The instant that hand seized Lily's wrist—
Time faltered.
Not slowed… not stilled…
But faltered, as though the world itself had hesitated to witness what was about to unfold.
From the hollow darkness of the crooked doorway, a figure emerged.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
As though each step carried the weight of centuries.
She was… old.
Not merely aged by years, but worn by something far more merciless than time. Her skin clung loosely to her bones, pale and thinning, as though it had long since surrendered its vitality. Wrinkles carved deep, uneven paths across her face, and her eyes—
Her eyes were hollow.
Sunken.
Yet alive with a dreadful, knowing light.
She did not resemble a woman.
She resembled something that had endured far beyond what should have been possible.
The Witch.
---
Her fingers tightened slightly around Lily's wrist.
Not enough to wound—
But enough to remind.
There would be no escape.
---
Lily could not breathe.
Her chest rose and fell in shallow, broken attempts, as though the very air had turned against her. A dreadful chill seeped into her bones, numbing her limbs, stealing the strength from her body.
Her vision blurred.
For a fleeting, terrifying moment—
It felt as though her soul had begun to slip… gently, quietly… from its place.
"I… I…" her lips trembled, but no sound followed.
Behind her, the children had scattered like frightened deer, hiding behind ancient trees, their small bodies pressed tightly against the bark.
They dared not cry.
Dared not move.
Only watched.
---
And then—
The Witch laughed.
A low, rasping sound at first—
Then deeper.
Wider.
Spreading through the forest like a disease.
It echoed against the towering trees, curled through the branches, and sank into the very earth beneath their feet.
The leaves quivered.
The shadows shifted.
Even the wind recoiled, as though it, too, feared her voice.
For one suspended moment—
The world held its breath.
---
Then—
Silence.
Abrupt.
Complete.
The laughter vanished as though it had never existed.
The Witch's gaze settled upon Lily once more.
Lingering.
Studying.
Almost… reverent.
---
She stepped closer.
Lily flinched, instinctively trying to pull away—
But the grip upon her wrist remained unyielding.
"Please…" Lily whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. "Let me go…"
Her words trembled, fragile as glass.
"I… I didn't mean to come here… I won't come again, I promise…"
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
There was no pride in her voice.
No resistance.
Only fear.
Raw.
Honest.
Childlike.
---
And then—
The Witch pulled her into an embrace.
---
It was sudden.
So sudden that Lily forgot how to be afraid.
Her frail arms wrapped around Lily with a strange, unnatural gentleness.
A creepy smirk—sharp and fleeting—touched the Witch's lips.
But Lily did not see it.
All she felt…
Was warmth.
---
It was unfamiliar.
Foreign.
Almost painful in its softness.
Lily's body stiffened, confusion overtaking her fear.
No one had ever held her like this.
Not once.
Not in kindness.
Not in comfort.
Not even in pity.
Her hands hovered uncertainly in the air—
Before slowly, hesitantly…
They curled into the Witch's tattered garments.
"…warm…" she whispered, almost to herself.
Her voice trembled.
As though she could not quite believe what she was feeling.
Was it real?
Or merely an illusion spun from something far darker?
Magic… perhaps.
A gentle deception.
A spell disguised as affection.
---
The Witch drew back slightly, her hands resting upon Lily's shoulders.
Her touch lingered.
Possessive.
Knowing.
"How are you, Lily?" she asked softly.
Her voice had changed.
It was no longer hollow.
No longer chilling.
It was warm.
Smooth.
Almost… motherly.
"You have grown so beautifully."
---
Lily stared at her, her breath catching once more—but this time, not from fear.
From confusion.
"How…?" she whispered, her brows knitting together. "How do you know my name?"
There was no accusation in her tone.
Only wonder.
And a faint, fragile trust.
---
The Witch smiled.
Slow.
Measured.
" I know many things, child," she replied gently. "That is why they call me a witch."
Her fingers brushed lightly against Lily's cheek.
A gesture so soft it felt real.
Too real.
"Do not be frightened," she murmured. "People fear what they do not understand… so they speak lies."
Her gaze drifted toward the trees where the other children hid.
"I am not what they say I am."
---
Lily swallowed.
Her heart beat unevenly in her chest.
"…then what are you?" she asked quietly.
---
For a brief moment—
The Witch said nothing.
Her eyes darkened ever so slightly.
But then—
She smiled again.
Soft.
Harmless.
"Someone who has been alone for a very long time," she answered.
---
Something inside Lily shifted.
Loneliness.
That was something she understood.
Far too well.
---
"Call your friends," the Witch said gently. "Tell them come. I will not harm anyone."
---
Lily hesitated.
Her instincts whispered caution.
But her heart…
Her heart remembered the warmth.
Slowly, she turned her head and called out—
" She won't hurt us… please come…"
Her voice, though soft, carried reassurance.
---
One by one, the children emerged.
Fear still clung to them, but Lily's presence gave them courage.
And the Witch…
She welcomed them.
---
"From this day onward," she said, her tone light, almost cheerful, "All of you may come here whenever you wish.."
The children exchanged uncertain glances.
"Truly…?" Lily asked, her eyes wide.
---
The Witch nodded.
"But…" she added softly, "if all of you help me gather mushrooms and herbs from the forest…"
Her lips curved faintly.
"I shall teach all of you magic."
---
Magic.
The word lingered in the air like a forbidden promise.
Lily's eyes sparkled with innocent wonder.
"Realllyyy…?" she breathed, stepping closer.
---
The Witch chuckled.
Low.
Satisfied.
---
And so—
They stayed.
They played.
They laughed.
Tiny hands gathering herbs.
Soft voices filling the once-silent forest.
Time passed unnoticed.
Like a dream one does not wish to wake from.
---
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in deep shades of crimson—
The moment of departure arrived.
Lily turned, her heart unexpectedly heavy.
"I… I have to go now," she said softly.
---
The Witch stepped forward.
Without a word—
She placed a gentle kiss upon Lily's forehead.
Lingering.
Intentional.
Warm.
Like a blessing.
Or perhaps…
Something far more binding.
---
"Go carefully," the Witch murmured.
Her voice had changed again.
Quieter.
Darker.
"The Alpha of the Silver Pack is angered."
Lily's eyes widened.
"Their children have already spoken against you."
A flicker of fear returned.
---
"But do not be afraid," the Witch whispered, leaning closer.
Her breath brushed against Lily's ear.
"When fear finds you…"
Her voice dropped to a near whisper—
"Remember me."
"I will come for you."
---
Lily nodded quickly, clinging to those words.
Reassured.
Protected.
Or so she believed.
She wrapped her arms around the Witch once more—
Holding onto that warmth.
That illusion.
Then she turned and ran.
Back toward the life she had always known.
---
Unaware.
Unknowing.
---
The forest grew silent once more.
The Witch stood alone.
Watching.
Waiting.
A slow, knowing creepy smirked spread across her lips.
Her eyes gleamed with something dark ancient satisfaction.
"Welcome back…" she whispered with smirked.
A pause.
Then—
"Luna."