Sixty-Second Dark Fairy Tales

Rain of Shadows

In a kingdom gripped by drought, Lina stumbled upon a hidden well nestled deep in the forest, its ancient stone rim covered in moss. The villagers spoke in hushed tones of its mystical powers, rumors swirling like dust in the dry wind. Desperate to save her withering village, Lina clasped her hands around the rough edge of the well and whispered her wish for rain. Miraculously, dark clouds gathered on the horizon, swirling ominously before unleashing a torrential downpour. The villagers rejoiced, their parched faces turning skyward as raindrops danced on the cracked earth, breathing life back into the wilted crops. Yet, beneath the surface of newfound hope, a sinister shadow lurked. Soon after the rain began to fall, a chilling fog crept over the village, and a mysterious illness spread like wildfire among the unsuspecting villagers. Lina's heart sank as she realized too late the dark truth: the well's water, though granting their wish for rain, was poisoned, its insidious touch bringing forth a devastating plague that tore through her beloved village.