Well, you wanted to be a writer...

As The Prophecy Foretold...

Once a long time ago in an alternate universe, a girl stood at the brink of normalcy and the fantastic. She only vaguely knew this of course. She knew she wasn't supposed to go in. It was all her parents would tell her.

"Don't go into the Yellowing Woods". She knew why. Anyone who looked at the woods would know why. It was a line of trees that seemed to reach the end of the world. They were always decaying, in a constant state of magical fall. Golden leaves shining in the sun, casting an ethereal glow on the place. And the animals... gods the animals. If you stared long enough you would spot an animal run into the woods, whether it be mouse, rabbit, or bird. Once they entered the tree line and went out of sight... well, you wouldn't see them again. The Yellowing woods were a golden trap. You go in, you don't come out. It was a law in her town. Don't go in. Don't go in. Don't go in.

Yet here the little one was. At barely five years old one would expect her to have a guardian, a parent watching her. But momma was at home, on bed rest from the pregnancy. Poppa was at work creating sturdy chairs and tables to sell to passing merchants. The merchants never seemed to care about buying though. Only selling. Money had become real tight in the family.

Of course, the little girl didn't know this. All she knew was that she was hungry, her momma was hungry, her poppa was hungry, and the little baby inside momma would be hungry. She didn't want them to be hungry. It made sense to the little girl. You go in, you don't come out. That meant she would be gone. What food was there would end up going to the baby, to Momma, to Poppa. All she had to do was leave. Bye-bye.

With that thought, the girl went into the woods. As she stepped through the treeline it seemed as things changed. Noise from the outside world diminished, quieting the further she walked in. She followed a path as it wound around the trees. At one point the young girl looked behind her, but by then she seemed unable to find the path. So she continued on. The day wore on and the girl walked deeper into the forest. While she could not really see the sun directly, the canopy was too thick, she could feel the air chill and the dappled sunlight dim. Right before it turned dark the young girl stumbled upon a river where berries seemed to grow. The river looked invitingly cool and the berries were nice and plump. For the first time since she had entered the woods that morning, she felt safe. Welcome. Happy.

As the young girl sat by the river's edge, eating the berries, she watched the wildlife descend. Every animal she had witnessed entering seemed to arrive at the river. The sounds of the birds chirping and frogs croaking lulled the girl into a half-sleep. She rested somewhat as the night continued on, untile to wake up suddenly in the bright silver moonlight. She looked around to find what appeared to be a goddess gliding along the water.  She slid up to the girl, moth like wings unfurling as she approached.  The high fry, for that was what she was, peered at the human child and spoke.  It was not common, but it did not matter.  Those eyes black as the darkest night and just as dangerous said it all.

"What is your wish?"  The little girl did not think for long.  In truth she made a wish any young girl would make in their place.  A foolish one, an earnest one, an innocent one.

"I wish to be magic so I can help like you!"  The high fey stared at her.

"You do not understand what you take on child.  But you will.  I shall grant you your wish.  If it is magic you seek it is magic you shall receive."

The little girl would never remember much of what happened after.  It would come it bits and pieces. Chaos flooding in her, setting the river on fire, talking to animals, dreaming of a wooden mask, and then finally waking up a week later at the edge of the woods with her neither Elspeth running towards her.

"Zanetta?  Zanetta Dumein?  Is that you?  It is!  Oh the gods above Zanetta!  You are alive!  And free!  You escaped the yellowing woods!"  She had tears flowing freely down her face.

"Where's Momma?"  The girl asked blearily.  "I want my Momma!"  The woman sighed and pulled the girl close into a hug.

"I'm sorry Etta.  I tried my best.  But they left.  They left to be with you... but don't worry!  You are alive and free from that... that... that poopy hole!  You are free!"  Realization slowly dawned on her face.  Quieter now she whispered almost reverently "you are free.  It is as the prophecy foretold.  You are free.  You have returned.  You will save the world.  You Etta Dumein are the prophecy!  Oh gods above, the elders must know!  Oh hold on." 

At that she bowed down to the little child.  Her elder who had never once really listened to her for more than a minute now bowed as if she were a risen god.  Etta became more and more nervous.  She was not used to people caring for her.  Except for Momma and Poppa.  Momma.  Momma.

"I WANT MOMMA!"  With a scream she released all the emotions that had been building since she had entered the woods.  A blast of fire released from her fingertips burning a tree behind her.  Trembling Elspeth looked at the child.

"It is true.  You are the prophecy..."

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Video by: la vie bohemian