You chase after the fox, still unsure if this was the right decision.
It bounds into the forest, but so do you. It ducks under logs, but you jump over them. It hides in a burrow, but you cannot follow.
Frustrated you try to lure it out.
“Here little one! Don’t be afraid!”
It stays in its spot.
Sure that it wouldn’t budge, you take a step back. What a shame, could have been a friend.
You continue walking, unsure of direction, you reach the end of the woods, seemingly in another town.
But there was something wrong. It was quiet. Like everything was suspended in time, nothing could move nor call out. The houses were decreptid, old and worn down, the ivy creeped well over the walls and onto the roof. The windows were broken, the doors left adjar, as if the original citizens were chased away.
Despite the unwelcoming appearance of the town, it seemed to embrace you, accept you.
You cry a bit, the echo of your whimpers bouncing off the old structures. And in the midst of your crisis, a voice whispers in your ear.
“Child, what are you doing here?”
You turn to face the womanly voice, the face of a young dryad looks adoringly into your eyes. Her nude body was dirtied with mud and leaves, her hair was long and unkept, but despite all that, she was beautiful. You couldn’t help but blush.
“This place has been lost in time, so do sate my curiosity, why have you returned?”
You get the feeling she likes asking questions. You answer her, your voice quavering.
“I- I think I’m lost. I was supposed to stop this plague…-“
She stops you, putting her soft finger on your lips.
“I saw you treat the fox, do not fret, it will heal in time.”
She continues.
“And she will make her way home in due time.”
You sigh in relief, somehow, the news of the little fox relaxed you.
“Your fellow humans have had their crimes paid by your good deed.”
His crimes? You wonder what that meant.
“You shall have safe passage home.”
She looks deep into your eyes, her irises are a deep brown, reminiscent of a doe. She gets closer until the tip of her nose touches yours. You close your eyes, expecting a peck, but after a long silence, she is gone. You open your eyes and look around. You are back in the middle of a field. Your home is just behind you, and the forest just in front. You remember the forest that once looked malevolent and scheming, now it simply looked like a forest. A normal forest.
You smile to yourself. Wondering whether this was a pleasant dream. But you know deep down it was reality. That was the witch, and you have stopped the plague with your good actions.
You walk towards your neighbours’ home, expecting his surprise.
He was there, staring at the ground in disbelief.
An orange tail whisked between his bushes, yapping in excitement. The ground was littered with pulled weeds and toad corpses. The fox you had helped, became the bane of the weeds.
You tap your neighbour on the shoulder, he turns to you. Smiling.
“You did it! Oh god bless you.” he smiles.
You thank him for his gratitude and walk home.
Your mother was sitting on the porch, beaming.
“There you are my boy. I am so proud.” she pats you on the back, ushering you in.
The next few years are filled with excitement and glory. Your good acts inspired you to continue. Not only did your neighbours become clients, but from the next town, and the next, all the way to the big cityscapes. By age 30, you made a name for yourself, your success became well known throughout and to retirement, you lived in comfort.
END OF CHAPTER 1