Charlotte left the grand ball without having her first dance. The music and laughter faded behind her as she wandered into the cool night, her steps crunching softly on the gravel path leading to the estate gardens. The intricate lace of her gown dragged through dew-laden grass, its once-pristine hem now streaked with dirt and torn brambles. But she didn't care. A sense of quiet amusement danced in her chest—how ironic, she thought, to have spent weeks preparing for this evening, only to leave before it truly began.
Her feet carried her to the spot where their carriage had been parked that morning. It was empty now, the horses gone, and an unfamiliar breeze tugged at her hair. She hardly noticed when the manicured garden turned to wilder terrain, nor did she worry when the gentle hum of the party disappeared entirely behind her. Charlotte had always been fearless, a trait that others called naive but that she knew was her connection to nature, to the rhythm of life itself. She believed deeply that the world around her—its trees, its creatures, its winds—meant her no harm.
Deeper into the forest she wandered, her path lit faintly by moonlight filtering through the canopy above. Then, she heard it—a sound that didn't belong. A weak, pitiful cry, carried on the wind. "Help."
Charlotte froze, her heart quickening for the first time that evening. She turned toward the sound, pushing past thick brush until she came upon it: a creature that could only be described as extraordinary.
It looked like a great bird, but no bird she had ever seen before. Its feathers shimmered faintly even under the pale light, a spectrum of iridescent blues and greens marred by deep, crimson streaks of blood. Its massive form trembled, its golden eyes dull with pain.
"Oh, no," she whispered, kneeling beside the creature. It flinched at her approach but lacked the strength to flee.
"Are you... okay?" she asked softly, her voice trembling. Of course it wouldn't answer, but it felt right to speak.
The creature groaned faintly, its head sinking to the ground as its body sagged, almost lifeless. Charlotte's heart clenched. Without hesitation, she pressed her hands against its wound, closing her eyes and summoning the gift she had.
A warmth spread from her fingertips, golden light spilling forth and knitting the creature's wounds together. Slowly, the bleeding stopped, and its labored breathing steadied. Exhausted, Charlotte leaned back, watching as the bird-like creature's eyes fluttered shut.
"You'll be okay," she murmured. "Rest."
She stayed beside it for as long as she could, but as dawn broke, her strength failed. The last thing she remembered was the gentle rustling of leaves above her before everything went black.
---
The bird-like creature awoke to a world transformed. The forest was alive with morning light, casting golden beams through the trees. Its powerful body no longer ached, and the memory of its savior lingered—a girl, small and brave, with hands that radiated a healing warmth.