Carina felt led into the woods by this strange woman. The woman’s long matted hair and robe with a white sheen muddied around the hems flowed effortlessly over the gnarled roots of the forest floor. Carina stumbled over the knotted earth as though dragged by an invisible lead. Why had she come to these unfamiliar woods? She stole glances between footsteps, looking as deep past the trees as she could. Dark jagged bark, thick mist, and sickeningly sweet smelling red flowers. Carina did not know these woods, and she watched warily as the figure in front of her floated onward.

Crows called out through the morning air. At least, Carina believed it to be morning. Light filtered through the branches and fog and became so viscous Carina could almost feel it slosh against her skin. But the sun was not visible.

She found the strength to call out, “where are you taking me?”

But the woman said nothing. The figure had no sounds about her at all. Just the silent shimmering of the muddied gown. Carina tried once more to pull away, to step to either side. Her feet did not listen.

She continued on, with just her footsteps, the crow calls, and her whimpers.