Willow was determined to get her stones she felt a connection to them that she hadn't realized till now. Seeing Fern's door shut and hearing Raina and Fern talking she had stopped at her room first she needed time to think. She really didn't want to interrupt her friend, but after packing her things the pull became insistent. With that insistence came a sense that the stones were now in a quiet space with no one nearby. She exited her room after carefully peaking down the hall in both directions the only sound came from the direction of the kitchen and dining area. It sounded like a full-blown party.

She reached the room quickly avoiding anyone who might asked question. Slipping in the door the room was empty, and her stones were right where she left them. She chastised herself for leaving them and vowed to keep them with her from now on. The relief she felt after holding the stones again was immense and as she held them in her hand, she saw them glow a faint purple. She watched them getting lost in the glow which seemed to intensify as she focused on them. She had always seemed to see colorful outlines around things which no one else saw. It was a little unusual for the light to grow in intensity, but she had things to do, so dropping her treasures into the leather medicine bag she hung it back around her neck and angrily marched out of the room. She was still angry that everyone wanted to leave her wherever they didn't even tell her where. She could understand her mother being concerned about everything that was happening, because she was feeling so overwhelmed. But she just knew she needed to go her father needed her help and she had decided she was going even if it meant following along far enough behind as to not get caught. She thought she was big enough to remember the way and she knew the woods, the plants and how to avoid dangers. She needed more supplies though and she would find them back at her home supplies that wouldn't be missed. Everyone was occupied and getting to the barn unnoticed was easy she found Marigold a sleek golden Champagne colored mare. The mare nuzzled her hand and tossed its head in greeting. It didn't take long to find and secure her saddle, bridle and bags. She took the exit out the back of the barn where it was less likely she would be seen. She healed the horse and they were off at a run through the woods.

The wind felt good in her hair, she was excited about going on an adventure, but most of all she wanted to see her father safe again. She was glad that Fern was well, and her mind just couldn’t decide what exactly had happened back in Fern’s room. It was weird because it felt like a dream or something out of a book she had read, but magic and spirits couldn’t be real, could they? Willow still remembered the song it was still in her head replaying over and over. Was the song responsible for her friend’s recovery? Her mind says it was a healing song, but it was in a language that she was unfamiliar with. She had to hurry if she was going to get back to Rolly's before she was missed, and she couldn't be the reason they were delayed reaching her father and Lake. Finding a wider trail that led in the right direction she kicked the horse for more speed. Laying low across the horse's neck she loosened the reigns, tightened her legs and prayed she had the time she needed.

Making good progress Willow pulled back the reigns slowing Marrigold when she reached the area where the incident had occurred the day before. Willow leaped from the horse before it even stopped and began looking for signs around the tree where she had had the strange encounter with the animals and the grandmother before Zerin ran into her. She could feel something a coolness a faint scent like a thunderstorm, clean. She took a deep breath enjoying the space before continuing to search for prints. Her prints leave the trail and then vanish and then reappear just before she stepped back on the road. It was very strange, but she would discover no answers quickly and she needed to get back soon. Looking up Willow saw Marrigold waiting right where she leapt to the ground. Jumping back into the saddle, clicking her tongue they were racing down the path toward home.

After only a few minutes Willow again saw the brown haze in the distance rolling above the trees but before her mind could catalog what it might be it melted back into the trees like it was never there. Willow didn't motion the horse to slow, but soon she wished she had as the horse was began fidgeting, snorting and throwing her head. No matter what Willow did the horse kept galloping nervously side to side and it put Willow on edge. The ride from Rolly’s place to her home usually took about 45-60 minutes, but that was taking your time and she was going faster. by the time Willow arrived at her home she was walking and all but dragging Marrigold too much time had passed. She tied the horse who was still uneasy at the first gate to her farm and ran for the house. As she slowed near the porch, she heard the excitement of her animals, but figured they had heard her running across the graveled yard. Once inside she found a couple more changes of cloths, a coat, a bed roll, some basic gear that was packed and ready for traveling just in case her mom had said.

Every year after the fields were planted and summer on it way, she had gone with her mother and father north to the trading circle. She had learned what to pack, how to sleep while traveling and how to cook over a fire. They always brought some food, but they used snares, hunted and fished for fresh meat. This time of year, there was lots of food including berries, roots and greens that could be gathered and eaten. Willow tried to remember everything she would need including fire starter, dried meat and berries. The first day or so she wouldn't be able to collect much if she wanted to stay unseen and not be left too far behind. When she was done packing, she had the bag she packed at Rolly's and another large bag, so she thought it might be a good idea to bring a second horse. Willow carried the bag outside turning she secured the door and started toward the barn. Star a black gelding usually stood behind the barn in the shade of the trees during the hottest part of the day. Willow would take Star he got along well with Marrigold and would be easy to lead.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

There was still a lot of noise coming from inside the barn and Marrigold till noisily waited where she was tied. She walked toward the barn she would check on the animals quick before grabbing and saddling Star. It was strange that the animals would be so loud and the closer Willow got the more wrong it felt. The skin was prickling and the hairs on her arms were standing on end. A strange tingle like static raced up her spine to her head. She stopped to listen as the squawking and screaming of their livestock and her animal friends intensified. Willows heart pounded in her throat she could feel the fear as she ran to the barn and threw open the latch and began pulling on the heavy door. The animals were mad with fear frantic to leave worried they would be hurt and not seeing how a predator could get in Willow finished opening the door and began opening the pen to release the larger animals into the pasture. She tried to stand out of the way, but their herding behavior pushed Willow back out toward the door. Willow kept her feet by grabbing hold of the tool rack by the door frame and huddling to one side. It took only seconds for the animals to make it out past her and through the door. The scene revealed to Willow was horrific, she stood ridged unable to move as she watched. See animals their eyes were wide, the look of horror evident, seemed frozen in shock as a strange smoke began seeping through the planks and circling around them. Other animals were bloody torn and dismembered bloody prints from larger animals who had leaped their enclosures and trampled them covered the hard packed dirt floor.

She watched the brown unnatural mist and felt its malevolent evil as a huge ugly dark face and clawing hands materialize reaching, searching, and grabbing. The mist rolled and paused as it seemed to notice her. What kind of nightmare was she having, this couldn’t be real, could it? It turned away from her it's attention on the first animal Willow had raised a little black lamb named Charcoal. The claws reach for Coal and Willow screamed,” NOOO!!”

Tears came to her eyes, she couldn’t think, she wanted to beat the thing, drive it back and save her animals, her Charcoal. But she had no weapons, and it was so impossible. The monster swept the lamb up so fast Willow failed to see it happen. The monster seemed to be relishing the fear as it looked her way raising the meal to its mouth. The lamb wasn’t dead Charcoal had to be alive it was a nightmare. She had never had a nightmare quite as real before it was more than she could stand, she looked around and grabbed a pitchfork stumbling and spilling the tools from the rack onto the floor. You must face your fears let them pass over you and through you, fear was a mind killer, a little death she thought frantically as she ran across the barn and stood pitchfork out pointing at the thing as it grew and solidified before her. She met the monster’s eyes, it was watching her, but she did not care she would not let it have another of her animals. They needed them what would they do without them, and it was her job to raise and protect them. She walked forward and picked up another lamb throwing it over her shoulder keeping an eye on the monster who seemed to be concentrating on her every move. She kept the pitchfork out in front of her, but the threat was lost on the beast. The 8-foot-tall creature began to move forward its huge body hung with loose skin; the arms were long to long for its body almost hanging to the ground. It was faintly humanoid it’s face had two large red eyes, a deep ridge on its brow and a long snout with tiny sharp teeth. As came forward and willow stepped back. Still clinging to the lamb Willow dropped her weapon, ran out the door, dropped her lamb and pulled the door shut with more urgency than she thought possible. The door slammed and she fixed the latch. It was trapped she thought as she lifted her pack but before she could celebrate her escape, a mist began flowing under the door. It was brown and sinister just like before when it appeared in the barn. The creature was coming but instead of chasing her animals she knew it was after her. The lamb jostled when dropped was now back on its feet and it took off running in terror. Willow seeing the lamb fleeing decided it was a great idea to follow. She ran with pack held close ready to leave this horror show, but couldn't help herself, maybe she was still sure it was an illusion and looking back there would be nothing, instead looking back confirmed the beast was real as it again began to manifest its humanish form. She had to get away fear stabbed at her she repeated I shall not fear, fear is the mind killer, but fear came anyway. How could any of this be possible she looked back again. The creature was standing outside the door now, looking even bigger but still transparent. Rolling her ankle on a large stone and unable to regain her footing she fell her chin slamming into the earth, everything spun around as her world went black.