The Tree Which Steals Life

Autumn has arrived in the kingdom of the sultan.

" Autumn is that time of year when all the tree start to lose their leaves " said Asia.

" Autumn is a sad time for nature but it is also a natural part of nature " said Hadil.

Asia and Hadil looked at Anna and could see that Anna was lost in thought.

" I heard that the sultan is sick " said Hadil.

" WAIT WHAT! " yelled Anna.

" So that is what gets your attention " said Hadil with a smile.

Anna just looked at Hadil.

" Please don't ever joke about something like that " said Anna.

" What is bothering you Anna " said Asia.

" The two sons of the kind flower shop lady are missing. I am just wondering where they could have gone " said Anna.

" Don't worry. I am sure that they will turn up eventually. In the meantime let us go and eat some cake " said Hadil.

" Some cake would be good. Anna are you coming " said Asia.

" Sure " said Anna.

Later.

Anna had looked in the entire kingdom and could not find the two missing boys so Anna went to one of the nearby forests.

" What makes you so sure that they are here " said Azi.

" I am not sure. I am only looking " said Anna.

" Either way. That cake was amazing " said Azi.

" It was truly magnificent. It is no wonder why the baker is famous in the kingdom " said Anna.

" Let us go there tomorrow " said Azi but before Anna could answer. Anna noticed something strange in the forest.

" What is it Anna? " said Azi.

" It is autumn right now so all the trees have weathered and yet this one looks perfect. All its leaves are green and the branches look healthy

too " said Anna as she was inspecting the strange tree.

Suddenly Ana yelled " ANNA LOOK OUT! "

But before Anna could do anything. Some branches from the strange tree gripped and wrapped themselves around Anna.

" What is going on?! " said Azi.

" This tree is called Jubokko it is a yökai tree that steals the life and blood of humans to survive " said Ana.

Anna was struggling to get out of the grip the branches had on her and Azi was doing her best to help Anna out but then Anna noticed that one of the branches changed its shape into a tube ready to suck Anna's blood right out of her.

Anna now started to sweat as the tube was getting closer to her body but that was when Ana had enough and started to burn some parts of the yökai tree forcing it to release Anna.

Anna was finally free and immerdarely kept her distance from the tree.

" Do you think that this tree is the reason why the two boys have gone missing " said Azi.

" I am not sure but there is only one why to find out " said Anna.

Anna was now walking towards the yökai tree.

" Anna what are you doing?! " said Azi but Anna just kept on walking towards the tree that steals life.

Anna was now close to the tree so the yökai tree charged its tupe branches towards Anna but they could not touch Anna no matter many times they tried.

" What is going on? It is like the tree is no longer capable of hurting Anna " said Azi.

Anna's eyes were glowing as she put her right hand on the tree.

The yökai tree slowly started to vanish and after a few seconds. The tree could no longer be seen within the forest.

After the tree had vanished Anna saw what she was fearing.

Anna saw the corpses of the two missing boys where the yökai tree once was.

Anna was silent and even Azi and Ana did not say a word.

Anna walked back to the kingdom with sorrow in her heart.

Anna walked to the flower shop owner (who was the mother to the missing boys) and then Anna told her how her two sons would never come home.

The shop owner cried with sorrow and despair and Anna stayed with her from noon to night and then dawn and the shop owner was crying the whole time.