The momentum of Ivy’s running speed threw her into the lush and healthy undergrowth, and she rolled through the bushes, finally coming to a stop a few meters further. The young woman forced herself up onto her shaking arms with a groan, just in time to see the beast burst out of the sick woods.

The steps of the willow tree monster came to a halt as soon as it crossed the threshold and sap dripped from its splintered maw. The wood of its body heaved and wheezed as it loomed over Ivy, disgusting thick sap glopped down on the ground with a burning hiss where the leaves got coated.

Ivy’s heart was thundering in her ears with panic and she winced back when the beast moved, waiting for it to tear into her, but it never came. Instead with a groan of creaking wood it turned and returned into the depths of the corrupted woods, leaving Ivy sitting by herself gripping the compass in her hand.

After a few tense quiet seconds, she burst into a wheezing confused laugh. She couldn’t stop the manic laughter for several moments, despite her burning lungs. That had been her closest brush with death, and her laughter finally abruptly ended in a coughing fit.

“Thank the heavens I’m not dead!” she wheezed as she tried to calm down.

The raccoon stared her down, the book pressed tightly against its chest. The air was fresh and clear here, even if the pair stank. They stood in a lush warm meadow filled with humming crickets and twittering birds.

After a few moments, the raccoon took the book in its teeth once more and sprinted away. This time it tore to the edge of a lush thriving town.

A cobblestone wall marked the beginning of the town. Filled with simple small cottages and family farms. Many people were just starting their morning as the pair went through the small town. In the center was a quite sleepy market with a handful of people. Between people's legs, over and under baby bassinets, the little raccoon bounced. As people saw it coming, several screamed, cursing the horrible little bandit.

Ivy took off after the raccoon and tried to get around the people, which wasn’t too difficult due to how bad she looked and smelled at the moment. She was still tightly holding the compass in her hand as the raccoon led her straight through the town and back out of it on the other side.

“Will you stop, you little beast? That is my book!” She huffed as she was starting to catch up finally once they got back into the woods.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

She could feel the hum of magic in the air get stronger, as if a whisper in a foreign language carried upon the soft breeze. Finally, the two burst back out into a small clearing and Ivy snatched up the Raccoon by its thick scruff and tried to wring the book out of its mouth.

“Give it back you rotten thing!” She snapped, shaking the small growling creature, but it did not let go of her journal. Ivy was so caught up in fighting with the raccoon she didn’t notice the small cottage they were only a few steps from.

With what little force the raccoon had in its legs it rolled and pushed off her tumbling backwards into the cottage door. The cottage was hidden by a large willow tree and stood at the edge of the town. Magic hummed louder as the door to the cottage opened and the raccoon flopped down onto its master's feet.

In the doorway stood a short woman in a simple dark dress with fluffy sleeves. Her nose wrinkled from the horrible smell of the pair in the doorway. Her long black hair was pulled back and braided. Her eyes narrowed looking down at her raccoon who chattered up at her wildly and looked to actually be pointed at Ivy, if such a thing was possible.

The woman reached down and picked up her still chattering companion eyeing Ivy. She plucked the journal out of its grasp and looked it over. “Sorry, this is yours, isn't it?” her eyes flicked to the compass in Ivy’s hand and she stepped out into the light.

Ivy had spooked upon the opening of the door and she held her breath a moment as the other woman held out the scuffed up book to her.

“Ah, y-yes, the bugger stole it from me, I assume they stole this too…” Ivy replied in a sigh holding up the compass. “It’s sadly broken, won’t face north, but I hope I can get it back to its rightful owner,” she added with a glanced glare at the raccoon.

The black haired woman raised her eyebrows and reached for the compass. Her eyes darkened as she saw the needle in the middle twist slowly, finally resting on Ivy. It wasn’t spinning wildly like it had when the raccoon was holding it. The second it had touched her hand, the needle pointed at the actual owner, who pocketed the compass in the large hidden pockets in her dress. Her lips pressed thin. “Thank you,” she hesitated, looking over the grubby woman. “What are you doing all the way out here?” she asked Ivy as she sniffled a little as the raccoon pulled at her dress pocket and chattered up at her.

Ivy perked up when the woman took the compass out of her hand and handed her journal back. She had felt a small spark when their hands had brushed and her brows knotted.

“Um… I-I’m looking for someone that, that may or may not be, able to prevent the witch plague from taking hold in a person,” she replied vaguely, knowing how dangerous it was to seek out a witch, both for herself and for the witch.

“I want to learn how to do so as well,” she added quietly, futzing with her fingers absentmindedly. She looked away from the woman, unsure if her meaning would be understood.

The woman was silent for a moment, her stern eyes looking over Ivy.

“Come in then.”