NAMU: Guardian of the forest

다섯

Midnight Lullaby

EunAe hasn't visited the forest ever since that day, spending her time focused on her studies instead.

There is still much she has to learn now that she is living far away from the city.

Everything works differently in the country side, but she is excited to learn new things and adapt. Hopefully soon she will be able to get started on her project.

Being that it is a hot summer day, EunAe's goes outside to study, enjoying the slight breeze the day offers. There is no air conditioning here but this will have to do. Her leg dangles from the wooden platform as she reads, becoming too absorbed in her studies to notice anything else.

Time passes by in a blur and by the time she knows it, the sun is sinking in the horizon. But it is only when the crickets begin to chirp that EunAe notices how late it is.

When did it get so late?

As she collects her things, the girl tilts her head as she hears a soft melody play, the tune making her rise to her feet.

It seems to be coming from the forest.

Could it be him? She wonders, already on the move.

Going into the forest in the middle of the night is definitely not the best idea, but the girl is too intrigued by the melody to care.

She can't place her finger on it, but something about it makes her feel safe. Almost as if it's drawing her in. Inviting her to follow.

The forest is quiet and tranquil, barely illuminated by anything except for the pale moonlight shining above, it's pure light coming and going as clouds roll by.

As she reaches the river, she stops in her tracks when she spots the guardian, quickly hiding behind a tree.

Peeking her head out slightly to the side, she evens her breath, trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to be noticed.

There he is, peacefully resting on the rocks, small lights floating into the air as he blows on his bamboo flute.

The melody is soft and calm, and she can tell by the way he plays that it has a special meaning, or perhaps a story behind it.

Even the trees seem to enjoy the melody, gently rocking their foliage from side to side.

EunAe doesn't know how long she stays and watches, but the scenery in forest is unlike anything she has ever seen before. It's as if the forest is coming alive.

And then, in the blink of an eye, everything stops as the girl accidentally steps on a branch, the snapping, crunching sound echoing through the trees.

Oh no.

If he didn't before, now he definitely knows that she is here.

Without giving it a second thought, the girl turns around and rushes back home, hoping to remember her way through the darkness.

Somehow, by some miracle or luck, she manages to make it home safe and unharmed, the girl sliding her back against the door as she sits on the floor.

That was close.

Rushing to her feet, she locks the doors and turns all the lights off, quickly heading to bed soon after.

Hopefully she didn't mess up. Again. She really needs to stop wandering into the forest.

With a shake of her head, the girl turns on her back and stares at the ceiling, her eyes slowly closing as the beautiful melody continues to play.

The next morning, EunAe wakes up with a yawn, arms extending above her messy hair, the sun shining through her window making her smile.

She hadn't slept this good in a while.

Was last night a dream? The note in her hand suggests otherwise.

She hadn't noticed it before but a small scroll rests in her palm, the girl raising a brow as she carefully unrolls it.

A surprised gasp escapes her lips as she reads the note, reading several times just to make sure she is not imagining things.

When that doesn't work, she closes her eyes and opens them again, just to make sure this isn't a dream.

It isn't.

The note is still there and it reads,

Come meet me at the forest.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed!
(2021.11.27)