The next morning, the first rays of sunlight streamed through Valeria's window, casting a warm glow over her room. She was already awake, excitement buzzing through her veins. She quickly slipped into the new dress her mother had given her the night before, the fabric soft and light against her skin. The dress fit her perfectly, its vibrant colors making her feel as if she were part of the blooming flowers in the meadows. Unable to contain her excitement, she dashed out of her room, nearly tripping over her own feet in her haste.

"Mom! How do I look?" Valeria called out as she reached the kitchen, spinning around to show off her new dress.

Her mother looked up from her morning chores, a chuckle escaping her as she took in the sight of her daughter. "It suits you perfectly, Valeria," she said, her eyes soft with affection. "You look absolutely adorable."

Valeria beamed at the compliment, but her mother’s next words carried a gentle warning. “Now, would you promise not to get it dirty on the first day?”

With a mischievous grin, Valeria replied, “I’ll do my best!” Before her mother could say anything more, she was out the door, the excitement of the new day pushing her forward.

As she dashed out, Valeria caught a glimpse of her mother shaking her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. She knew that her mother would be a bit more lenient today, considering it was just her birthday yesterday. Still, Valeria made a mental note to keep her promise about not dirtying the dress—at least not too much. She decided to avoid the woods for the day, knowing how easily she could lose track of time and end up with her dress covered in dirt and leaves. Instead, she wandered through the village, happily showing off her new attire to anyone who would stop to look.

The villagers smiled and complimented her as she passed by, their warm words adding to her already bright mood. Yet, despite the cheerful atmosphere, Valeria couldn’t stop her thoughts from drifting back to the gift her father had mentioned the night before—the promise of learning a few tricks from his friend who was proficient in magic. The idea of learning magic thrilled her to no end, and she couldn’t wait to meet this mysterious friend.

But something else nagged at her mind: Where was Alex? She hadn’t seen him since the day before, and it wasn’t like him to miss her birthday. Just as she was pondering this, she noticed a familiar figure running towards her house. It was Uncle Oscar, Alex’s father. Valeria paused, her curiosity piqued as she watched him approach. Her father had just stepped out, preparing to go on his daily hunt, when he noticed Uncle Oscar approaching. Their expressions were serious, a stark contrast to the usual easygoing demeanor they both shared.

Valeria’s curiosity deepened as she watched from a distance, trying to make out what they were saying. Her father nodded at Uncle Oscar, his face growing more solemn with each word exchanged. Then, without hesitation, her father turned and began walking in the direction of the woods, following Uncle Oscar.

Before setting off, her father glanced back and noticed Valeria watching them. He raised a hand, signaling her to go back inside the house. Valeria hesitated, her mind racing with questions. What could have happened? Why were they heading into the woods so early in the morning, and with such serious expressions?

Despite her father’s gesture, Valeria’s curiosity gnawed at her. She wondered what could be so important that it required her father’s immediate attention. But the day was too beautiful to spend indoors, and Valeria couldn’t resist the allure of the outdoors, even with her mother’s warning about keeping her new dress clean. The sky was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily overhead, and the air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers. Valeria was determined not to let the day go to waste, but she also didn’t want to break her promise to her mother.

With a resolve to stay close to the village, she decided to visit her favorite spot by the lake. The lake, nestled just on the outskirts of the village, had always been a place of solace for Valeria. It was where she went to think, to dream, and to imagine all the adventures that lay beyond the horizon. As she approached the lake, she spotted the large, flat rock where she always sat, perfectly positioned to overlook the sparkling water.

Valeria carefully wiped the dust off the rock with the edge of her dress before settling down. Once she was sure it was clean enough, she perched herself on the stone, smoothing out her dress as she did so. She propped her chin on her hand, letting her thoughts drift to the magic she might soon learn from her father’s acquaintance. Her mind wandered to the kind mage she had met before, the woman who had inspired her dreams of adventure and bravery. Would this new mage be anything like her? Would they teach Valeria the secrets of the arcane arts, show her how to wield power that could shape the world around her?

The thought filled her with excitement, and she couldn’t help but let out a small sigh of contentment as she stared out over the lake. The water was calm, its surface rippling gently in the breeze, reflecting the vibrant colors of the sky. The rustling of leaves in the nearby trees provided a soothing backdrop, but something about the scene felt off. Usually, the air would be filled with the sounds of birds chirping, their songs harmonizing with the natural symphony of the forest. But today, the forest was unusually quiet, almost unnervingly so.

The absence of birdsong made Valeria pause, her earlier excitement giving way to a slight unease. The quiet was almost too perfect, too still. She scanned the treeline, looking for any sign of movement, but there was nothing. Just the gentle rustling of the leaves and the soft lapping of the lake’s waters against the shore.

Despite the odd stillness, the peace of the moment began to lull Valeria into a sense of drowsiness. The warmth of the sun on her face, the rhythmic sounds of the lake, and the gentle sway of the trees were all too inviting. Her mind, still filled with thoughts of magic and adventure, began to drift further into a pleasant haze.

Before she knew it, Valeria shifted into a more comfortable position on the rock, tucking her legs beneath her and resting her head against the smooth surface. "Just a quick nap," she thought, her eyelids growing heavy. The excitement of the day had left her pleasantly tired, and the stillness of the forest, while strange, felt like a soft blanket wrapping around her.

Within moments, Valeria’s eyes closed, and she slipped into a peaceful slumber, the quiet of the forest now a comforting presence rather than a cause for concern. As she slept, the day continued around her, the lake’s surface gently reflecting the sky above, and the leaves whispering secrets only the wind could hear.

“Valeria!” Her father’s voice shattered the peaceful silence, jolting her out of her sleep. The urgency in his tone made her heart race. “I’m here!” she called back, quickly scrambling to her feet, still feeling a bit groggy. She jumped off the rock and ran toward the direction of his voice, the remnants of sleep clinging to her mind like cobwebs.

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As she neared the edge of the lake, she caught sight of her father, his figure hunched over as he stood at the treeline. For the first time, Valeria noticed how much he was sweating, his clothes sticking to his body and his usually composed face lined with worry. His eyes were wide, scanning her from head to toe as she approached.

“Where have you been, Valeria? Are you hurt anywhere?” he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and panic as his gaze frantically searched her for any signs of injury.

Valeria blinked in confusion, taking in her father’s unusually frantic demeanor. It wasn’t until she looked up at the sky that she realized just how much time had passed. The sun was already sinking toward the horizon, casting long shadows over the lake. How could I have slept for that long? Valeria thought, her heart sinking with guilt.

“I’m sorry! I was just sleeping here. I didn’t realize it had already gotten this late,” she apologized, her voice small as she looked up at her father.

But to her surprise, her father didn’t seem angry. Instead, he let out a shaky breath, his eyes softening as he pulled her into a quick, tight hug. “No, baby. It’s my fault. Let’s hurry,” he said, his tone gentle but laced with an urgency that Valeria couldn’t quite understand.

Valeria nodded, still confused by his reaction. Why did he think it was his fault? And why was he in such a rush? But before she could ask, her father’s gaze drifted to the horizon behind them, his expression darkening.

“It’s already too late…” he murmured, almost to himself, his voice trembling ever so slightly.

Valeria followed his gaze, turning to look at the forest beyond the lake. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the trees trembling, their leaves rustling violently even though there was no wind. The sight was eerie, unnatural, and it sent a shiver down her spine. But she didn’t understand what it meant. What was happening?

“Dad, shouldn’t we go home?” she asked, her voice tinged with unease as she tugged at his hand, trying to pull his attention away from whatever was out there.

Her father blinked, as if coming back to the present, and looked down at her with a strained smile. “Valeria… You go first. Your mother is waiting. I have something I need to take care of. I’ll be right behind you, okay?” He patted her head, his touch familiar and comforting, but there was something in his eyes—something that made Valeria’s unease deepen.

She hesitated, wanting to argue, to insist that they go together, but the look in her father’s eyes stopped her. There was a warmth there, the same warmth he always had when he looked at her, but it was mixed with something else. Something that made her heart twist in her chest.

Still, she nodded, not wanting to cause him any more trouble. “Okay, Dad,” she said softly. She turned and began to run toward the path that led back to the village, her feet moving quickly over the familiar ground.

“Also, Valeria,” her father called after her, his voice making her pause. “Tell your mother to go ahead, just in case. She’ll understand what I mean.”

Valeria turned back to look at him, a question on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it down. Instead, she gave him a quick nod before continuing on her way. As she ran, she couldn’t resist glancing back over her shoulder. Her father’s figure was still there, standing tall and strong, even as he moved toward the trembling forest. The sight of him, his broad shoulders and determined stance, was both reassuring and unsettling. He had carried her on those shoulders so many times before, it always made her feel safe and invincible.

With a final look back, Valeria turned her focus forward, her legs pumping faster as she made her way home. Her mind raced with questions, but she pushed them aside, concentrating on getting to her mother as quickly as possible. Whatever was happening, she needed to do as her father said. She needed to get home and tell her mother.

But the unease in her chest remained, gnawing at her as she ran, the image of her father’s retreating figure etched into her mind.

The familiar path that Valeria had walked through countless times felt different now, the once comforting silence now heavy and oppressive. The quiet seemed to amplify the unease growing in her chest, fueled by her father’s strange behavior and the trembling forest she had left behind. Each step felt slower, her feet dragging as if the very ground was pulling her back. The trees, normally full of life, stood like silent sentinels, their branches swaying ever so slightly in the still air.

As Valeria finally broke through the edge of the forest and reached the village, the sight before her made her heart drop. The villagers, who usually greeted her with warm smiles and friendly waves, were now moving frantically. Some were reinforcing their homes, hammering boards over windows and doors, while others were hastily packing belongings into carts and setting out as quickly as they could. The normal, peaceful rhythm of village life had been replaced by a chaotic scramble, a sense of urgency hanging thick in the air.

Valeria froze, her heart pounding in her chest, fear creeping in and settling in her bones. What was happening? Why was everyone acting like this? Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the scene before her, but no answers came.

Without thinking, she turned and ran toward her house, her feet moving on instinct. The sight of her mother waiting at the door, her face a mix of relief and worry, was a brief comfort. But as Valeria reached her, her mother’s expression quickly changed to one of deep concern.

“Valeria, where is your father?” Her mother’s voice was tight, almost pleading, as she looked over Valeria’s shoulder, searching for any sign of her husband.

Valeria, still catching her breath, remembered her father’s words and quickly repeated them. “He said he had to take care of something... And that you should go ahead, just in case.”

Her mother’s face paled, the color draining from her cheeks as Valeria watched. “He said you would understand,” Valeria added, her voice trembling as she saw the pain and fear in her mother’s eyes.

“No… William…” Tears began to spill down her mother’s face, the sight of them causing Valeria’s fear to morph into outright panic. She had never seen her mother cry like this, not with such raw emotion.

“What’s wrong, Mom? What... is happening?” Valeria’s voice quivered, the words tumbling out as she tried to grasp what was going on. But instead of answering, her mother pulled her inside the house, her movements swift and purposeful. Valeria noticed her mother grabbing a bag along the way, that bag had seemingly been packed in advance.

Her mother led her into the bedroom, where she activated a hidden contraption Valeria had never seen before. A small hole behind the cabinet revealed itself, a secret hiding place that Valeria had no idea existed. Her mother knelt beside her, handing her the bag with trembling hands.

“Valeria, sweetie, hold this. There’s food, water, and some other necessities inside. Be a good girl and stay here until we come back. I’m going to get your father,” her mother instructed, her voice shaky yet determined.

Valeria looked up at her mother, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. “Mom… What’s going on?” she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper as she clung to her mother’s arm. But her mother, avoiding the question, pulled her into a tight hug.

“It will be okay, Valeria, don’t worry,” her mother whispered, trying to sound reassuring, but the fear in her own eyes betrayed her. “Just promise me, no matter what you hear, do not make any sound. Stay where you are, and we will come get you after this is over, alright?”

Valeria’s heart ached with fear, her mother’s words only deepening the sense of foreboding that had settled over her. As her mother gently settled her into the hiding spot, the reality of the situation crashed down on her, and she felt the tears start to blur her vision.

“Mom… Please don’t leave…” Valeria’s voice cracked, her tears flowing freely now as she watched her mother prepare to close the hiding spot.

“I will be back soon, I promise,” her mother’s voice was soft, almost soothing, as she offered one last comforting smile. But the cabinet moved back into place, blocking out the light and leaving Valeria in darkness, alone with her fears.

The sound of her mother’s footsteps faded away, and Valeria was left with only the sound of her own breathing and the distant, muffled noises from outside. The small space was stifling, the air thick with the smell of wood and the lingering scent of her mother’s perfume. Valeria hugged the bag tightly to her chest, her mind racing with questions and fears she couldn’t fully comprehend. She had never felt so scared, so alone.

All she could do was wait, her heart pounding in her chest, hoping her parents would return soon and that this nightmare would end. But as the seconds stretched into minutes, Valeria couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen, something that would change her life forever.