Anezka's Pov
Once, Aunt Serena gently grasped my hand, guiding me toward the terrace of our cozy cottage.
As we walked, my eyes were drawn to the intricate patterns and vibrant colors of the dress she wore, which seemed to dance in the sunlight.
When we finally reached the terrace, she turned to me with a mysterious smile and said, "You stay here. Once I call you, then come to me." I nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement, and quietly positioned myself in the corner of the terrace, my heart racing with anticipation.
Aunt Serena moved ten steps ahead of me, her figure illuminated by the golden rays of the sun. Then, she closed her eyes, and in an instant, it felt as though she was channeling a powerful energy that resonated through the air. A palpable shift occurred; nature began to respond to her presence. The leaves atop the trees vibrated with a soft rustling, as if whispering secrets to one another, and dark clouds rolled ominously overhead, rumbling like distant thunder.
The wind picked up, swirling around us with a wild intensity that sent shivers down my spine. It was frightening; I squeezed my eyes shut in fear and covered my ears with my hands, hoping to shield myself from the overwhelming sounds. Suddenly, a grand tree burst forth from the terrace floor, its roots breaking through the surface as if it had been waiting for this moment to awaken.
Aunt Serena turned her gaze towards me, her eyes sparkling with warmth and encouragement. "Come closer," she called me softly.
I was captivated but also a bit frightened by the magical tree standing before us. Its trunk was sturdy, but its leaves were the most delightful shade of pastel pink, shimmering gently in the light like a magical dream brought to life.
It was an enchanting sight, almost otherworldly in its beauty. With my heart racing, I took a few hesitant steps towards her, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. Sensing my uncertainty, Aunt Serena smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, nothing harmful will happen. You can relax. Instead, you're about to witness something truly magical. So, come to me, my dear."
I finally summoned the courage to stand beside her, facing the mysterious tree. "Can you hold my hand, please?" she asked, her voice a soothing melody. I grasped her supple hand tightly, feeling its warmth and comfort. Then, taking our joined hands, she pressed them gently against the tree's rough trunk. In that moment, something extraordinary happened.
A large mystical hollow began to emerge from the tree, revealing itself as if the tree were crafting a secret passageway to another world. The air around us seemed to shimmer with anticipation, as if inviting us into a realm filled with wonders beyond our imagination.
After a few seconds, Aunt Serena gently drew me towards her, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and seriousness. "Let's go to our world, my child," she said softly, her voice filled with an enchanting allure.
"A world that needs you, a world that has been waiting for you for years. It's finally time." Her words swirled around in my mind, creating a whirlwind of confusion.
"Our world? A world that needs me and has been waiting for me?" I tried to grasp the meaning hidden within her captivating declaration. Just as I began to ponder the immensity of it all, Aunt Serena took my hand and guided me towards a mysterious pathway that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal blue light.
As we stepped closer, an exhilarating rush coursed through me, but my heart suddenly seized, and my breath caught in my throat. It felt as if I were being pulled into an entirely different dimension, one filled with both wonder and dread. Before I could collect my thoughts or prepare for what lay ahead, the world around me faded into darkness, and I sank into unconsciousness, enveloped by the unknown.
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"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul"
- By John Muir