The autumn air carried a gentle warmth, embracing Willow as she treaded carefully across the yard. The soft leather moccasins on her feet whispered with each step, mingling with the faint crackle of fallen leaves. Time was slipping away, the days growing shorter, but she couldn't resist savoring the sun's touch, the caress of the wind, and the expanse of the blue sky while they still lingered. Though her pace was unhurried, there wasn't much distance to cover, and soon she found herself standing before a hastily constructed building. It stood at an odd angle, attached to a larger barn that served as a sanctuary for animals and storage.

Before stepping inside, she paused to take in her surroundings. The autumn air carried the sound of leaves, ablaze in red and gold, rustling as they danced with the wind. They cascaded from the sky, transforming the once green landscape into a vibrant tapestry of colors that blanketed the farm. The barn, a sanctuary for the animals and shelter for the tractor, stood before her. Inside, a chorus of creaking and scraping announced her arrival as Willow swung open the door.

As she entered, she scattered the soaked grain on the floor, meticulously counting her flock of hens - twenty-two in total, with a couple of roosters strutting about. The room echoed with the clamor of animals knowing they would be feed next and the scurrying and pecking of the chicken, each vying for the best position. Amidst the chaos, Willow swiftly moved, her hands deftly working to fill food troughs and water containers from the many buckets she hauled in.

With the other tasks completed, she turned her attention to the secret nooks and crannies where the chickens loved to lay their eggs. It felt like a never-ending Easter egg hunt, albeit not as joyous. Still, she cherished the presence of her animal companions, considering them to be her closest friends. But if it weren't for the necessity of the eggs for food, she wouldn't have bothered searching for them at all.

Willow was captivated by the enchanting tales of her mother's childhood. It seemed like a realm filled with fairies and magic, where one could find any food imaginable at the market, even fresh strawberries in the midst of December. Traveling between places was a breeze, thanks to the marvelous machines called cars, and people would even walk for the sheer joy of it. Her mother had grown up on a hobby farm, where the success of your garden and the productivity of the chickens truly didn't matter. These stories from the past held an irresistible allure for Willow, although they seemed almost too extraordinary to be true.

She often daydreamed about what it would be like to live in that fantastical era when machines took care of most of the work. While they still had a tractor, Willow watched it in awe as it roared to life a couple of times a year, feeling like an act of pure magic. The tractor's purpose was to plow the earth and harvest the hay each season. How her father managed to create the fuel for it remained a mystery to her, somewhat similar to the process of making alcohol for tinctures, yet distinct in its own enigmatic way.

The changes that had occurred over time puzzled Willow. Nobody seemed to discuss it with children, leaving her with a multitude of unanswered questions. What had driven people to abandon the cities, and where had they all gone? The fate of the tractors and other marvelous machines that once thrived remained a mystery to her. Nevertheless, she found solace in the fact that they still had electric lights. Thanks to her resourceful dad, who had discovered and installed solar panels, they were spared the need to rely on candles like their neighbors.

In the depths of her imagination, Willow longed to uncover the secrets of this bygone era, where magic seemed to mingle effortlessly with the everyday. She also heard whispers of sorrowful stories of fighting, sickness, and loss. When she had first overheard adults talking in low voices about the plague, they call the Seven or the Seven Deadly Ills, sleep eluded her until the wee hours of the morning.

Willow was at that awkward age, caught between childhood and adulthood. Her golden hair cascaded down to her waist, framing her soft round face and deep gray eyes. She was slender and tall, like a delicate twig. Though young, she possessed a wisdom that surpassed her years. She also had a vibrant imagination, often escaping to a different time in her mind. Unlike most girls her age, Willow preferred jeans to skirts and dresses. She didn't conform to societal expectations. Today, she grabbed a stack of woven bags and headed to the garden, her long hair swaying with each step. It was time to harvest the remaining root crops before the ground froze. The weather was unpredictable, but Willow's mother, Ali, didn't like to take chances. She wanted to ensure they had enough food for the winter, no matter what. As Willow worked in the garden, her mind wandered to the stories she had heard. She couldn't help but wonder if there was more to the world beyond her isolated existence.

She toiled diligently, her hands digging into the rich soil, filling bag after bag with freshly harvested potatoes. The earth clung to her fingers, a familiar sensation that brought comfort. These potatoes would make a delicious meal, she thought, contemplating whether to continue digging or take the sacks to the cellar first. As she ran her hand through the soil, searching for smaller seed potatoes, her fingers stumbled upon something unexpected. A small, peculiar stone lay nestled in the dirt. Willow picked it up, examining its shape and texture. She rubbed it against her skirt, marveling at how it gleamed under the sun's rays. The stone, about two inches in diameter, bore intricate carvings resembling the moon and a circle representing the sun? Before she could decipher the exact meaning behind the design, distant sounds interrupted her thoughts.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Swiftly, Willow reached for the leather bag hanging around her neck and carefully placed the stone inside. This bag held not only objects but also precious memories, each smooth stone a cherished token. Never before had she encountered a stone adorned with such intricate carvings.

The voices grew louder, and the sound of footsteps approached from down the road. Willow instinctively ducked behind the small tool shed, concealing herself while keeping a watchful eye on the approaching figures. It had been ages since anyone had ventured down their road. Normally, they would make the journey to their neighbors for a festive gathering and prayers during the full moon. Willow's heart yearned for her father's return, as he had gone to trade for supplies and had yet to come back. However, the absence of horses or a wagon indicated that it wasn't him. Concern etched across her face as she and her mother worried about his prolonged absence.

Peeking cautiously around the corner of the shed, Willow recognized their closest neighbor, Rolly, accompanied by two of his sons. Rolly, a rugged man with sandy hair and a patched coat, possessed a strength that seemed capable of taming even the wildest of beasts. His stern but fair demeanor commanded respect. Today, however, worry furrowed his brow, a rare sight indeed. Willow strained to recall the last time Rolly had left his farm, as he usually dispatched his sons for errands. Curiosity gnawed at her, wondering what could have brought them here. Her excitement grew when she spotted two of her friends among them, especially Zerin. Willow had known them since childhood, but her feelings for Zerin had blossomed into something deeper. The thought of him made her blush and her heart flutter. Tall, with dark hair and a sun-kissed complexion, Zerin possessed both intelligence and humor. They rarely had the chance to see each other, given the distance of over five miles between their farms. Willow eagerly embraced her friends, unable to contain her excitement. Then, she turned to Rolly and greeted him with a more mature gesture, briefly touching foreheads.

Willow darted towards the house, her heart racing, as the guests made their way up the path. Willow's face brightened with a smile every time she saw her mother. Her mother, Ali, possessed a simple beauty with an oval face, long reddish-brown hair, gray-green knowing eyes, and thin lips. Ali was truly the best person she knew, and her love for her mother was immeasurable. However, in the midst of the approaching winter and the impending snowy blanket that would cover the land, Ali was busy with the preparations. She was canning and drying various vegetables, fruits, and herbs, ensuring they would last throughout the cold season.

"Mum! Rolly and his sons, Zerin and Tye, are here!" Willow interrupted her mother's work, gasping for breath.

Ali set her work aside, removing the pot from the fire, wiping her hands on a cloth, slipping on her sandals, and swiftly making her way to gate where her visitors waited. She greeted each of them with a warm smile and an embrace, hugging them tightly and touching foreheads. Seeing Rolly reminded Ali that her husband had still not returned. She longed for his safe arrival, worrying about him, but feeling powerless in her ability to do anything. She considered searching for him herself, but leaving the farm meant leaving Willow alone to finish the harvesting, canning, and drying. Ali was concerned that her young daughter wasn't ready to be left alone for an unknown length of time. Furthermore, going out alone was not safe, even though it was relatively safer than before. Bandits and wild animals still posed a threat, requiring someone to watch your back.

Rolly handed Ali a basket and said, "A little gift from my wife for you and Willow."

Willow stood beside her mother, eagerly taking the basket and heading towards the house. She couldn't help but anticipate the delicious treats Raina, Rolly's wife, had prepared. However, her excitement to spend time with her friends made her turn back towards them. Zerin stood by her side, his beautiful brown eyes captivating her gaze. As Willow heard her mother invite Rolly inside for tea, she let out a sigh and proceeded to put water on the stove to boil. It had always been her responsibility, and it allowed her to eavesdrop on many adult conversations. Zerin followed her into the kitchen, with Tye trailing behind. Zerin mischievously snuck a taste of the jam Ali was preparing.

Willow placed her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at Zerin, who pretended innocence. "Are you here for tea?" Willow asked, a hint of amusement in her voice, "Or did you come in just to graze?"

Willow knew that when Zerin and Tye weren't working, they often found themselves causing trouble. They loved to tease and joke around. Willow doubted they had any genuine interest in tea.

Zerin raised an eyebrow and nodded towards the door. "Let's go check out the creek. I brought my fishing pole. Freshly caught fish would make a great dinner, don't you think?"

Rolly interjected, spreading his hands, and quietly asked, "Your husband hasn't returned? I guess it is a bit early but I had hoped."

All eyes in the room turned towards Rolly. Ali began to respond, tears welling up in her eyes. She swallowed hard and simply shook her head, scanning the room to see if anyone else noticed her vulnerability.

Rolly turned to the children, motioning towards the door. "Why don't you kids go outside for a few minutes? Ali and I need to talk. We don't want you young'uns making all this noise while the adults are trying to have a conversation."

Willow longed to know what they were discussing, but the chance to play instead of work was too enticing. Bursting out of the house, she chased after the boys, playfully throwing a handful of leaves at them. Both boys stopped and stooped down to pick up leaves of their own, but when they looked up, Willow had vanished. Hide and seek was one of their favorite games, and the chase began. Although finding Willow was usually an easy task, they still reveled in the excitement of the game.

As Zerin and Tye searched for Willow, their eyes met, and they heard a twig snap. Smiling mischievously, they stealthily maneuvered around the trees to the source of the sound. Willow, anticipating their move, was waiting for them, and when she stepped on the twig, she knew she was caught. As the boys reached the spot where she had been standing, she surprised Zerin by wrapping her arms around him from behind. Both boys gasped in astonishment, crying out as Willow tripped Zerin, causing him to tumble to the soft, leaf-covered ground. Tye swiftly grabbed his brother, and all three collapsed to the ground into a fit of laughter.