Raine dashed through the woods as the rain poured heavily. Her fiery red hair clung to her face, wild and untamed, glowing like embers even in the storm. She squinted against the downpour, her golden eyes flashing with determination as she spotted the warm light of her house across the road. Her heart pounded, and she pushed herself to run faster.
She tiptoed through the doorway, her curvy frame moving lightly, almost silently. Just as she thought she'd made it to her room—
"And where do you think you're going?"
Her mother's sharp voice froze her. Raine turned, guilty, catching her mother's piercing gaze from the dining room.
"Oh, hi, Mum. I was just… taking a night stroll before it started raining." She gave her practiced innocent smile, the one that made her striking features seem even more angelic.
"How many times have I told you? Once it's eight, you are not meant to leave the house! And I know you went to that creepy forest again!" Her mother's voice was tight with anger, but under it was something else—fear.
"But Mum, I wasn't coming from the forest."
"Don't you dare lie to me, Raine." Her mother stood now, her expression hard. "Where else would you be at this hour? You have no friends you talk to. So tell me, where were you?"
Raine sighed, lowering her head, letting her soaked crimson hair curtain her face. "Okay… I was coming from the forest. But it isn't creepy at all. In fact, it's beautiful. You should see it one day." She lifted her chin, her golden eyes shimmering with excitement.
"Raine," her mother's tone softened. "There is a reason everyone avoids that forest. No one goes there except you. Baby, please stay away from it. It's dangerous."
Raine wanted to argue, but the pleading look on her mother's face broke her resolve. "…Okay, Mum," she relented.
Her mother hugged her tightly, relief flooding her voice. "Thank you, baby."
But as Raine lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, she knew she could never stay away. There was something about the forest that pulled at her—like it was calling her name.
And outside, in the dripping shadows of the trees, unseen golden eyes blinked once in the darkness.