Kneeling down at the end of a creaky wooden dock I drag the tip of my fingers against the surface of the crystal still water. A slight breeze rolls across the moon-illuminated water causing gentle ripples to make their way to shore. I shiver a moment before clasping my sweater across my chest and slipping my shoes off. I hesitantly dangle my feet toward the water before dipping a toe in. A small breath shifts from my lips as I plunge them deep into the chilled black night. The cool water races to chill my feet as I lean back to gaze upon the full moon. Crystal Lake became a shimmering beacon of moonlight every night and yet its purity was shielded by the moat of thick woods surrounding the coast. The faint glimmer of a flame pollutes the potent navy void surrounding me. I gaze across the lake and kick my feet in the water sending deeper ripples across the water.
The tip of a bell tower peaking over the forest surrounding me rings a somber chime.
"That's odd"
I think to myself.
"Normally it doesn't ring until morning."
Silence coats the region once more save the gentle ripples lapping against the dock. I glance back toward the faint light across the lake to find it missing. Scanning the horizon my eyes connect with a similar glow now making its way toward the lakeside on my right. My heart skips a beat a moment, concerned about who or what may hold this light.
As the glow grows closer I begin drying my feet and slipping my shoes back on. My eyes cannot move away from the torch coming closer and closer. A mysterious figure forms from the ether of the trees ever so slightly lit by the wayward flame. I stand and begin taking steps toward land, my pace only increasing with every approaching moment. Until our paths collide at the edge of the dock.
"What were you thinking... You shouldn't have come out so far from the palace. It's dangerous in these woods"
Judgments fly through my head as I tremble prepared to make an escape. As I eye the sodden wooded trail away, the figure steps into the moonlight, illuminating his face. A twisted wrinkled nose casts a shadow against his chin before he pulls the torch closer.
"What are you doing out here so late M'Lady?"
His breath reeked of cloves and winter spices sullen in a red-stained mouth of mulled wine. The hunch made a stark contrast to the straight arrow trees surrounding the forest around us. A man twisted by ages of isolation and darkened woods.
"W-what... What do you want?"
"It isn't safe. Things happen in these forests you couldn't even dream up."
"I think I'm just fine on my own. After all, there's never a guard too far away."
Nervously, my eyes shift around hoping to see any other sign of life. Off in the distance, the tower chimes once more and a much closer horse whinnies in the distance.
"M'Lady, please... Come with me. It's not safe. But luckily I know the path to safety."
My eyes interlock with the path, a very ambitious exit considering I've been slowly stepping back into the dock. It hits me I've been isolating myself further as the twisted old man steps closer and closer to me. Another chime, louder this time, and somehow the surrounding world felt to come alive at once. Suddenly a blast echoes across the lake startling me as I look up toward the bell tower now glowing from beneath. Tufts of smoke go up painting away the stars one by one.
"Things... Things are happening."
A boney hand clasps my shoulder as my attention is pulled away toward the bell tower. Before there is even a moment to scream the hand covers my mouth and he drags me back toward the forest. I am able to break free and sprint toward the dimly lit pathway darkening from the smoke that clouds over the moon. A sleeve of my sweater catches against a tree and rips a small hole in it, grazing my skin slightly. I wince from pain as I continue my full sprint through the woods.