Chapter Text
The rough, uneven road made Maria flinch with every jolt. She gripped the wheel, wondering if her little car could survive the winding forest path. The tires squealed in protest. The entire vehicle rattled as she pressed forward. This retreat was supposed to be a chance to relax, but so far, Maria felt anything but.
Finally, she reached the cabin she had rented for her impromptu vacation. It looked sturdier and larger than she had pictured. A small comfort after the nerve-wracking drive. Stepping out of the car, Maria glanced at her phone—no signal. Well, that's what she expected. Still, the sight of those empty bars in the corner of the screen made her a bit uneasy. She was truly cut off here. Alone with the trees and her thoughts.
This was supposed to rekindle her creative spark. Maria was a writer in theory, but lately she struggled to write anything more than a sentence. Her sister suggested a change of scenery to help shake things loose. Maria took the advice, though she wasn’t fully convinced it would work. A new setting might help, but what if the problem wasn’t where she was, but something deeper? What if she wasn't able to ever write again?
Maria cringed at her own melodrama. Sure, it had been over a year since she was last able to successfully complete anything, but that could be for all sorts of reasons like... Well, if she knew, she wouldn't be alone in some unfamiliar forest, she supposed.
Using the code the owner texted, Maria retrieved the key from the box by the door. As she opened the door, she was greeted by the cozy warmth of the cabin’s interior. The kitchen and living room blended together and were only separated by a change in flooring. Towards the back, were three doors. The first led to a bedroom with a queen bed. A thick checked comforter and a blanket with little black wolves adorned it. The single lamp on the nightstand, along with a modest window, seemed to be the only sources of light.
The second door revealed a small closet stocked with extra blankets, pillows, and towels. The final door opened to a cramped bathroom. Much smaller than she had hoped. The toilet and sink were so close she could wash her hands without standing up. The narrow shower stall unpleasantly reminded her of her old dorm. Still, if that was her biggest complaint maybe this trip wouldn’t be so bad after all.
After dropping off her bags in the bedroom, Maria returned to the front of the cabin and settled on the porch. She fiddled with her pen, staring past the blank page in her lap to the dense woods that stretched in front of her. The sounds drifting from the trees were so different from the constant drone of the city. Every chirp and rustle made her wonder what was living beyond the wall of trees. After what felt like an eternity, she sighed and stood up. Despite her desire, it didn't seem like her writer's block was disappearing that soon.
As she reached for the door, a faint whine echoed from the woods, stopping her in her tracks. It sounded like an injured animal, though Maria couldn’t be sure. Writing frustration forgotten, she turned from the door taking a hesitant step toward the trees. Curiosity and concern pulling her into the forest.
When Maria neared the shadowy edge of the woods, the rumble of a loud truck shattered the stillness. The rusty red pickup came to a stop, the engine idling loudly before shutting off and a tall, broad-shouldered, thickly built man, climbed out of the cab. His wild red hair gave him almost a feral look.
"You must be Maria.” His deep voice carried a casual tone. He wore an aloof look on his face, walking toward her with an unhurried stride. Hands shoved in his pockets, he was obviously a local.
"I am. And you are?” Maria kept her tone cool but polite. Keeping her guard up, she eyed the stranger warily. He didn’t seem threatening, but she knew better than to trust appearances.
"Genjuro Kazanari.” He said while offering his hand. The name clicked in Maria’s mind. She felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. Genjuro was the owner of the cabin. She hesitated only for a moment before reaching for his outstretched hand. She hadn’t expected him to visit while she was here, but it made sense. It was his property, after all.
"It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Kazanari. Your cabin is beautiful.” Maria gave him a polite smile as she released his hand.
“You can call me Genjuro,” he replied, his voice warm despite the lack of a smile. “Sorry for the surprise visit, but with no phone or internet up here, I wanted to make sure you settled in okay.”
"Oh! I have. Thank you.” Maria genuinely appreciated the break from the constant notifications. She had been looking forward to being unplugged from the buzz of the city.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Genjuro placed his hands on his hips, stretching backward. His posture relaxed. “If anything comes up, my niece will be around. You can always reach out to her if you need help during your stay.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Maria wasn’t sure what he meant by his niece 'being around'. As far as she could tell, there was nothing here but the cabin and the surrounding wilderness. Which reminded her of the cries she heard earlier. “By the way, what kinds of animals live around here?”
Genjuro rubbed his chin thoughtfully while looking off. “Just the usual—squirrels, deer, foxes, wolves, bears—”
“Bears?” Maria couldn’t help but react with a note of alarm.
“Yeah, but they’re nothing to worry about. Just be loud when you’re outside, and they’ll steer clear. Don’t leave your trash out, and stay indoors after dark.”
“Right…” His reassurance didn’t really soothe her nerves, but she figured wild animals just were part of being in nature.
“If you want to explore the woods, there’s a trail over here.” Genjuro walked her to an opening in the trees. Most of the undergrowth had been cleared away. “I recommend sticking to the trail if you’re inexperienced. If you wander off and get lost, it could be… difficult to find you.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.” There was something foreboding in his words. Maria wondered if he knew she’d been about to venture into the woods when he arrived.
“Any more questions?” Genjuro seemed to be studying her closely.
“Um, no, not really.” Maria suddenly felt self-conscious. She felt she should have more to ask but didn’t know how to even begin.
“Alright then.” Genjuro turned to head back to his truck. “Remember, if you need anything, my niece will be around.”
He ducked into the cab, closed the old door with a metallic groan, speeding off the way he came.
After the curious meeting with Genjuro, Maria decided to explore the forest. She needed to clear her head. Whatever creature had been crying earlier had gone silent. Hoping for the best, Maria chose not to dwell on why. She found her way back to the path and started down it. The trail was even and well cleared, suggesting the Kazanaris took care to keep it that way.
As she walked, Maria tried to take in her surroundings. She was here to find inspiration. To refresh herself. Otherwise, this trip would be a waste. Spotting a large rock, Maria walked over, climbed on top, and sat cross-legged. Closing her eyes, she steadied her breathing and focused on the sounds of the forest. The rustling of squirrels, the songs of birds, the crunch of… footsteps?
“What are you doing?” The sudden voice shattered her calm, and Maria slipped backward with a yell, landing on the hard ground. Thankfully, the soft leaves cushioned her fall—mostly.
She stood, brushing the forest from her clothes. Her patience at this point frayed.
“Are you alright?” The voice, now closer, had the decency to sound remorseful.
“I’m fine.” Maria turned, her irritation clear. “Do you make it a habit to scare people in the woods?”
The speaker was a girl about her age, with long blue hair and a thin face. She was bundled up in a flannel shirt, dirty jeans, and scuffed boots. Despite her rough appearance, Maria couldn’t help but notice she was strikingly pretty.
“I’m patrolling the woods,” the girl replied, eyeing Maria cautiously. “I wanted to know what you’re doing here.”
“I’m renting a cabin nearby. The owner said I could explore the area.” Maria crossed her arms, studying the girl with suspicion.
“You are? From Genjuro Kazanari?”
“Yes.”
The girl scratched her head, seeming to weigh her words. “You should leave.”
Maria blinked. “I was planning to head back anyway, but—”
“No, I mean leave altogether. Go back to wherever you’re from.”
Maria bristled at the girl’s tone. “Why would I do that? I’ve already paid to stay here. If you have a problem, take it up with Genjuro.”
The girl hesitated, then muttered, “I’ve tried. I keep telling my uncle not to rent out that place.”
“Well, he did. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” Maria turned back toward the trail, annoyed. She paused, glancing left, then right, uncertain.
“Do you need help getting back?” The girl’s voice carried a hint of amusement.
“No! I’m fine.” Maria started down one direction, but the path quickly felt unfamiliar. She huffed, turned around, trying the other path, only to find it equally strange. Embarrassed, she returned to where the blue-haired girl still stood, watching. Maria’s cheeks flushed with humiliation, feeling like a lost child.
The girl sighed. “Come on, I’ll take you back.”
With no other choice, Maria followed her down the trail, her frustration simmering as she swallowed her pride.
“My name is Tsubasa,” she said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Tsubasa walked ahead of Maria, moving quickly across the uneven ground. Maria, not quite as nimble, felt herself falling further and further behind. Each misplaced step sent small shocks of pain up her legs. Her thin canvas shoes failing to shield her from the rocks and twigs scattered along the trail. Tsubasa obviously lived here a long time. Her lithe form easily moving through the forest. Maria couldn’t stand the way the distance between them grew. Her pride still hurt from earlier.
"Right." Determined not to trip and make her humiliation worse, Maria focused her attention to the path ahead. Each step becoming more frustrating than the last, she silently cursed herself for not wearing better shoes. It was like walking barefoot over gravel.
"How long are you planning to stay here?" Tsubasa asked. Given her earlier comments, Maria suspected she was trying to see how quickly she could be rid of her.
"A month." Maria smirked, knowing her answer would upset the blue-haired girl.
“A month?” Tsubasa sputtered, turning to face Maria while still walking. Her dexterity was amazing. Maria found herself begrudgingly impressed at how effortlessly the girl navigated the trail, even backward.
“Why are you staying so long?” Tsubasa asked, displeasure clear in her voice.
"Is that any of your business?" Maria stopped walking and crossed her arms in front of her. She knew she couldn’t argue and walk at the same time and she decided the former was more important right now. "What's your problem with me, anyway?"
“I don’t have a problem with you,” Tsubasa replied, stopping as well, rubbing her arms nervously. Her gaze seemed unfocused. As if seeing something not there. “It’s just… dangerous in these woods.”
"Oh, this is all just because you're so worried about me, huh?" Maria’s voice thick with sarcasm. Her patience already thinned from the day’s failures. “How thoughtful of you.”
“I’m not lying to you!” Tsubasa shot back, her voice rising in indignation. “It really is dangerous!”
Maria rolled her eyes. “Well, so far, the worst thing I’ve run into out here has been you.” She knew Tsubasa was probably right. The woods held real dangers. But Tsubasa had rubbed her the wrong way from the moment they met. Taking her advice felt like conceding ground she didn’t want to give.
Tsubasa’s expression darkened, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Fine. Do what you want, then.” Her voice was clipped, but the tips of her ears betrayed her frustration. Nearly glowing with the red. She turned abruptly and began walking again, her steps stiff and hurried. She had clearly enjoyed this conversation as much as Maria had.
Maria stood for a moment, watching Tsubasa stalk off. She felt a flicker of fear beneath her irritation but shoved it aside. Adjusting her bag and brushing a stray twig off her leg, she began to follow. Her steps slower and heavier. If the woods were as dangerous as Tsubasa claimed, Maria figured it wasn’t the worst idea to have a guide—even one as rude as her.
The girls had been walking for what felt like forever. Maria had always considered herself athletic, but now she felt aches in muscles she didn’t even know existed. There was no way this was the same path she’d taken earlier. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if Tsubasa was actually planning to take her back. Just as the thought sent a chill down her spine, the trees began to thin. The welcome sight of the cabin appeared in the distance.
A loud sigh of relief escaped Maria before she could stop it. Tsubasa glanced back, raising a single eyebrow. To Maria’s relief, she didn’t mock her. Shocking, as Maria was certain she must look as pathetic as she felt.
“Thanks,” Maria mumbled. The long walk and lingering tension had stripped the bite from her words. She was grateful to be out of the woods. Yet, the unease lingered still. While walking among the trees, she hadn’t been able to shake a sense of vulnerability. She felt like a piece of prey walking helplessly. It was probably just Tsubasa’s earlier warnings getting to her, but the feeling had unsettled her all the same.
“Don’t mention it,” Tsubasa replied as Maria dragged herself up the cabin’s porch steps.
Maria could practically feel the girl’s gaze on her back and suppressed an irritated groan. She’d almost forgotten how annoying she was.
“Did you… want to come in?” The words came out stiffly, dragged from Maria’s lips by a reluctant sense of politeness.
“Yes, thank you.” Without hesitation, Tsubasa followed Maria up the steps, shutting the door behind her.
Maria tried not to let her irritation show, but it was exhausting. She clearly doesn’t like me, so why is she sticking around?
Once inside, Tsubasa’s behavior turned from odd to downright unsettling. She began inspecting the room—checking the windows and doors and pulling the curtains closed. Her movements were efficient and deliberate, as if she were set on high alert.
Maria folded her arms and watched her uneasily. “Would you like something to drink?” she asked, trying to break the tension.
“Tea, if you wouldn’t mind,” Tsubasa replied without even glancing at her, continuing her inspection.
I do mind, Maria thought bitterly, but what choice did she have? She trudged over to the kitchen area and filled the kettle with water, placing it on the stove. The kettle wasn’t hers—she was more of a coffee person—but it had been there when she arrived. Leaning against the counter, Maria began to rub her temples. The beginings of a headache lingering.
When she turned back around, she froze. Tsubasa was completely still, staring at her with an intensity that sent a shiver down Maria’s spine. Her blue eyes, piercing and unblinking, held none of the aloofness from earlier. Instead, her expression was sharp, focused—like she was sizing Maria up.
“W-what?” Maria stammered, but Tsubasa didn’t respond. The air between them felt heavy, charged. Maria’s breath quickened as fear clawed its way into her chest. She took an unsteady step back, then another, until her hand collided with the hot burner on the stove.
She cried out in pain, the sharp sting jolting her back to reality. The sound seemed to break whatever spell Tsubasa had been under. The girl blinked, her face softening in an instant.
“Are you alright?” Tsubasa asked, her voice low and steady, but filled with concern. She rushed forward, reaching for Maria’s hand.
Before Maria could protest, Tsubasa gently took her injured hand in her own. Her touch was firm but careful as she guided Maria to the sink, turning on the cold water. The icy flow stung then quickly soothed the burn.
Maria remained silent, staring at the rough hand holding hers. Tsubasa’s unnerving expression from earlier was gone, replaced by something almost tender. Her heart began to race—not from the pain, but from the flood of questions now circling her mind. One stood out clearer than the rest.
Just who was this girl?