The Hunter In The Woods

‘Unlock the Kalviyre.’ These words ring in Heidi’s head, drowning out every other sound.

She watches the woman’s lips move without hearing the words; she doesn’t care to read them either.

Everything starts to blur until the woman’s face fades to that of the old, wrinkled lady, who seems genuinely concerned for the younger one.

“Are you okay?” she asks softly, and Heidi jerks back to reality, looking around with eyes wide open.

She barely registers the old lady’s presence and would’ve stumbled on the latter if she didn’t hold tight onto the sink.

She leans over it to splash her face once more—this time with force, as if trying to shake off the lingering fog in her mind.

The old lady stands patiently and lets the girl have her moment. Then when Heidi rises to her full height, ready to speak up, she listens carefully.

“I started having these weird dreams after I met Hunter…” Heidi begins while looking into the mirror, noting how the bandage on her forehead has disfigured from the scrubbin