Mary still didn't know what to do. The storm behind her was growing louder and closer, its howling like the angry cries of a wild beast. Fear had begun to take root in her chest, twisting tighter with every gust of wind. Ahead, the forest loomed just as dark and ominous as it had from the beginning — like a forbidden gate to something unknown. The shadows overlapped, and the weak light of the sky barely slipped through the tangled branches above.
Everything was changing too quickly. Mary stood frozen between two opposing worlds. Her eyes flicked from the storm to the forest and back again. Maybe someone would come. Someone who could lead the way. Someone who could help her escape this confusion. Maybe...
But minutes passed. And no one came.
She took a deep breath, but it did little to calm her racing heart. The storm terrified her, but the forest didn't feel any safer. She didn't want to go in, but she also couldn't turn back. Not yet. Not alone.
For a moment, she almost turned around. Maybe it wasn't too late. But before she could take even one step, she heard soft footsteps beside her. A girl in green silently walked past and stood close.
With a calm yet firm voice, the green-clad girl said, "Come. It's time."
Mary stepped back, startled. "When did you get here? I didn't see you. Why is your face covered? Why are you wearing a mask?"
The girl smiled. Her eyes sparkled from behind the mask. "I've been here the whole time. You just didn't notice. When I saw you were afraid, I came closer. I covered my face because of the storm. I'm going into the forest too. It's better not to go alone. Will you come with me?"
Mary looked at her with hesitation, then turned her gaze back to the forest. Something inside her whispered no… but another voice whispered maybe…
Softly, she said, "But… are you sure? The storm doesn't seem that bad. The girl in yellow said it wasn't dangerous. The forest is too dark… too frightening. Are you really going in there?"