As I wandered through the forest, my eyes scanning the trees for any sign of life, I spotted a cottage in the distance. It was small and quaint, with smoke curling up from the chimney.
Something about it drew me closer, and I quickened my pace until I reached the door.I knocked hesitantly, my heart racing as I waited for a response. After a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing a woman with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. She regarded me with suspicion, and I stumbled over my words in an attempt to introduce myself.
"Um, hi," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "My name is Lily, and I was just exploring the forest when I saw your cottage. I was wondering if you needed any help with anything?"
The woman - Anabelle, I later learned - continued to eye me warily, as if trying to determine whether or not I could be trusted. After a few tense moments, she finally spoke.
"I don't need any help," she said curtly. "But if you must know, I live alone here in the forest. I prefer my solitude."
I was taken aback by her response, but something about her intrigued me. She seemed to carry an air of mystery with her, and I couldn't help but wonder what secrets she was hiding.
"Okay," I said, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. "Well, it was nice meeting you. Maybe I'll see you around?"
With that, I turned to leave, feeling a twinge of regret that I hadn't been able to make a connection with the enigmatic woman in the forest.
But as I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Anabelle than met the eye. And I was determined to find out what it was.
YOU ARE READING
The Forest Beckons
Paranormal"The Forest Beckons" is a young adult fantasy novel about a teenage girl named Lily who lives in a small village bordering a mysterious forest. Lily is a curious and adventurous girl who has always been drawn to the forest, but she's been warned to...
