“IVY.” A voice called, bring the girl to her feet. She had just turned 16 but was still being treated like a child. She brushed off her pants and put on her coat. Taking away the cold and surrounding her with warmth as the heat magic activated. Stretching her hands up, pushing her fingers until they made a small crack sound. She looked over the scenery of the forest one more time, watching the ice deer's leap over frozen roots and snow white butterflies land on bright blue flowers. The smell of the fresh snow and the cold air filled her nose, bringing life to her. She continued to take in the surrounding nature, when she noticed gold dust fall from one of the tree’s. Catching her attention, she turned to see a fairy sitting on a branch, giggling to itself and waving to her. She stared in disgust and walked towards her mother, who had now called her name multiple times.

“Dammit, Ivy, where were you?” Her mother sighed, not fully facing her.

“I was looking at the forest.” Ivy said in a sing-songy voice as she walked inside of the small house. The exterior was nothing to talk about. It looked like a normal cabin, the only difference being it had a sign out front saying “Black wood clinic.” On the inside though, it was much larger, having a door leading towards a stone path and another in the back leading towards the forest. The front door was next to a small common area where people could sit down and wait as their medicine was made, drinking tea or reading newspapers. A little further in was a counter that led towards a doorway. In the doorway was a kitchen and a living area. Past the kitchen was a long hallway that never stayed one way, but most people say it’s narrow with four-bed room doors and a bathroom.

“I sent you out there to get snow root not to do bird watching.” Her mother said, walking into a different room and bringing out two bottles of a gold liquid. “Did you even get them?” She asked, turning to her daughter, putting her hand on her hip.

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

“Yes, I did.” Ivy pouted, rummaging through her pockets, pulling out two silver-colored roots. Her mother grabbed them out of her hand, placing them on the table whispering something. Turning the silver color into a bright pink.

“Thank you.” Her mother said, patting the top of her head before turning to the old man sitting on the couch reading a newspaper that Ivy could have sworn was a couple of days old. “Here you go Sam. Sorry for taking so long.” Her mother said, giving the man the two bottles and a brown paper bag with the roots in them.

“It’s fine.”He said, laughing in a big hearty voice. “My kids were just like this when they were younger.” He said, before lifting off of the couch, opening the front door and nearly slamming into a young boy.

“Ah sorry Sam.” The boy said, rocking back and stepping away from the door, letting the old man exit.

“It’s fine Edric, just watch where you’re going next time.” He said, waving a final goodbye and left.

“So Edric, is there a reason you almost ran Sam over or are you in the mood to slam into something?” Ivy said, closing the door behind Edric.

“I found someone in the river.” He rambled, the sentence practically spilling out of his mouth like he was holding back a secret.

“WHAT!?” Ivy’s mother said, grabbing her coat dragging Edric out the door, demanding he show her where he found them. After a bit of walking towards the river, they saw a stream of blood coming from further down. Following where it was coming from, they found a boy on the edge of the river, barely breathing.

“Edric.” Ivy’s mother said, slapping him on the back of the head. “Why did you leave him here?”

“I don’t know, I panicked.” He said, rubbing the back of his head and shrugging.

“Whatever.” Ivy’s mother said, shaking her head. “Just help me bring him back to the house. It’s a miracle that he is alive.” She said, casting a spell that caused the boy’s body to float. The kids were quiet for the rest of the walk, only listening to the lecture they got about their behavior today. The day passed by as Ivy and Edric became helpers, bring materials for Ivy’s mom so that she could nurse the boy back to health, and as quickly as it had came the sun was soon gone.