her hair, once vibrant, was now streaked with gray, a stark reminder of the time that had passed too quickly.
"It's okay, darling," she murmured, wiping my tears with a weak hand. "Everyone gets old sooner or later."
"No!" I cried, my voice cracking. "I already lost Dad! I can't lose you now!"
"But you can't change what's happening," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please, go live your life."
I clutched her hand, my tears falling freely. "No, Mom. You are my life."
She smiled weakly, the lines on her face deepening. "I'm fine now. Mrs. Flex needs your help, remember?"
I nodded, knowing she was trying to reassure me, but the fear still gnawed at me. I helped her lie back down, tucking the blanket around her as she drifted into a restless sleep. Once I was sure she was resting, I left the room, though my heart ached to stay.
After changing my clothes, I headed out, my pace quicker than usual. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the forest path. The trees loomed ominously, their branches twisting into monstrous shapes, and the distant howls of wolves echoed through the darkness. But the creatures of the forest were the least of my worries.
I needed to reach the stall before it was too late.
The soft glow of lanterns soon pierced the darkness, leading me to the stall. The old woman behind it turned as I approached, her long, narrow nose casting a shadow over her face. She smiled, revealing teeth that were yellowed and broken, a deceptive warmth in her eyes.
"What do you need, my child?" she asked, her voice sweet yet laced with bitterness. Though she seemed kind, I knew better. Her true nature was far more sinister, and I could feel the weight of her greed and cruelty in the air.
"Do you have the flowers?" I asked, my voice laced with urgency.
"Yes, and do you have the money?" she replied, a smirk playing on her lips. I swallowed hard and nodded. Her smile widened, and she turned to pack the flowers I had requested.
"Your Faelily and Aetheris Blossom," she announced, holding the packet out toward me. I reached for it, but she pulled it back, her chuckle low and malicious.
"Oh no, darling! First, the money," she whispered, her tone dripping with satisfaction.
My eyes narrowed as I glared at her, pulling the pouch from my dress pocket and tossing it onto the table. My anger simmered just beneath the surface; this woman knew exactly how to prey on desperation. "Count it! 10,000 Zephs!" I snapped, yanking the packet from her grasp.
"Looks like someone's frustrated," she taunted, but I ignored her, turning on my heel and heading back into the forest. Her voice faded behind me, but I didn't care what else she had to say. My only focus was getting home as quickly as possible.
The path ahead was dark, the trees casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. Suddenly, I heard the rustling of bushes. My heart raced as I instinctively pulled out the knife from my pocket, turning to see who—or what—was there. The forest was silent, but then a shadow moved in the corner of my eye. I gripped the knife tighter, every sense on high alert.
Without warning, something lunged at me from behind. I spun around and tried to stab the creature, but it was too fast. It knocked me to the ground, my knife slipping from my grasp. Hot breath and saliva dripped onto my face, and I found myself staring into the cold, gray eyes of a wolf. It snarled, preparing to strike, but I caught its paws, using all my strength to throw it off.
I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding in my ears. The wolf circled, ready to attack again. I dashed for my knife, grabbing it just in time to face the beast. It hesitated, aware of the threat I now posed.
Then, I felt something warm trickling down my face. I touched my cheek and saw it—gray blood. My eyes flicked back to the wolf. It took two steps back, then suddenly charged. I dodged its leap, bending backward just in time, and drove the knife into its chest as it passed.
The wolf collapsed, its body too weak to continue the fight, gray blood pooling on the ground. I stared at it, breathing heavily, waiting for another attack. But then I noticed its frail appearance—its ribs jutting out from its thin, mangy coat. This wolf was alone, likely having lost its pack, struggling to survive.
I approached it cautiously, bending down beside its dying form. It struggled weakly, its eyes locking with mine, filled with pain and exhaustion.
"I'm sorry to kill you," I whispered, my voice softening. "I hope you rest in peace with your family." I clasped my hands together, bowing my head in a moment of respect.
When I opened my eyes, the wolf was still, its suffering finally ended. I stood up, feeling a mix of sorrow and relief, and continued on my way home, the weight of what had just happened heavy on my heart.