the calling

Into the woods

She knew she shouldn't be out at this late of night. And especially going on a late night stroll through the Silver Birch Woods. But here she was, she could just make out the dilapidated sign of warning for the Silver Birch Woods just a few feet in front of her. Gathering her courage she started forward hoping to quench the stirring fluttering feeling she got in her gut every time she passed by the woods, the one she always tried to ignore. But tonight was different, tonight she finally decided to answer the calling of her soul. She could no longer ignore the dull ache in her chest. 
That's why earlier she had called and canceled on the plans with her boyfriend Jake, though she had felt bad when she'd heard his crestfallen voice on the other line. She gave some stupid excuse about not feeling good and then had told her parents that she had to study and to not bug her. She had stuffed some pillows under her blanket to form a sleeping shape should her parents come to check in on her, she emptied her backpack and filled it with with some snack food she'd snagged from the pantry earlier and a flashlight along with a bottle of water and the Silver pocket knife her boyfriend had given her last Christmas. She snuck out the window and and hoped on her bike and made her way to what she hoped would be her destiny. As she stepped into the woods she felt a deep warm thrilling feeling trickle through her bones. As she took her first steps she knew there was no turning back. Up ahead she could see the moon light beaming to one of the many paths in the woods she felt in her soul this was a path she was supposed to take so she followed it. She could hear all kinds of Critters running through as she walked.
She walked for what felt like miles and hours through the path until she came to a clearing surrounded by four old oak trees and a stump in the middle she felt hunger gnawing  on her stomach and so she sat down on the stump and opened her backpack to grab one of the many granola bars she'd packed. While opening it she heard a strange noise. Was that someone walking by. No no one else would be out in the Forrest at this time of night she chided herself as she began to eat. But sure enough only minutes later someone walked towards her in the grove of trees.
Though he didn't seem to notice her. She could just make out the tall figure in the moonlight. He was tall and had long almost silvery hair. He wore a strange blueish black cloak. He had a strong build not muscly but not skinny either. He looked as if he'd just walked out of a fairy tale. So gracefully elegant he looked almost other worldly. If only she knew how right she was. He seemed to be looking for something but dejectedly he turned and sat against one of the oak trees. Pulling out a flask that seemed to be made of some sort of crystal he began to drink. Layla didn't know if she should make her presence known or not. But that thought was soon swept away as a strange creature darted past her on the stump and right into the strangers lap. He seemed surprised and delighted at the return of his companion but then stopped as the creature stared to make make a weird gutteral warbling sound almost as if it was trying to communicate then he smiled and tilted his head seeming to understand the creature perfectly. She felt as if she was seeing something she shouldn't. So as quietly as she could she tried to stand up to leave but accidently stepped on a twig the snap sounding like a bullet ricocheting through the trees and winced as the stranger turned in her direction. Noticing her for the first time. An alarmed look swept across his face for barely a second before he gathered the creature and stuffed it under his cloak and stood up. She froze scared of what might happen next as the figure walked towards her.