The Forest wants her Ovaries

"Do you ever feel like something’s watching you?” Amelia Hart asked, her breath fogging in the cold air as she and her best friend, Lila, walked home. Lila snorted, adjusting the scarf around her neck. “Only when I pass Old Man Ritcher’s house. That man gives me chills.” They both laughed, their boots crunching softly on the gravel road. Eldergrove was peaceful this time of night. Tucked into the hills and wrapped in forest, the town was the kind of place that carried old magic in its bones. People here didn’t just tell stories; they believed in them. Amelia did too. Maybe a little too much. She glanced at the trees bordering the road. Silverwood Forest loomed on the edges of town, ancient and thick. The kind of place that knew secrets. “There’s something about those woods,” she murmured. Lila rolled her eyes. “You and your fairy tales. I swear, one day you’re going to walk in there and never come out.” “Maybe,” Amelia said with a grin. “But at least I’d have a good story.” They reached the town square and paused. Lila glanced at her watch. “Gotta go. Early shift at the bakery. Don’t go ghost hunting tonight, okay?” “No promises,” Amelia replied, waving her off. She stood alone for a moment, feeling the cool air settle into her bones. Then, as if pulled by something unseen, she turned and looked toward the trees. Amelia (thinking): "Why do I always end up wandering near these trees?" "Maybe I just want to feel like I’m part of something bigger." "Everyone thinks I’m strange for loving the old legends." "Let them talk. They don’t feel the pull like I do." "Still… what if I’m just imagining it?" "No. This feeling—it’s real. It has to be." "The air always changes when I’m near Silverwood." "Like it’s waiting for something. Or someone." "Maybe I’m crazy, but I think it’s waiting for me." "And tonight… I think I’m finally ready to listen." "I just need to understand what this is all about" A shiver passed through her, but it wasn’t fear. It was more like anticipation. She tugged her jacket tighter around her. The cold didn’t usually bother her, but tonight it settled deep in her bones. “Maybe I just want to feel like I’m part of something bigger,” she whispered. The forest seemed darker than usual. Quieter. And the strangest feeling settled over her—a pull. Not a voice. Not a sound. Just a sensation, deep in her chest, like the woods were waiting for her. Without thinking, she walked. The moment she crossed into the tree line, the world changed. The air stilled. Town sounds faded behind her, swallowed by the thick silence of the forest. Her breath was loud in her ears. The frost-covered ground crunched under her boots. She kept walking. Branches arched overhead, forming a canopy that shimmered with moonlight. The trees stood tall and ancient, watching her. She didn’t know where she was going, only that she had to keep moving. And then she saw him. In a clearing bathed in soft silver light stood a man. Tall. Still. With dark, windswept hair and eyes the color of frozen lakes. He didn’t move. Neither did she. “I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, his voice low and gentle. “You didn’t,” she replied, heart thudding. They just stood there for a moment, uncertain but strangely calm. It should have felt awkward, maybe even terrifying. But it didn’t. It felt like something old had finally clicked into place. She broke the silence. 'I’m Amelia.” “Duncar,” he answered. She smiled nervously. "Is that your first name or…?" "Only name that matters," he said, and a flicker of amusement played on his lips. "Do you live out here?" "In a way. The forest knows me." Amelia raised an eyebrow. "That’s cryptic." "Maybe. But it’s true." "Well, I don’t think the forest knows me." "It will." She paused. "Okay, now you’re the one being creepy." He laughed. It was a low, soft sound, "You’re not afraid." "Should I be?" He tilted his head. "Most people don’t come this far in. Not without a reason." "Maybe I was looking for one." "Or maybe something was looking for you." Her skin prickled. "Are you talking about you or… something else?" He didn’t answer. She stepped forward, into the clearing. "Okay, so what are you doing out here, really?" "Waiting." "For what?" "For you, maybe." Her breath caught. "That’s—" "Too much?" He raised his hands. "Sorry. I’ve been alone a long time. My social skills might be a bit..." "Forest-y?" He chuckled. "Exactly." A silence settled between them. Amelia glanced at the moon.They talked. Not about anything urgent. Just words that flowed easy and warm, like they were catching up after time apart. She told him about Eldergrove. He asked questions about stories she loved. Forest myths. Old magic. At some point, she stopped wondering why he was there. Eventually, she noticed how high the moon had climbed. “I should go,” she whispered. "I know." She looked back at him. "Will you be here tomorrow?" He didn’t move. Just said, "You’ll see me again." She nodded slowly. "Okay." She turned, heart pounding, and walked back through the trees. As the forest closed behind her, she whispered, "What was that?" --- Later that night, Amelia lay in bed, eyes wide open. "Lila’s gonna kill me," she murmured. Outside, the trees swayed gently. But she could feel it—something had shifted. Something had awakened. She didn’t know what to say to that, so she turned and walked away. When she looked back, the clearing was empty. That night, lying in bed, Amelia couldn’t stop thinking about Duncar. She replayed every word, every look, trying to understand the strange calm that had come over her. It wasn’t fear she felt. It was something deeper. Outside, the wind rustled the trees. Something had woken up in Silverwood. And it had found her.