Hidden Tales, The Diary of Agatha

THE DIARY AND THE DIFFUSER NECKLACE

It was already near dusk in a forest shrouded in mist. The birds weren't heard much at that time of day, although, anyway, neither they nor the other animals usually made their presence known in the surroundings.

But how could they be judged if not even the villagers dared to venture into that place? Well, most of them, since the fear was so great. Still, there was someone who felt comfortable walking there.

Who am I...?

A young woman wondered as she walked, touching the branches of the trees she passed.

Why don't I remember?

She breathed in the fresh air, filling her lungs.

An enigma... A mystery...

A secret that has been hidden from me...

As she stopped walking, she closed her eyes, which were as beautiful as the ocean's waters, feeling the wind's breath blow her black hair back.

"It seems like it's going to get dark soon." Slowly, she opened her eyes and observed the surroundings of that forest. If it were someone else, they would surely be lost; however, she knew the area well, not straying too far from her home. I won't say that such a disaster never happened, but, for some reason, the whispers of the wind guided her when needed, not leaving her stranded.

When she arrived home, she knocked on the wooden door, which was rotting with time, and waited for a response. She knew she would be in trouble that night since her guardian forbade her from wandering through the dark woods. But what could she do? It was there where she felt free... It was there where she knew she could be herself.

She was hastily pulled in by the old lady, who grabbed her wrist with those hands cold as ice. She was annoyed, as expected, with a large wooden spoon in her other hand. After that, she quickly closed the door and turned her gaze to the young girl, crossing her arms and tapping her foot lightly on the floor:

"Where were you?"

The girl stayed quiet, like she always did, thinking of an answer that wouldn't make her guardian any angrier. She wasn't one to lie, but she couldn't see any other way than to tell the woman what she wanted to hear.

"Come on, answer me!" she called her attention again. She hated that delay more than anything. "Where were you?"

"I was walking around the village, Mrs. Clerence..." She couldn't look at the other woman, staring at the floor while holding her arm.

"And what are those burrs on your dress skirt?" She pointed the wooden spoon at them. "As far as I know, they don't let those pests grow in the village."

"Oh!" She finally looked at her face. "It's just... I needed to think a little, Mrs. Clerence."

"And for that, you decided to walk through that horrible forest again?" She furrowed her brows. "And on top of that, you tried to deceive me? What's this, girl? Where do you think you'll get by lying like that?"

"I'm sorry..."

"You should apologize to yourself, ungrateful girl. You could end up dead! Assaulted! Kidnapped! Enslaved!" She sighed heavily when she saw the younger one remained silent, turning and walking to the large cauldron while continuing to speak: "Now go wash up. Dinner is almost ready."

"Of course, Mrs. Clerence."

It wouldn't be strange to think that you probably had a bad first impression of Ashley's guardian, and I don't blame you for that. After all, who wouldn't, right? However, she wasn't as bad as she seemed. An older woman, with a life full of experiences, whether good or terrible... She knew what she was talking about, and she had promised an old friend many years ago that she would take care of the little one.