Where the Woods Call

The Encounter

Practically blind with nothing else to make out but the silhouettes of trees and moonlight-traced leaves. I am drawn to the faint sound of a melody, a distant lullaby from a time I could not well describe. I continue walking blindly, my hands outstretched before me. I struggle to keep my balance in a world colored with a whirl of blue and black. Nothing but the familiar music to guide me like a string to a puppet.

As the sound grew louder, I saw a hint of light beyond a canopy of trees and as I got closer, the light had broken into orbs floating ever so lightly. Fireflies? - is what first came to mind. There it is, the source of the haunting music that aroused my curiosity.

Beneath the tangle of branches and leaves, I saw a boy playing the flute before a great, ancient-looking Balete tree. His hands angled beautifully as he played. The moonlight reflected on his hair formed a bluish silver halo above his jet-black curls. His eyes were half-open, a glint of silver irises partly exposed, and he had a face that of an angel's. His chest was bare and his skin was pale, almost porcelain-looking, and touched by the slightest of yellow that came from the orbs around him. The fireflies danced, beguiled by the mysterious music.

Just as I drew closer, a twig snapped under my feet. That's when I realized I have been walking on my bare feet and I now have caught his attention. He stared at me with a bewildered look yet he did not say a thing.

"I uhh.. you see, I just heard the music, and well.." I am at a loss for words. Even if this situation is so strange, I can't help but feel apologetic. He looked to be about 18 or so. To me, nothing is more awkward than confronting a peer of the opposite sex.

His gaze was fixed on me. Moments later, it's like I saw a flash of recognition in his eyes and maybe a hint of a smile before he started to speak.

"These fireflies glow because they carry the souls of the deceased. I guide them with my music as they pass to another world." He reached out his hand and one of the orbs landed on his finger, twinkling.

"By tomorrow, these insects will lose their glow and they too shall pass away." He added.

I couldn't quite digest what he was saying but from the looks of it, he believed every bit of it. Is he crazy? Or am I hallucinating?

"I don't understand," I reply.

"I guess you might never understand." He said in a snarky tone.

From the other side of the tree, a girl came out. Her hair was long and she wore folk patterned clothing that matches the boy's. It also revealed much of her skin that appeared to be red in complexion but both of them possess the same ethereal beauty.

"You're asking for trouble, aren't you? It's best not to associate yourself with humans." She said to the boy in a firm commanding tone.

The boy walked toward me and said in a low voice. "It's a pleasure to see you again." My vision blurred as he said these words.