Elena's POV
The next morning arrived with an eerie calm that unsettled Elena. Blackwood Hollow, cloaked in its usual veil of mist, seemed to hum with an undercurrent of tension. She awoke early, driven by a restless energy that refused to let her linger in bed. Caleb was already gone, his absence marked by the faint smell of coffee and the open journal left on the table.
Curious, Elena wandered over and flipped through its pages. It was filled with sketches—wolves, plants, and strange symbols she didn't recognize. Her fingers traced one of the symbols, a crescent moon surrounded by jagged lines. It seemed familiar, though she couldn't place where she had seen it before.
"You're up early."
Caleb's voice startled her, and she spun around to see him standing in the doorway, a bundle of firewood in his arms. His hair was slightly damp from the morning dew, and his piercing eyes seemed softer in the golden light streaming through the windows.
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted, gesturing to the journal. "What is this?"
He set the firewood down and walked over, glancing at the page she had open. "It's a record of everything I've learned about Blackwood Hollow and the supernatural. The symbols... they're connected to the obelisk and its power."
Elena's heart skipped a beat. "Do you think it's related to me?"
Caleb hesitated, then nodded. "I can't say for certain, but it's possible. The obelisk reacted to you for a reason. I'm still trying to figure out what that reason is."
Her mind buzzed with questions, but before she could ask them, Caleb turned toward the door. "We should go into town today. There's someone I think you need to meet."
---
The walk to town was quiet, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and the occasional chirp of birds. Elena glanced at Caleb, noting the tension in his jaw.
"Who are we meeting?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"An old friend," he replied cryptically.
Elena frowned but didn't press further. She knew better than to try and pry answers from him when he was in this mood.
---
They arrived at the Blackwood General Store, a quaint little building with peeling paint and a creaky sign that swayed in the breeze. Caleb held the door open for her, and Elena stepped inside, the scent of aged wood and herbs filling her nostrils.
Behind the counter stood an older woman with silver-streaked hair tied back in a loose braid. Her sharp eyes widened slightly when she saw Caleb, but her expression quickly softened into a smile.
"Caleb," she said warmly. "It's been a long time."
"Too long, Agnes," he replied, his tone carrying a note of familiarity.
Agnes turned her gaze to Elena, her smile fading into a look of curiosity. "And who's this?"
"This is Elena," Caleb said. "She's... new to Blackwood."
Agnes stepped around the counter, her movements graceful despite her age. She studied Elena intently, her eyes seeming to pierce through her.
"You have a strong energy about you," Agnes said finally. "There's something special about you, isn't there?"
Elena shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "I don't know about that," she said, glancing at Caleb for reassurance.
Agnes chuckled, the sound light and melodic. "Don't be modest, dear. The forest doesn't choose just anyone."
Elena blinked in surprise. "The forest chose me?"
Agnes nodded, her expression serious now. "Blackwood Hollow is alive in its own way. It's connected to those who are meant to protect it. If the obelisk responded to you, it means you have a role to play."
The weight of her words settled heavily on Elena's shoulders. "But I don't even know what I'm supposed to do," she said, her voice trembling.
"That's why you have him," Agnes said, nodding toward Caleb. "He'll guide you."
Caleb shifted uncomfortably, clearly unused to such praise. "We're still figuring things out," he said. "But we could use your help."
Agnes smiled knowingly. "Of course. I'll gather what I can about the obelisk and its symbols. In the meantime, be careful. The forest isn't the only thing watching."
---
As they left the store, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that Agnes's words held more weight than she let on. Caleb led her down a side street, his expression unreadable.
"Are you okay?" she asked, breaking the silence.
He stopped and turned to her, his gaze intense. "I just need you to trust me, Elena. No matter what happens, promise me you'll trust me."
The urgency in his voice sent a chill down her spine. "I promise," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
---
That evening, Elena sat by the fire, replaying the day's events in her mind. The forest chose her. She had a role to play. But what did that mean?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps outside. She turned to see Caleb entering the cabin, his expression grim.
"We're not alone," he said, locking the door behind him.
Elena's heart raced. "What do you mean?"
"I picked up a scent while we were in town," he said, his voice low. "Rogues. They're close."
Panic bubbled in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm. "What do we do?"
"We prepare," Caleb said, his eyes dark and determined. "And we fight."