As a child, I was always petrified by a tale my grandmother often read me. The story told of a girl (Tiana) who loved playing outside. All the magical trees surrounding her, bushy long grass that tickled her leg each step she took. She frequently would wander the woods, pinning her hopes on accidentally coming across a hidden kingdom. Tiana dreamt of becoming a princess, a hero to all, just like any other young girl. She never told anyone of her explorations.

   One late evening, she was wandering as usual when she found a breadcrumb path. She knew that she shouldn’t isolate herself into the unknown forest, but she was a curious young girl.

  She trudged gracefully alongside the breadcrumbs, until she came upon an immense tree. Beside the tree layed another young girl, only her backside visible. Tiana hollered out to the girl, “Are you okay?” No response. Again she called, “Can you hear me?! Are you okay?’ And yet, no response. Tiana was visibly uneasy. Tiana’s waist began to slowly turn away from the girl, but her head still cocked at the girl. At that moment, she took her eyes off the girl. Not even one step in, she heard a faint “Help.” Her body bolted back towards the girl, who was still in the same position. “Hello?” she called out softly. She had the slightest bit of fear in her tone. “I’m injured and can’t get up, will you help me?” A voice came from the almost lifeless body. Tiana dashed over to the girl, she had a concerned expression on her face. She fell to her knees beside the girl. Tiana began incessantly questioning the girl, still not able to see the girl’s face. Just then, Tiana heard something vocalize, “Please, help me,” a vile chuckle came only seconds afterwards. But, this voice didn’t come from the girl, it’s almost as if it came from the forest itself. She twisted around swiftly, only to see nothing behind her. She turned back towards the girl. Only now, the girl’s face was shown. However this was not a girl whatsoever.

  Hollow, black eyes stared back at Tiana, nothing but a dent for a nose, only the mouth remained, which was shaped into a smile reaching the creature’s ear holes. even though the creature did not have eyes, you could tell when they were following you. Tiana jumped up in terror, there she stood frozen looking back at the creature. Just as she was beginning to turn, she felt a heavy weight around her waist. A dark black shadow wrapped its hefty tentacles around her, and dragged her farther into the wicked forest. 

Easy to say, she never got her happy ending