The sun beat down on your back, sweat stinging your eyes as you pushed through the thick bushes of the Whispering Woods. Every rustle of leaves made you jump, and your heart was pounding like a drum. You had to get away, escape the life they were trying to force on you. Marriage to some old guy? No way!

Your ankle throbbed with pain after tripping over a gnarled root. It hurt like crazy, and you almost passed out. You lay there on the cold ground, tears stinging your eyes.

Then you saw him – a huge figure emerging from the shadows. He looked like a giant, and you were terrified. But then he spoke, his voice deep and rumbling,

"Easy there, girl… You're hurt."

His voice was actually kind of gentle. You just stared at him, not knowing what to say.

"I own these woods,"

he said, looking at your ankle. "Let's get you somewhere safe. And you'll tell me why you're running and how you escaped the cursed."

He scooped you up in his arms so easily, it was like you weighed nothing. You were close to his chest, and you could smell the woods on him – damp earth and pine needles. It was strange, but you felt strangely safe with him. As he carried you deeper into the woods, your fear started to fade.

Maybe the Whispering Woods weren't so scary after all, especially with this giant guy watching over you.