Raven Hills

Chapter 12

The first thing that I heard in the morning was the sound of the bushes shaking. This alerted me immediately and woke up hurriedly to check out what it was. I was ready to fight with anything with a knife held in my hand and my mouth, ready to use any sort of defence as well as attack spells that I had learned secretly. When I put out the barrier and approached the bushes, I was thrown aback by something or someone who had  stumbled on top of me.

I touched my head which was ringing q bit along with my back which was now against the ground, hurt. I was groaning a bit when the person above me immediately stood up with the support of the ground. I opened my eyes slowly which were under attack by a heavy bundle of hair, it seemed, and then ai saw her, a beautiful young girl. She appeared to be younger than me, I presumed and she looked a bit startled.

When I gestured for her help to get up, she seemed baffled for a bit but then she held my hand and helped to stand up. She was looking at me with curious eyes while I too was quite curious as not only was she alone in the woods but she was also wearing some extremely old-fashioned dress. I mean like the ones worn during the time periods of when kingdoms existed.

After a couple of minutes of awkward silence, I kinda cleared my throat to catch her attention and then asked her.

Um... So, who are you? And like, why are you in the woods alone? It's really dangerous for a young girl or rather a lady as dignified like you to be travelling alone.

I tried my hardest to not sound rude but I guess I did sound rude as she didn't respond. So, I just left her to stand in the earlier area and went inside the cave to pack up my necessities. While packing, I noticed that my water was almost gone soI needed to search for a water source at first. Then after that I needed to cross the forest today, no matter what.

When I went out, I saw the girl again but then I thought that it was best to just ignore her as I also needed to search for Lizzie. But as soon as I started to walk to another direction, she also started to follow me behind. When I stopped and told her to go away, she didn't listen to it and just followed me. Without finding any alternatives to get rid of her, I just sighed and let her be. I mean, she didn't seem dangerous to me at all.

It seemed I had been walking for a long time as the sun was now bright in the sky and I was covered with sweat and all. It felt disgusting, but I didn't have the time to waste. When after resting for a bit I started to walk again, I felt something pulling my jacket, and when I turned around, I saw that the girl was holding my jacket and pointing towards a particular direction.

At first, I found it wierd but then as I followed her index finger pointing towards a direction, I could hear the trickle of water and as suspected, I found it. A water fall and a clean stream to bathe amd refill my energy. I hurriedly ran towards it and opened my clothes to wash myself, after filling my bottle with water. A water flowing was chilling and felt amazingly fresh.

As I enjoying my bath in the stream I heard a sigh. And then I heard her voice for the first time.

Um.... My name is Agnes Laurier. Since the moment I woke up, I have been in the forest.

After hearing her answer, I just nodded without turning back and then she continued.

I originate from a place that is too far away from here and you are the first person that I have encountered in the forest. And so, to this, I would like to ask you, can you see me?

At first, I thought she was just jocking to lighten the mood and so I was just about to laugh it off but when I turned around to see her face, she seemed to be dead serious. So, even though I found her question wierd and confusing, I just replied assertively and to that, she smiled in the most genuine manner. And somehow, I felt relief and content.