The Twilight universe does not belong to me. For the sake of this story, Artemis will not be much older than Irina. I apologize for any mistakes in the text; English is not my native language.
Feel free to comment on what you thought of the chapter to let me know if you're interested in me continuing the story.
Thank you in advance, and good reading!
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The days at the farm were long and exhausting for Irina, an eleven-year-old girl with blond hair and light blue eyes, who lived with her father in a secluded corner of the world. Their meager crops and modest livestock were all that stood between them and famine. Irina's mother had abandoned them a few years ago, fleeing the monotony of farm life for the enticing lights of the city. Her bitter and disillusioned father silently blamed Irina, accusing her of being the cause of his misfortune.
Workdays started early for Irina. Farm life deprived her of her childhood, imposing tasks that were hardly suitable for a child her age. Her father, often withdrawn, cast reproachful glances at her every time they crossed paths. "It's because of you that your mother left," he would mutter at times, his rough voice carrying the weight of a resentment too heavy to bear.
One day, as the sun set behind the hills, leaving behind a palette of warm hues, Irina had to gather the livestock. The day had been particularly hot, and her modest clothes were covered in dried mud. Her hurried steps raised clouds of dust behind her as she walked determinedly toward the hills that housed the cows. The cows grazed peacefully in the pastures, oblivious to the harsh life that surrounded them. As Irina counted the heads, she realized one was missing. Panic seized her, knowing her father would be furious if one of their meager possessions disappeared.
The farm fences were often dilapidated, and a cow could easily find its way to the nearby forest. So, Irina ventured into the woods, hoping to find the runaway before nightfall. The task seemed simple, but in the forest, the tree shadows stretched deceptively, creating a natural labyrinth where it was easy to get lost. With naive yet courageous confidence, Irina plunged into the forest, ignoring the small voice that whispered a warning in the depths of her mind.
Time passed, and the sun began to set, casting a golden light through the leaves. Irina began to realize she had ventured farther than she had initially thought. The forest shadows thickened, creating a mysterious interplay of shapes and movements. The songs of daytime birds were replaced by the mysterious murmurs of the nocturnal inhabitants of the forest. Panic gripped her as she understood she was lost. A ball of anxiety knotted in her stomach, and her eyes welled with tears. "Find the farm, just find the farm," she whispered, trying to reassure herself.
The girl felt a shiver of apprehension that made her clench her fists. She stopped and listened, hoping to hear the distant mooing of a cow. But the only sound that reached her was the rustling of the wind through the leaves and the constant hum of the forest.
