Shadow on the tree
During lunch, Matthew commented, "Seems like town's people got a wind about the recent attack that took place near the Capital city".
Alarmingly, Ann asked, "There was an attack!! Where?? Who was behind the attack?"
Matthew replied, "When I visited the Capital city last week, I heard merchants talking about the attack and how the Administrative Board have decided to keep it hidden to avoid any unnecessary commotion while trying to discern and catch who was behind the attack".
"Mr. Matthew! Do you know where exactly the attack took place or what happened in the attack?" Ann asked.
Matthew nodded and said, "The attack occurred in the town of Windborn!" Fixing his glasses with his index finger for a better view, he continued, "I don't know how much of this is true, but words on the street were that, there is no sign of struggle or anything and the most bizarre part is, the officials haven't found a single resident of Windborn town! It's like all the people have vanished into thin air! The houses, shops and everything is in right state with no breaking or burning!"
"Well that sounds weirder than weird! I have never in my life heard of something like this" Mr. Herondale commented and looked at Ann before saying, "Anneliese, you can leave at six before it gets dark till the Board catch the culprit behind this unnatural event".
Feeling grateful Ann replied, "Thankyou for your consideration Mr. Herondale".
After lunch, Ann spent all her time in the store with Mr. Herondale. There were only five customer who stopped by the shop. "Maybe because of the recent attack, town folks are avoiding to step out of their houses!" Ann thought in her mind.
When the clock struck at six, Ann again thanked Mr. Herondale for the job and left for home.
After walking for ten minutes, Noticing the dark clouds, Ann shook her head and murmured to herself, "Again, the unannounced rain!". In an attempt to reach home sooner, Ann decided to take the forest route which is shorter than the towns route.
Walking through the forest, Ann noted, "The clouds has turned darker than before". Feeling the drops of rain, Ann started to walk faster while opening her umbrella.
Ann knew the forest route well as since childhood, She's visiting the forest very often, sometimes to play with her sister and sometimes to gather woods or to graze their farm animals with her father.
The Shadow of trees and dark clouds turned the forest darker making it hard for her to see clearly. As if that was not enough, The downpour made it hard for her to walk faster.
When, even after walking for twenty minutes, Ann couldn't see the town, she wondered if she took the wrong turn!! Turning around, she decided to retrace the path she came from.
Ann kept walking without realizing she is moving into the deeper side of forest! She fall down on the wet land by bumping on a boulder which she failed to see because of the darkness. Standing up, she went to catch hold of her umbrella which slipped from her hand when she tripped. When she was about to pick her umbrella, it moved away from her, traveling through the air. Every time Ann reached near the umbrella, it moved further away from her because of the strong wind and she cursed herself for taking the forest route!! Finally, when she got hold of the umbrella, she looked around and realized she has no clue where she is in the forest!! Fear started to crawl in her mind but she refused to give up and began walking in the direction which she thought will lead to her town.
Thankfully, the rain stopped, leaving the pin drop silence except for the sound her footsteps on the wet land.
Even after walking for an hour Ann couldn't find the right path!! Feeling tired, she leaned on a tree and closed her eyes before resting her head on the tree. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes. Hearing a sound coming from above, she looked up and Noticed a dark shadow on the tree, her eyes widened in horror before she jumped away from the tree!!!