| " | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere is one rule in the game. And it needs to be broken. Go to Grandmother's house, and stay on the path. Don't let the wolf into your bed... He'll take your soul then eat your head... The words echoed in Rose's mind as she stepped off of the paved road and onto the familiar dirt path that leads to her dear grandmother's house in the woods. She knew the way well, so there was nothing to fear, let alone in the broad daylight. As she was mindlessly walking forth and recalling these points, a raven swooped down from the trees overhead and landed on the path just ahead. Rose and the bird met eyes for a moment. Something about the visual exchange tickled Rose; she smiled and approached the black bird, which only upon her nearing began to hop into the grass on the side of the path, yet staying upon the ground. She imagined that it was a resident of these parts, inviting her into its home, so she followed it a few more steps. Suddenly, just as she was about to set foot onto the grass, she was snapped back into the present moment, remembering why she was there in the first place, and the cautionary words offered by her mother. Hesitating for a moment, she contemplated this decision. She was due to call in by sundown, but what harm could come of a quick walk amidst the tranquil trees? A few steps into the woods, her feathered companion took flight and disappeared from view. Rose watched it vanish through the branches above. She lamented in awe and wonder how nice it must be to be able to fly, eyes still fixed towards the sky, then slowly panned her gaze across the wooded horizon. Another sight caught her attention in the distance, a glimpse of white amidst the expanse of earth tones. She picked up her dress and started a quick walk, careful to not take her eyes off of the source, hoping to catch up with it as it danced amongst the trees. Before long, the speck of light became a recognisable form, a girl in a white dress, literally dancing in a patch of sunlight. She looked to be about eleven years old too; so rare that Rose would meet someone her own age, let alone here of all places. Much like the raven she had encountered just a few minutes prior, upon nearing, the eyes of the two girls met, bringing the private performance to a sudden halt, but after only a brief pause, they walked towards one another, gentle smiles forming on both of their faces. The stranger laughed playfully, and ran to hide behind a tree. Rose giggled and gave chase, the two darting from one tree to the next. What followed occurred over a length of time unknown to either of the girls. Hardly a word was spoken between the two during their frolicking, yet they had suddenly seemingly become best friends. It wouldn't be saying much, as Rose didn't have any friends apart from her sisters, but this new connection felt so deep and powerful, despite having only just met. The girl in white led Rose on a tour of her wooded playground, showing key sights that her forest had to offer, and they explored and discovered new ones together as well. Rose introduced some of her own games, too, which her new companion adopted gratefully. Eventually, Rose grew tired from this unusual foray of physical activity outside her flat. Catching her breath, she sat upon the ground and let herself fall carefully backwards onto the earth. Her friend followed suit and lay beside her. There they remained happily for a few minutes, basking in each other's radiant company. Looking through the leaves overhead, however, it suddenly occurred to Rose that she had lost track of time; the sky had taken on a yellowish hue, indicating that it would be dusk before too much longer. She sat up and began to reason with herself that she needs to be on her way, continuing along the path to her waiting grandmother. The girls exchanged a look of sorrow, uncertain whether they'd see one another again. As Rose shifted to stand, she found her friend already up, offering an extended hand. She took it, and was pulled to her feet. Without letting go, the girl in white slowly led Rose through the woods that she knew so well, back to the path whence her new playmate had appeared. Rose looked at the hand she was holding, and followed it up to the girl to whom it belonged. They once again exchanged a mutual look mixed of both reluctance and gratitude; it had been an unexpectedly exhilarating day, and neither of the two wanted their encounter to have to end. A thought visibly appeared on the girl in white's face; dropping Rose's hand, she smirked and ran ahead. Rose was familiar with this game; she followed for one last round before they had to part ways. When she caught up, Rose found her mate sitting upon the flat stump of a fallen timber. She patted beside herself, beckoning for her to join. The sitting girl had to move over slightly to make room upon the small surface. Rose sat herself next to her friend, their hips pressed against one another. The girl in white placed her hand gently upon Rose's thigh, and gave her a pleasant smile of affection. She leaned over and touched her head lightly to Rose. Both sighed deeply; they revelled in their happiness with one another, and wished to make the most of their memorable time together. As such, the guide of the day's adventure had one final activity to share, which she had reserved for one whom she adored most of all...\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t | \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t