Under the Northern Lights

The Shadows Behind the Trees

Morning came with a colder-than-usual bite to the air as if winter was trying to show its strength again. Naomi woke up before her alarm went off, her eyes staring at the slightly dewy window. Outside, the snow seemed to glitter under the gray morning light, enveloping the village in a piercing silence.

She moved quickly, wrapping herself in the warmth of a wool sweater before checking the gear she had prepared. This time, she was more careful. Her backpack was carefully filled: enough snacks for a few hours, spare flashlight batteries, and a small notebook with a pen strapped to the side. The thermos of hot tea was put in last, ensuring the lid was tight so it wouldn’t leak among the other supplies.

A knock on the clinic door broke the silence. The sound was firm but unhurried. Naomi stepped up to the door, her heart pounding slightly as she turned the knob.

Erik stood there, wearing a thick dark jacket full of patches of snow, as if he had been standing outside for quite some time. His eyes were sharp, but a tension in his jaw suggested nervousness. Behind him, Lily stood enthusiastically, wearing a navy blue dog jacket that fit her well. Her breath formed a slight mist in the biting morning air, adding a comical charm to the severe atmosphere.

“Ready?” Erik asked briefly. His words were simple, but his tone hinted at more than a practical question. There was something there: anticipation, maybe anxiety, or perhaps both.

Naomi swallowed, then nodded. “Yes, one moment.” She picked up her backpack and put it on with practiced movements. When she turned around, Erik was already strolling towards the path, Lily following beside him, leaving small tracks in the snow.

Naomi took a deep breath before stepping outside, the cold air instantly piercing her cheeks. The soft snow creaked under her boots, synchronizing her steps with the rhythm of the cold wind that blew slowly. In the distance, the shadows of snow-covered fir trees stood firmly as if watching over their journey.

The journey to the stone circle felt different from yesterday. The forest, although it looked the same, had a heavier atmosphere. The snow-covered tree branches seemed darker, and the sound of the wind blowing made Naomi feel like she was being watched.

Lily walked ahead, occasionally turning to Erik as if asking for directions. Erik seemed focused, his eyes observing every detail around him.

“You look more serious today,” Naomi said, trying to break the ice.

Erik glanced over, giving a small smile. “Just in case. I don't know what we'll find this time.”

Naomi nodded, though that answer didn’t exactly put her at ease.

When they finally arrived at the Circle of the Pines, Naomi felt the place’s presence more strongly than ever. The boulders stood tall amidst the snow, silent witnesses to the endlessness of time.

However, something was different today. The snow looked disturbed in the center of the circle as if something had just stood there.

The large tracks they saw yesterday appeared faintly around the circle but disappeared as they approached one side of the forest.

Erik crouched near the tracks, touching the snow with his fingertips. “This is new,” he murmured.

Naomi knelt beside him. “Do these tracks... follow a certain pattern?”

Erik nodded slowly. “It seems so. They moved around the circle, then disappeared in that direction.” He pointed to a darker path between the trees, where the trail ended.

As Naomi stood up to look closer at the circle, she noticed something strange on one of the stones. There was a faint carving on its surface, something she hadn’t noticed yesterday. The carving looked like an ancient symbol, a small circle with zigzag lines around it.

“Erik, look at this,” Naomi called out.

Erik approached, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the symbol. “I’ve never noticed this before,” he said astonishedly.

“What do you think it means?” Naomi asked.

Erik shook his head. “I don't know. But it looks like a deliberately made mark. Maybe this has something to do with the trail.”

Lily suddenly made a low sound, almost like a growl, and stood upright with her tail raised. Naomi and Erik were instantly alert, their eyes looking in the same direction as Lily.

Naomi could swear she saw something move among the trees’ shadows, an oversized silhouette that disappeared quickly.

“You saw that?” whispered Naomi, feeling her heart beat faster.

Erik nodded, pulling Lily close. “We're not alone here.”

Erik and Naomi stood in tense silence, listening for any sounds that might indicate the creature’s presence. However, apart from the softly blowing wind, there were no other sounds.

“We should go,” Erik said finally. “Today, we're not prepared enough to deal with whatever it is.”

Naomi felt reluctant to leave the place, but she knew Erik was right. “Tomorrow? Or do we come back tonight?”

Erik looked at her, his eyes thoughtful. “Tomorrow. We need more preparation, maybe bring extra equipment. But I'll go back tonight myself to make sure there's nothing dangerous.”

Naomi was about to argue, but Erik’s stern expression made her refrain. “All right. But be careful.”

On the way back, Naomi felt their silence was complete within unspoken emotions. Erik seemed more introverted than usual, his mind busy thinking about what they had just seen.

However, Naomi didn’t want to let fear overcome her. “You’ve been exploring this forest for a long time, right? Is this the first time you’ve seen something like that?”

Erik nodded, though he didn’t turn his head. “Yes. I’ve heard stories from the old people in the village, but I always thought they were just legends.”

“And now?” Naomi pressed.

Erik paused for a moment before answering. “Now I feel like the legend might be more real than I thought.”

After returning to the clinic, Naomi felt uneasy. She wrote down what she saw and felt that day in her notebook.

“The footprints, the symbols on the stone, and the shadows moving between the trees... they all feel like pieces of a huge puzzle that I don’t understand yet. Erik knows more than he’s letting on, but I feel he’s still searching for answers. This forest was mysterious, but somehow I wasn't afraid. I feel like... being called.”

She closed her notebook and looked out the window. The snow continued slowly falling, and the aurora lights again decorated the night sky. This time, the colors were stronger, mixed with purple and pink, as if hinting at something big to come.