Lena wandered through the woods, lost in thought. She had been feeling restless all day, like there was something simmering just beneath the surface.
As she walked, the trees seemed to grow taller, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. Lena shivered, despite the warmth of the sun.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the trees. It was the same woman who had appeared to Asher in the woods - a woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair.
"Who are you?" Lena asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
The woman smiled, her eyes glinting with a knowing light. "I'm someone who knows you, Lena. I know your heart, your desires, your fears."
Lena felt a shiver run down her spine. "What do you want from me?"
The woman's expression turned serious. "I want to warn you, Lena. You're standing at a crossroads, and the choices you make will determine the course of your life."
Lena's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
The woman's eyes seemed to bore into Lena's soul. "You're going to be torn between two paths, Lena. Two loves, two destinies. And you'll have to choose which path to take."
Lena felt a surge of confusion. What was the woman talking about?
Just as she was about to ask another question, Aria burst through the trees, out of breath. "Lena, I've been looking all over for you... I was starting to get worried... What's going on?"
Lena hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I... I was just talking to... this woman."
Aria's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking to the mysterious woman. "Who is this?" she asked, her voice low and even.
The woman smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Someone who knows you, Aria. Someone who knows your secrets."
Aria's expression turned guarded, and Lena sensed a sudden tension between the two women.
Just then, the sound of horns and revving engines echoed through the woods, growing louder by the second. A group of cars came into view, speeding down the nearby road. The passengers, a group of rowdy classmates, shouted and jeered as they passed by.
"Weirdos!" one of them yelled, pointing at Aria and Lena.
The cars sped away, leaving behind a cloud of dust and an uncomfortable silence.
Lena turned to Aria, concern etched on her face. "Aria, what's going on? What did that woman mean by 'I know your secrets'?"
Aria's expression remained guarded, her eyes avoiding Lena's gaze. "I... I don't know what she's talking about."
Lena's eyes narrowed, sensing that Aria was hiding something. "Aria, tell me the truth. What's going on?"
Aria's silence only added to the growing tension between them.