The forest was silent to my ears no matter how much I strained it, not a single insect buzzing or animals calling for one another able to be heard. Only leaves rustling as they were blown by the wind, and those surely were a normal phenomenon.
My throat felt dry as I gulped my saliva down, feeling my heart beating just a little too fast. I could no longer hear the voice in front of me, that giggling laugh that seemed to encourage me to walk more, without worry of what I left behind. Even though I could no longer hear it, surely it meant it was safe to go deeper? And yet I couldn't be so sure, the memories of the villagers warning me still fresh in my ears as they repeated it over and over every time I walked out.
"Dear, the village isn't as safe as the city, don't go too deep into the forest..."
"The Faes won't take your existence kindly."
"Or... the Witch. They both dwell deep in the forest, and you better try to avoid both of them."
Oh.
Oh.
I had followed a mysterious laughter. This... This was bad, wasn't it? Fear started to worm its way into my heart as I turned about, ready to try finding my way out. And yet I could see nothing, merely such a thick forest I couldn't even spy the sky from within. Turning my head back to where I was walking, I could see the rough, and yet still see-able path.
Bad to worse for sure. This whole thing screamed 'trap' so hard I didn't know who expected it to be able to catch anyone. And yet, here I was, about to continue the trap because I knew if I walked back now I would be even more horribly lost.
Going back meant I would have to brave the forest, and see if they would be helpful... and the chill I could still feel on my back I had a lot of doubts. So I had only one choice, and it would be to see whoever set this whole trap--whether it was whoever that laughter's owner was, or maybe even the Witch. I had no idea which, but I still lifted my foot up, ready to start moving to wherever the path would bring me to.
The sound of laughter could be heard again, high and tinkling like a bell. A sweet sound, and yet it wasn't like before. I let my body follow it automatically, without much input from my thoughts. The owner should be a woman like me, especially since I never once heard a man ever have that kind of laughter. They were more likely to be boisterous or deep. Or they would have appeared in front of my eyes, laughing cruelly while stalking closer--
Ugh. Even the thought of those leers made my body shiver. Shaking those thoughts out, I noticed that I had finally arrived at a sort of... clearing. Trees still surrounded the area all around, but I could see a beautiful lake, its water reflecting the wonder of the sky, and a small hut near its side.
I wished to run, but with my thoughts still running all around, I kept myself still. First I had to find out the source of the laughter, then... then what? I didn't know, but I could ponder that after this. For a moment I briefly pondered why I thought it was so important to find her out, but that was easily justified. That was the whole reason I went here after all, and going back without even finding out would be stupid manoeuvre for me. And I wasn't stupid, no sirree.
So, instead of going away like some parts of me insisted on doing, I slowly inched myself forward. Angling my head here and there, I tried to find the source--and there it was, my eyes catching a little shine. I just needed to walk further, away from the relative safety of the tree towards the more open area.
From afar, I could see a twinkle of something, of glitters that continued to move, my head bobbing left and right with every movement. Was that the Fae I heard so much of? I had no idea, but I let myself be beckoned, the sound of a ringing bell coming in my ears.
Each foot came forward easier than the last, the apprehensiveness, the worry I had before melting away with every step. And then I was there, near the edge of the lake and the little Fae just bobbing her body, her wings fluttering behind her so wonderfully. I barely noticed her pink hair, the white dress. No, I just looked at the way she was moving.
Left. Right. Sparkles. Left. Right...
My eyes focused upon them, each mote of light making me twitch just so I could look at them. To concentrate...
Time ceased its meaning, my mind only able to see what was there in front of me. My head too, moved like the lights, and my thoughts felt all sloshy. When I followed them to the left, I felt like I would only be able to let my head fall to my left shoulder. But then the lights moved to the right, and I couldn't help but let my head lolled towards my right.
