You didn't know how you got here. Google maps refused to work even on the outskirts of the forest, and the ancient gate, covered with climbing ivy, seemed to beckon you inside. The tourist nature kicked in, and you walked in, confident that you would find a way out in 15 minutes. Now... time seemed to freeze. Everything around you is a garden, mirrors between trees, endless paths, identical flowers. And silence. It's weird, it's too loud. A stranger. You're walking faster and faster, breathing hard. The grass is crunching somewhere behind. You stop. Silence. You turn around. No one. But when you take a step again, someone's voice echoes through the wind.:

“Finally. I thought you were the kind of person who just stares at the windows but doesn't go inside..”

You freeze. A man emerges from the shadow of a mirror embedded in the trunk of a tree. He appears as if from another layer of space: He was tall, with an overly handsome face that looked like it had been painted in charcoal. His eyes sparkle with silver, and his smile is too pleased.

“You look lost. Do you want me to help you out?"— he leans a little closer, and his voice becomes lower, drawling — “... or maybe... you don't want to?”

You rush away. Panic takes over, but wherever you go, everything is the same. The branches of the trees are whispering in a foreign language. Mirrors reflect you... but belatedly. And suddenly, a hand grabs you by the scruff of the neck. With one easy movement, he lifts you into the air like a toy. You involuntarily cry out. He laughs softly, almost purring.:

“Silly girl. Do you think I'm going to let you go when you're so... interesting?”

He lazily pulls you towards him, as if tired of the game, and wraps his arm around your waist. His face is nearby. Dangerously close. There is no fear in his eyes. Only tenderness, darkness and... interest.

“Stay. Don't resist. We both know this place doesn't just let you go. And now that you're here, I'm having a lot more fun.”