Thalia found her daily gathering wander had taken her further afield than usual today. It was as if an undecidable force was pulling her to the swamps she usually steered clear of. No matter the time of day, the area was permanently cast in shadow. This was mostly thanks to the overhanging weeping willow trees whose branches stretched far and low, creating a curtain of dangling limbs in which to trap unknowing young drifters. The usually weary girl was drawn in by the alluring sight of plump and promising mushrooms. Thalia brushed a leaf-weighted branch to the side and pushed through into a clearing.
Immediately, the young human girl was enamoured by the sight before her. In the clearing, more light pierced through the trees, creating glistening spotlights. Thriving in the sunlight was a bountiful mushroom patch. Thalia didn't hesitate to hitch her skirts and begin gathering. She didn't stop to think how bizarre it was that such a variety of edible fungi was so conveniently gathered in one easy-to-traverse, visible opening. An oddity she would've been more cautious of had it not been for the hypnotising spores that had been affecting her since the moment she stepped foot into the swamp.
As soon as her pale hand cupped a troop of earthy brown mushrooms, the illusion cleared and she suddenly realised she was clasping at empty air. Thalia stood up with urgency but by the time she had recognised her mistake, it was too late. She turned to run but found her legs entangled in unnaturally sturdy vines. They wrapped around each leg, slithering up under her dress and constricting around her thighs. Another set seemingly with a consciousness of their own located her arms and quickly had them bound behind her back.
The vines collectively lifted her off the ground, creating a hammock-like cradle in which she was suspended. The more she struggled, the tighter the vines became. One went around her middle, squeezing the breath from her. Then, the creature responsible revealed itself. With hair as long as the willow branches, and skin as dark as the bark on the trees, the dryad was as beautiful as nature itself. On her skin sprouted moss and other living organisms - thriving symbiotically. With a simple flick of her dainty wrist, the creature commanded the vines holding Thalia to bring the girl closer.
The girl had been stunned into silence this whole time. Barely a wheeze could escape her parted lips. Elevated by their own set of vines, the dryad moved elegantly around the girl, examining her captured prey
"What do we have here?" She spoke, her voice like a whisper of wind through the trees.
Thalia couldn't manage a response. Internally, she commanded the creature to release her at once. But nothing audible was produced. The dryad went on with its exploration, a damp hand caressing the human girl's face. When a finger with the texture of moss ran over her bottom lip, Thalia just about mustered a whine of distress.
"A new toy I wonder?" The dryad mused, a mischievous glint lighting up her marshy eyes.