7- BACK PORCH

CHAPTER TWO

-WILHELMINA-

After the dinner was finished and satisfied sighs echoed around the room, Severa and I slipped away. Raina shot me a knowing look as we quietly excused ourselves. The night was alive with starlight, painting the earth in hushed tones of silver and shadows. We began our nocturnal adventure into the forest, guided by the familiar paths that were carved into our memory.

The moon, in its haunting beauty, bathed the pathway in an ethereal glow. Its light danced on the leaves, and made the dew drops twinkle like a thousand tiny stars.

We meandered along the trodden trail, our steps quiet against the rustle of leaves beneath our feet. The forest was a symphony of sounds, where the occasional hoot of an owl could be heard harmonizing with the soft cadence of crickets, and each rustle of the trees was an interlude that added depth to the melody.

Our destination was the Old Willow – a generous giant of a tree – older than anyone could remember. Its bark was thick and gn