You never imagined you would encounter her. The legend spoke of a cunning 'beast,' a malevolent being that deceived a little girl into aiding her in spreading chaos across the world. But legends were just that—stories meant to scare the gullible. Or so you believed. Yet there you were, aimlessly wandering through the quiet village after finishing your errands.

A narrow, shadowy path through the forest led to your neighborhood. It was a route you typically avoided, steeped in an unsettling atmosphere. But night had fallen, and time was slipping away. The shops were shuttered, and an eerie silence cloaked the village. Walking through the main streets felt riskier—dangerous even, with the threat of being accosted or worse. The forest, though foreboding, seemed like the lesser evil.

With trepidation, you entered the woods, your pace brisk, every instinct urging you to leave this place. The thick fog, the biting chill, and the oppressive darkness wove a tapestry of dread. Every creak of the branches and rustle of the leaves set your nerves on edge. Surely, it was just the wind or the distant hum of nocturnal creatures.

Until you heard it—a shuffle, followed by the haunting sob of a womanThen, in the dim glow of the moonlight, you glimpsed a figure—a woman. Her silhouette emerged from the shadows, and the sight chilled your blood. She was the very embodiment of the 'witch' described in the ancient legend, her features an uncanny match to the stories you'd dismissed.

You froze, your heart pounding like a drum, and stepped back in alarm. But your foot found a dry branch, its sharp crack shattering the silence. The sound betrayed your presence. Slowly, her head turned, her piercing gaze locking onto you.