A girl in a black dress, barefoot, was running as fast as she could into the restricted side of the forest. Petrified, she looked back — the shadow was still following her! Tangled in her long dress, she fell flat on her face, hitting her head with a painful thud. Wincing, she pushed herself up slightly and turned her head. Still on the ground, she watched the shadow approach her. Terrified, she screamed, "Help! Help... Please! Somebody help...!"
Before she could cry out again, the shadow bent down, pushed a hand into her chest, and pulled her heart out before tossing it onto the forest floor. Standing up, the shadow watched as the girl's body returned to its original form—her skin turned gray, and black veins rose visibly to the surface.
The girl was a Dark Witch.
"Ann... Ann... wake up! It's a dream, Ann! Wake up...!"
Soaked in sweat, Anneliese opened her eyes with a gasp. She stared at her sister before sitting upright and whispering, "It was a dream."
"Yes, it was a dream, Ann," her sister replied gently.
"Then why did it feel so real?" Ann muttered.
Adlina handed her a glass of water and wiped her face with a towel. "Are you feeling better now?"
Ann nodded and hummed softly in response.
Seeing her sister stare off with an unreadable expression, Adlina added, "Go back to sleep, Ann. I'll hold your hand."
Ann took a deep breath and laid back down. Staring at the ceiling, she wondered, Was it the same shadow who helped me? Was he a murderer?
Shaking her head, she told herself, It was just a nightmare, Ann. Stop overthinking, and closed her eyes.
The next morning, Ann wore a long, dull white dress with a loose green shrug. Some of her wavy brown hair was pulled back and clipped with a stick. A brown bag hung on her left shoulder, and her right hand held an umbrella.
Rushing through the cobbled street, she muttered, "Can't believe it's only my second day at work and I'm already late!"
When she arrived at the store, Mr. Herondale greeted her with a smile. "Oh, you're here, Anneliese!"
"Good morning, Mr. Herondale! I'm terribly sorry for being late on my second day!"
Mr. Herondale, fond of Ann since she was little, waved it off. "No need to apologize. You're right on time."
Relieved, Ann set aside her umbrella and bag and got to work.
At one o'clock, she was eating lunch brought by Adlina when she overheard her sister talking to Mr. Herondale from across the room. Adlina mentioned being lost in the forest yesterday evening. Ann groaned and put a hand on her forehead, sighing. I really didn't want to make a fuss about that incident at work.
Later that afternoon, around four-thirty, Ann and Mr. Herondale were working on a parchment concerning land he had bought on the outskirts of Hazelburg. As he explained his plans, Matthew entered the store, panting and pale.
Mr. Herondale quickly approached him. "What happened, Matthew? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Catching his breath, Matthew exclaimed, "A dead Dark Witch was found in the restricted forest! The High Conclave is taking over the investigation from the Administrative Board. They've issued a one-week curfew for the town! Everyone must stay indoors. The Board will handle necessities."
Mr. Herondale turned to Ann. "Leave for home immediately! Matthew, accompany her."
But Ann, too shocked to speak, simply stared. It can't be true. It must be a coincidence—a very strange one. It can't be the same witch... or can it?
Trying to hide her panic, she said, "Thank you, Mr. Herondale, but there's no need to trouble Mr. Matthew. I'll take the town's route and get home safely."
Bowing quickly, she grabbed her bag and umbrella and hurried out.
Following the route from her nightmare, Ann rushed through the muddy forest. She entered the restricted side, moving quickly and carelessly.
Her foot caught something, and she tumbled forward, landing in the swampy ground. Her palms dug into the earth. Slowly, she pushed herself up and looked ahead.
Air escaped her lungs.
There it was. The same body. The same Dark Witch from her dream.
Her blood ran cold.
She stumbled backward... until her back hit something solid.
Turning, she looked up—into the blood-red eyes of a man wearing black trousers, black shoes, a black vest over a white shirt, and a long coat draped over his shoulders.
Ann's crystal blue eyes met his curious gaze.
"Care to enlighten me on what you're doing trespassing at a crime scene?" he asked calmly.
Looking around, Ann's panic rose as she realized members of the High Conclave were present—dressed in elite attire, watching her with piercing eyes. In her haste, she had missed the 'No Entry' signs... and everything else.
Swallowing hard, she tried to think of a lie. Her throat went dry.
"Ahh, I... I was here..."
The man's eyes narrowed.
"I… I lost something in the forest," she stammered. "I was just trying to find it."
He raised a brow. "Sure. In the restricted forest," he said with a mocking edge.
Cursing herself inwardly, she continued the lie. "Yes! I strayed into the forest on my way home yesterday and lost something very precious to me."