The sky was bright blue above her, the grass soft and warm beneath her bare feet. Woodland creatures watched her from all around, their large, curious eyes unblinking. Nia smiled at them, sent them her greetings, but they didn’t respond. Thinking nothing of it, she continued on her path and came to a footbridge across a forest stream.There, her step slowed. It was a plain enough bridge, three flat, even planks laid side by side across the stream. Nothing to cause alarm. Yet she felt the tension in the earth as it waited. The stream glistened like magic, singing songs she could almost understand. It called to her, beckoned her closer. But the sight of the bridge held her back.It didn’t belong. Whatever it was, it ought not be here.But, though she knew this, Nia couldn’t stop herself from stepping closer. The grass hugged her feet, the blades sliced skin, but the sting was soothed by morning dew. Another step closer. Close enough to see the grooves in the wood.Close enough to see the planks had rooted themselves into the bank as though still alive.
