Chapter 3: chapter 3

Amelia woke up with a start, her chest rising and falling in rapid breaths. The dream had returned—the same one that had haunted her since childhood. It had been years since she'd last seen it. Maybe more than a decade. Why am I dreaming about the winged man again? she wondered. In her mind’s eye, she could still see the forest shrouded in mist, the towering trees casting eerie shadows. And then, there it was again—a man’s shadow with enormous black feathered wings. Though the dream always ended before she could see his face, the presence felt real, almost tangible.She lay in bed for a while, her gaze fixed on the wooden beams of the ceiling. As the memory of yesterday’s events surfaced, her heart quickened. The forest had been unusually silent, save for the crunch of leaves beneath her feet. Then she had seen it—pale blue eyes glinting in the shadows, half-hidden by tree branches. She had only glimpsed a human-like face framed by jet-black hair."Could it have been an animal?" she whispered to herself, trying to dismiss the idea of anything supernatural. "No," she quickly rejected the thought. No animal had a human-like shape. None had eyes like those—eyes that held an eerie, almost ethereal glow.Not many people go into that forest And who would climb so high up a tree just to play a prank?Her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp voice of her mother. “Why are you lying there with your eyes wide open? Get up, you lazy girl!”Amelia sighed and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The chill of the wooden floor sent a shiver through her, but it was enough to shake her out of her musings.Amelia’s family lived in humble circumstances, barely scraping by. Her father worked tirelessly, venturing deep into the forest to collect wood, which he sold in the village market. Amelia contributed by gathering herbs from the forest, which they also sold to make ends meet. Despite their efforts, poverty clung to them like a shadow, evident in their modest home and simple meals.Because of their lower social status, Amelia didn’t have many friends. The other girls in Riverfield Village often looked down on her, dismissing her as a poor girl unworthy of their company. Yet, ironically, they envied her beauty—how could a poor girl of low status possess such angelic features? Their jealousy only deepened their resentment. Amelia, however, ignored their spite, carrying herself with quiet dignity.After a quick breakfast of porridge, Amelia headed to the garden. Her mother had planted vegetables in the small patch of soil at the front their house, and it was her duty to water them every morning. Her room faced the forest, and beneath her window, she had carefully planted a row of flowers—a rare luxury in their modest life. She leaned down to water the flowerbed when her eyes caught something unusual on the ground.It was a feather. But not just any feather—this one was enormous, sleek, and black as midnight. It shimmered faintly in the sunlight, as though woven from silk and shadow. She picked it up, marveling at its smooth texture. It wasn’t from any bird she knew of."Amelia!" The voice startled her, and she turned to see Lucy, her closest friend, hurrying toward her. Lucy was the only person in the village who treated her as an equal. They had grown up together, sharing secrets, dreams, and the occasional mischief. Her only solace came from Lucy, her childhood friend and neighbor who lived just across the narrow path. Lucy’s father was a merchant, often away from home for long stretches of time. Lucy’s kindness had never been influenced by status or wealth, and the two shared a bond that no amount of gossip or envy could break. For Amelia, Lucy was a reminder that genuine friendships could exist, even in a world often ruled by appearances and prejudice.“What are you doing here?” Lucy asked, her breath slightly labored. “Your mother’s looking for you. She’s angry again.”Amelia slipped the feather into her apron pocket, deciding to keep it to herself for now. “I’m coming,” she said, brushing dirt off her hands. Together, they hurried back to the house.Her mother stood by the door, arms crossed and an exasperated expression on her face. “Why are you so slow?” she snapped. “Will you take all day just to water a few plants? Your father needs help in the market, and I have to go now. The food is ready in the kitchen—make sure you eat on time. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your brother. Finish the chores that are left. You’re not a little girl anymore, Amelia—so start acting like it. And no wandering off into that forest!"“Yes, Mother,” Amelia replied softly, lowering her gaze. She knew better than to argue. Her mother gave Lucy a quick nod before hurrying off down the path to the village.