Chapter 3

Fireflies were everywhere.

Diana walked on, with her shoes in her hand. She heard a wheezing sound as the wind blew past her ears. The forest was dark, with towering trees, casting shadows in every direction. It creaked and buzzed of its inhabitants; insects and animals, but Diana was not afraid. She knew every nook and cranny of the forest, Her childhood home.

Walking carefully and trying to avoid twigs, stones, or insects; the light she looked up to became brighter. Black smoke emanated from the chimney of an archaic-looking building. The large brick-story building was built on a rocky platform. It had ivy's and long strange plants that snaked their way around the house, covering the color and surface of the walls and even sneaking their way into windows.

As Diana walked on, the usual strong presence she always felt when she was younger; welcomed her. Her soul became restless as she subconsciously gasped.

Her head snaps to her right."What was that?" She whispered, Her hand trembling visibly.

"Welcome, child." A deep and confident voice announced.

Diana felt it was too loud for the night.

She faces forward, and her eyes settle on a familiar-looking woman. "Hello, mother." She whispers.

A woman, dressed in a long black gown and green cloak stood on the porch of the house, her hands clasped together on a staff that stood at her front. The woman's penetrating eyes watched Diana's every step. She had red lips, and striking green eyes that couldn't go unnoticed. Her face was white, her nose pointed, and Her dark hair was permed and packed neatly into a large bun, not tolerating any loose strand.

She watched Diana with her head turned away. "Looks like you have compromised!" she slurred.

Diana, already at the foot of her mother; bowed her head.

The woman pressed her black lips into a thin line. "You don't mix with the outside world and expect to be comfortable here...Diana. You have compromised!" She further stated.

"I am sorry mother." Diana knew better than to argue, even though she was confused at her mother's words.

Staying put, she clenches her teeth as she felt a slithering thing crawl from her toes to her tight and then underneath her skirt. The cold and rough scales of the thing brushed through on her skin. She suddenly felt goose pimples, shuddering in fear but stayed put. She could feel the peering eyes of her mother, waiting hungrily for any act of resistance.

Diana suddenly felt a bit relieved as she felt the thing crawls away, just as it came. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a large green snake crawling away from her towards her mother. It crawls towards the staff and makes itself comfortable around it.

"Why is there a cross sign at your lower back?"

Dianas' eyes widen in shock. She takes a deep breath."...it-it's just a tattoo, Mother." Diana stammered.

"Whatever it is."

"Mother, my friend, and I just decided to have it." She defended.

"So your...Friend, lured you into it?"

"No, mother! She didn't lure me." Diana said in a small voice.

"So...It was your own decision?"

"N-a-I did n-"

"Interesting! Would I be wicked if I refuse to let you sleep over...Just like we agreed?" The woman's words were as backed up by a bolt of random lightning that lit the sky.

Diana shook. "..No."

"No what?!" The woman backed.

"No mother. I am sorry!" Diana responded.

"Get lost!"

A cry escaped Diana's lips and she said. "Mother...Where would I stay?"

"I care not, child." She responds, already turning her back.

"Clean yourself up, I will see you in the morning." She says and then disappears.

…..

Diana fell on her knees. With her palm covering her face, and her face to the ground; she sobbed.

■ ■ ■ ■

She had unexpectedly dived into the water, taking in a very little amount of air into her lungs. She dared not swim to the surface of the water for fear of what could happen. As she slowly longed desperately for air, she contemplated on taking the risk.

As fast as she could she raised her head out of the water and then sucks in an even amount of oxygen.

As she dived into the lake once more, her eyes danced around in search of any dangerous-looking creature. She wandered aimlessly, hoping her chaser would finally give up on her. Her heart rate rose when she saw something that looked like a water snake. Trying her best to Steady her breathing so that further unnecessary complications would be avoided, she freezes.

■ ■ ■ ■

Diana rolled on her side as her eyes slid open. She pressed the soft surface she rested her face on with her palms. It was a pillow.

Alert, she raises her head and scans her surrounding. She was on a cream canopy bed. It had many pillows on the headboard with engraved ivy designs.

Remembering the events of the previous night, Diana sigh with a smile. "So she finally took me in...That's... Strange.

Diana slipped out of the bed, The curtains were drawn in two and As she stood, she notices the white linen that trailed behind herself.

A small frown appears on her face as she observed her outfit. White long chiffon nightwear with wide long sleeves. It had slits by the side and was transparent, revealing her undies. She smiles a bit.

"Who wore me these?" She said, walking towards the window.

The massive room was illuminated with the early-morning rising sun, giving Diana a pleasant and archaic feeling. It had pink patterned walls with a rug as well. A wooden dressing table with a matching four-legged patterned chair, a fireplace, and last but not least, a sofa; having the same pattern as the other chair.

Diana gasps when she looked out of the window. "Where am I?... Mother's house is surrounded by walls...This...Isn't."

Realization dawned on her, she gawked about; wondering the next step to take. Her alarmed face turned red as she walked towards the door. She wet her lips and hesitated, looking down at her transparent wear. Taking a deep breath, she lifts her hand to the door handle and pushed it. It didn't budge.

Now her heart rate doubled and she let out a nervous laugh. "This can't be happening." She whispered.

Swiftly, she darts to the window and looks out, Her eyes misting over as she noticed how impossible it was to get out through the window. Angrily, she roughly rubs away her falling tears with a clenched fist.

She walks towards the table, examining the top. It was empty. She pulls out the first drawer, looks for anything she could lay her hands on, and surveys the inside. It was dark, so she drives in her hands and it does the search. She pulls out a stone, it was shiny. Frowning, she drops it on the table. Next was a love-shaped silver necklace, it obviously had another half. She angrily puts it aside and picks out an odd-looking pen.

Diana clenched it in her hand and walks towards the door. She shut her eyes and inserted the key into the lock. Turning it to the side, she then removes the key and pushes the door handle.

It opens.