Mira woke up to the sound of the wind calling her name.
"Mira…"
She sat up quickly. The room was dark. The voice was soft, like air passing through leaves. But there was no one there.
It had been one year since her father died. One year since the house turned cold. Her mother had changed. And the new man, Gorn, had taken over everything.
Gorn was not kind. He gave Mira hard work, no rest, and mean words. Her hands were full of cuts. Her back hurt every day. Her mother no longer smiled at her the way she used to.
Tonight, Mira felt something different. Something strange.
The wind called again. "Mira… come."
She walked to the small window and looked outside. The moon was big and bright. Below, near the forest, she saw a light dancing — not like fire, but like magic.
Her heart beat faster. She had heard old stories. Her father once told her, "The forest is full of secrets. Some are dangerous. Some can save you."
Mira had nothing left to lose.
She took her shawl and opened the door without a sound. The cold air kissed her face. The light moved again, deeper into the trees.
She followed.
Step by step, Mira walked into the darkness, not knowing where it would lead — only that something was calling her, something not of this world.
And for the first time in a long time, she felt… hope.