Whisper of the Woods

Deep in the forest, Amira followed the whisper calling her name, a sound like wind

woven with memory, until she reached an ancient tree split open like a doorway,

and inside she saw her younger self reaching out as if begging to be rescued,

only for the illusion to crumble as roots snapped shut behind her, revealing the forest

hadn’t been calling her in—it had been calling her back.