Willowwood Forest

Chapter 4

I looked up, half-expecting to see something monstrous lurking in the shadows—honestly, it would've fit the vibe of the forest. But no, it was just Aspen. Her yellow tie stuck out like a sore thumb, reminding me that I still had no idea what she even did around here.

"What do you want?" I narrowed my eyes. "Why'd you follow me out here?"

She shifted on her feet, fiddling with her hair, which was tied in a bun. "I'm looking for answers."

"What kind of answers?"

"I'm... changing. Like you." Aspen tugged at her hair, and I saw it. Her dark blonde hair from before? Gone, replaced by something too bright, almost gold. It didn't belong in the woods. The snake around my neck stirred, its head moving toward the sudden flash of light.

I froze. A chill ran down my spine, but I shook it off. "You're freaking out over your hair growing out? You'll be fine just cutting it if it's that bad."

Aspen's eyes widened, her voice shaky. "No! You saw me at the dining hall yesterday. This isn't how my hair's supposed to look. What's going on?"

I sighed. "I already told you. Spending too much time here messes with you."

"Is three weeks too much?" Her voice was strained, desperate.

"Judging by your hair, yeah." I shrugged, fiddling with the snake as it slithered up my arm.

Aspen kept tugging at her hair, clearly trying to keep it together. "And there's no way to fix it?"

"Leaving the forest. Probably."

"Probably?!" She seemed more frantic now.

"I wouldn't know," I muttered.

She stopped and looked up at me, pausing her frantic movements. "What did you say?"

I froze, my body tightening. "Nothing. Anyway, is that all you needed?"

After the words left my mouth, I stood there, feeling the weight of silence settle. A knot twisted in my stomach. I barely knew her—there was no reason to let her in, not now. The snake curled up in my arms. I scratched its head, trying to distract myself. It flicked its tongue at me, and I didn't pull away. It was cold and soothing.

Aspen's voice broke through. "Why won't you tell me more? You know something, don't you? Don't act like this is normal! You know this isn't normal!"

I flinched at her outburst. Clenching my jaw, I snapped, "What else do you want me to say? That this is all some bad dream you'll wake up from? That one day you'll be fine again?"

Aspen's eyes widened, but I didn't stop. "No one knows what happens out here. Not even me. You'll have to figure it out yourself."

She stepped back, her hands falling from her hair. "You don't have to be so cold, Paige. The more you act like that, the less people will want to talk to you."

I felt something twist inside, but I didn't let it show. "Then don't talk to me," I said flatly.

Her hair was different, that was obvious. But there was something else about her, too. Her eyes—they were sharper now, more focused. Like the forest had some way of pulling people in, changing them. I couldn't tell if it was good or bad, but I didn't care to know.

I turned away from her, not wanting to let this conversation continue any longer.

I heard Aspen in the distance, but I blocked her out. I didn't need to hear more. I'd already done enough damage.

I pushed forward, my mind already somewhere else. Moments like this—messing up these stupid conversations—kept gnawing at me. I'd accepted that fact. Why was it still bothering me?

My hands tightened around the snake, grounding myself with the coolness of its body. It flicked its tongue at my finger before coiling up my arm again, its movements slow and comforting.

"I don't need anyone," I muttered to the snake, or maybe just to myself. I never had. Not after everything. It looked up at me with confused eyes

But why had Aspen followed me? Why couldn't she just mind her own business?

I didn't need people getting in the way. It wasn't that hard.

My footsteps echoed louder than usual as I walked down the path, but it didn't feel like they were mine. It was like someone was a step behind me, matching me.

The snake shifted again, its muscles tightening, and I felt the tension in its body. It was ready. I quickly looked around, I had already ditched Aspen. No one else was in the area.

"I'm not going crazy," I whispered, more to reassure myself than anything. "I'm not. Nothing's wrong. Right?"

Heading out of the wooded area, I made my way to the cabins. Near the dining halls were lined rows of small houses for the workers. They were a bit bigger than sheds if I were being honest. I didn't mind however. The only purpose one would have a cabin is just to sleep, change clothes, and use the bathroom.

I was silent on my way to the cabin, trying to shake off what had just transpired. I didn't want to admit it, but I knew it was true. The forest wasn't just changing Aspen.

It had already changed me, too.