Elisa, exhausted after the events of the previous day, slept for a long time. When James's warriors gathered around the campfire, she finally joined them. The young men, rested and in high spirits, were roasting game over the flames. Elisa sat beside James, helping him prepare a succulent roe deer.
"Uncle Henry, tell us some interesting stories," Elisa asked the old hunter. Everyone sitting by the fire agreed at once. While the meat sizzled, they all wanted to hear captivating tales from a seasoned hunter and warrior like Henry. He smiled and replied:
"In my life, I've seen many things you couldn't even dream of. Even as a child, I was in many skirmishes and battles. The whole district feared me because I grew up strong and resilient. I could cross vast distances just for the sake of a thrill. Climbing high mountains was a trifle for me. I could even move through trees like a monkey. My father punished me many times for these antics.
Once, in my youth, I was hunting a wild boar and wandered far, far away. When I finally shot my prey, I looked around and saw strange trees and plants. It was as if someone had intentionally altered the landscape I knew. I realized I was in unknown territory, and a powerful urge to explore it took hold of me. I decided to stay for a few days. Even though the sun was setting, I made camp and began roasting the boar. That night, I climbed the tallest tree to sleep. To keep from falling, I tied myself securely to the trunk—a skill I had learned long ago.
When morning finally came, I descended and felt a wave of exhaustion. My whole body ached from the previous day's journey and from sleeping in the tree. I began to hallucinate, muttering nonsensical words. I realized I had a fever. 'Oh, why didn't I listen to my father? He was right—I've finally landed in a hopeless situation. There isn't a soul here to help me. I've brought this upon myself,' I thought.
My legs shook violently; I couldn't stand, let alone move my fingers. And there was no turning back—I was already in another world. Gathering all my strength, I cried out for help, but no one answered. Overcome by the illness, I lost consciousness.
I don't know how long I lay there, but I woke to the sound of voices. They were unpleasant, grating. I lay still, invisible. A few meters away, several creatures that looked like humans passed by. They were short, and their faces were hideous. I followed them with my eyes. It was a good thing I had hidden the boar's carcass elsewhere, or they would have caught the scent. A thought flashed through my mind: 'What if they're looking for me? Yes—who else? They came for the smell of the boar and the fire.' After a while, sleep overcame me again.
When I finally woke up, I was lying inside someone's house. I wasn't fully recovered; my muscles were weak. 'Where am I? Who saved me?' I wondered. Then, I saw a girl of extraordinary beauty. She approached me and spoke in our English:
— I saved you from the terrifying cannibals! Who are you?
— My name is Henry Sommers. I am a simple hunter.
— And I am Corrie, — the stranger smiled. — I am the daughter of a healer. My mother died a few days ago. Now I am here in the forest, all alone. By the way, I know your village! My mother was from there too.
— How could you know my village, girl? I traveled many miles to get here.
— No, your village is very close. You just came by a different, longer road.
— What? There's a shorter path?
— Yes, of course!
— And where did those small people come from?
— Their village is nearby.
— Do they bother you?
— No, I work for them. Once a week, I send medicinal supplies to their chief. My mother used to work for them too. I have my own territory here; they don't dare enter.
— Was I on your territory when I was lying there?
— No, you were on theirs. They were definitely looking for you. I watched them. They were carrying the boar on their backs. Following them, I heard their conversation. The monsters said someone had invaded their territory without permission. They said they would search everywhere—except my land. They believe I will soon become a monster myself, and they don't want to anger me. But I don't take it seriously. It's all because someone cursed my mother long ago.
— Why?
— Because she couldn't heal someone. So, they cursed her. But my mother was a gifted woman. She cursed their entire village back, and they began to degenerate. Those small people you saw are the inhabitants of that cursed village.
— Your mother came here from my village? That's so strange!
— Yes, she once entered this dimension looking for new medicinal plants. She loved this place and decided to stay forever.
— And where is your father from?
— Before coming here, my mother fell in love with a young man. When she got pregnant, he abandoned her. That's how I came to be!
— I see, — I said. — But why do those monsters think you'll turn into a creature?
— Because when they cursed her, I was in her womb. The curse didn't affect her, but it might affect me.
— What nonsense! I don't believe in curses at all.
— Believe it or not, my mother's curse worked on the locals, and they became cannibals. I'm terrified that one day I'll turn into some kind of monster.
— Don't be afraid, — I tried to soothe her. — Nothing will happen to you.
Corrie brought me food. It was delicious.
— Where do you get these products, Corrie? — I asked.
— I have a large homestead here. A garden, an orchard, and a small farm in the back.
— But how will you manage alone now that your mother is gone?
— I was looking for an assistant, and thank God, I found one.
— Who? — I asked.
— You! — the healer smiled.
— Me? No! — I protested. — I have to go home.
— Well, — Corrie replied sadly. — I thought you'd take pity on me.
— I'm sorry, Corrie, I truly am. But I'm used to my village, my family. A hermit's life isn't for me.
— Fine, — she looked at me, deeply disappointed. — You can leave once you've recovered.
I felt so sorry for her. She was so beautiful, naive, and all alone among those terrifying creatures. I ate the healthy food and drank her medicinal juice. I started feeling much better. Talking to her, I realized how kind and simple she was. 'A true child of nature!' I thought. She helped me out of the goodness of her soul, not for any selfish reason. How could she survive here alone? I couldn't understand it. But after eating my fill, a thought occurred to me.
— Corrie, leave this place.
— Why? — she asked, smiling.
— I'll take you to my village.
Her face became serious. After a moment of silence, she replied:
— And what about my farm?
— To hell with the farm! Do you want to stay in the forest alone? One day those monsters or some wild beast will kill you.
— I can't, Henry. Your people will never accept me.
— Why not? Of course they will. You aren't a stranger to us. Your mother was from our village.
— Yes, she was, but I am an outsider.
— But you're human, just like us.
Henry didn't leave. When the fever broke and his strength returned, he simply started helping. There were no more talks about leaving or staying forever. He just woke up in a new world and, seemingly, fit right in.
Mornings began with the aroma of fresh bread and herbal tea. Corrie's house was a sanctuary. The thick log walls kept it cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Narrow but high windows let in streams of soft light. In the evenings, they sat by the fire, and the silence between them was filled with peace.
— Henry, — Corrie whispered one night under the stars. — I'm so lucky you got lost.
— I didn't get lost, Corrie, — he replied. — I think I've finally found my way.
Their first kiss was as natural as the world around them. It tasted like wild berries and smelled like fresh flowers. Henry held her close, feeling a warmth in his heart he had never known before. All night they sat by the fire, hand in hand, watching the moon. Henry knew he was home. In this forest. Beside Corrie.
Henry fell silent, but he couldn't stop there. He had to tell them everything to the very end. Elisa sat staring at him, her eyes filled with tears. The old hunter could no longer hide the truth. He closed his eyes, and it all came rushing back.
— I couldn't leave her, — Henry continued. — I loved her more than anything. I realized the fear of losing her was stronger than the fear of people. I took her hands and said: 'Corrie, listen. I was a coward. But now I know I only need one thing—you. Come with me. We'll leave this place. We'll rebuild your home and your garden in my village. My friends will help us.'
She was silent for a long time, then raised her tear-filled eyes: 'Henry, I'm afraid. I'm afraid my curse will bring you pain. Your people will see me as a monster.'
I replied: 'My people are kind, Corrie. They will accept you because you saved me, because you are my love. We will live together, happily. Our children...'
We spent a few more days filled with quiet happiness, visiting every corner of her domain. Finally, the day came. The sun had just risen. Corrie took one last look at her home, and we set off. We walked for a long time, and I felt her hand in mine becoming damp and cold. I didn't understand what was happening, but I sensed something was wrong. Soon, we saw the lights of my village.
I smiled: 'Look, Corrie. Our home. Soon we'll be there.' But before I could finish, she suddenly fell to her knees. She clutched her stomach and groaned in agony. Her body began to writhe.
— Henry! The curse has caught up with me. It's... it's stronger than I am! — she screamed. — Henry, please, for the sake of our love, forget me! I love you so much! Goodbye...
As she spoke, her body began to be covered in fur. Her bones cracked, she grew larger, and I was terrified. But I didn't let go. I hugged her, trying to calm her, but her body was no longer her own. She was turning into what I feared most... a massive werewolf.
Her beautiful eyes, full of tears, looked at me with nothing but infinite love and infinite pain. She wept, and her tears flowed over my hands. With those words, she tore herself from my embrace and vanished into the forest. I ran after her, but I couldn't keep up. She was a werewolf—she was faster. I lay on the ground until dawn, looking at the stars. I couldn't believe she was gone.
The world has been a small place for Henry ever since.
— I couldn't live in a world where Corrie was gone, — Henry said. — I live with the pain I caused her because I wasn't strong enough to protect her.