FAR FROM THE WOOD

The house was dark when Alina stepped inside again.

The creak of the old front door echoed through the quiet house, She hesitated in the doorway, Her heart still raced from what Lucas had told her.

The woods were dangerous.

Her father was gone.

She was the center of a storm she never asked for.

And through all of it, her mother had tried to protect her.

Alina took a deep breath and stepped into the house, She found Marie sitting on the couch, curled up in a blanket, Her eyes wide with worry as she clutched a cold cup of tea.

When Marie saw her, she stood abruptly. “Alina thank God. I thought something happened where did you go? Are you hurt?”

Alina shook her head. “No, Mom. I’m okay.”

Marie rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her tightly, squeezing her like she was afraid Alina might vanish if she let go.

Alina let the warmth of her mother’s embrace sink in. She closed her eyes for a moment, resting her chin on Marie’s shoulder, then whispered:

“I’m sorry.”

Marie slowly pulled back. “What?”

“I’m sorry for yelling, For storming out. For blaming you when you were just trying to protect me. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

Marie’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t blame you sweetheart. You’ve been thrown into something no one should ever have to face. You had every right to ask questions, I was the one keeping you in the dark.”

Alina shook her head. “You did it because you were afraid. And now I understand why.”

She sat down on the edge of the couch, her voice soft but certain. “Something’s waking up in me. Something real And dangerous. I don’t understand it yet… but I want to try. And I want you to help me.”

Marie nodded slowly, lowering herself beside her daughter. “I will, I promise. We’ll face this together.

Alina’s throat tightened. “Mom?”

“Yes, baby?”

“I saw him again. The man from the dreams. His name is Lucas. He told me to stay away from the woods.”

Marie stiffened, her expression hardening. “He’s real?”

Alina nodded. “He’s not like the others. He’s different. He knew Dad, He’s trying to protect me. But he says something is coming and that if I go near the woods again, I’ll be putting myself in danger.”

Marie’s face paled. “Then you must stay away. Promise me.”

Alina took a shaky breath.

Then she nodded.

“I promise, Mom. I won’t go near the woods again.”

Marie’s arms wrapped around her once more. This time, tighter.

“I can’t lose you, Alina,” she whispered.

“You won’t,” Alina said, a sudden steel forming in her voice. “Not again.”

They stayed that way for a long time, holding on to each other like the calm before the storm.

~~~~

The next morning passed in silence.

Alina sat by her bedroom window, Her chin resting in her palm. Her eyes didn’t leave the woods.

Not even for a second.

She had kept her promise, no more stepping into the woods. But nothing in the promise said she couldn’t look or wait.

She didn’t know what to expect.

A voice? A rustle in the branches? Another dream?

Maybe Lucas wouldn’t come.

Maybe he couldn’t.

But she knew he’d said something that stayed with her.

“You’ll feel it... the shift.”

She didn’t know what the shift was.

But she was starting to feel something now.

Something strange in her chest a tug, a pull, a kind of ache that had nothing to do with fear. It was familiar in a way that terrified her. Like something ancient inside her was recognizing him before her mind had even caught up.

Why does he feel so... close?

Why do I miss him already, when I barely know him?

It didn’t make sense.

She pushed her fingers through her hair and stood up, pacing back and forth the room.

She needed him to explain things first.

She needed answers.

And maybe... just maybe... she needed him.

Her thoughts spiraled, twisting around images of his silver white hair, those glowing eyes, the way his voice sank into her skin like heat.

She didn’t know who she was becoming. But she knew he had something to do with it.

She stepped back to the window, her eyes scanning the edge of the woods.

Nothing Still.

Until... A shadow moved between the trees.

Her heart skipped.

She leaned forward, her eyes wide.

The wind shifted suddenly, brushing her face through the open pane and she could smell him.

Not cologne, Not sweat. But the strange, earthy scent that clung to him. Pine, smoke, and something ancient and wild.

Her breath caught.

And then... A soft thud.

She turned, He was standing on the porch.

Lucas.

Like he had been summoned by her thoughts.

Like he had been there all along.

Alina froze.

And outside, Lucas raised his hand to knock then paused.

As if he, too, was feeling the pull.

The silence between them was louder than any words.

And something told her…This visit would change everything.