A Flower Among Wolves

He Knows Me? No He Don't.

Their gazes lingered, just like invisible threads between them, as if some silent understanding had sparked into life. But then, breaking the moment, she looked away, flustered, her eyes darting to the window.

"Could you… just come with me?" she asked. "I want to go outside and breathe the fresh air."

"Of course, just follow me," he said gently.

They stepped outside, the cool breeze rustling around them, making their way up a small hill. She stood at the cliff's edge, taking in the sweeping mountain range stretching along the horizon. "I used to come up here," she murmured, more to herself than to him. "I'd stand at the top and look out at the world… everything seemed so small in that moment—including me." She turned toward him, her eyes thoughtful, searching. “Nature is full of mysteries, isn’t it?”

"Yes, I’ve always felt that way too," he replied. "I think everything in nature can speak. Listen…" He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath.

The leaves whispered in the breeze, mingling with the soft flap of birds’ wings and the quiet rhythms of their breathing and heartbeats.

She watched him closely, her heart stirring with an unexpected sense of recognition. He really understands me, she thought, a soft smile forming on her lips.

They lay down on the grass, side by side. Silence wrapped around them, but it was the kind of silence that didn’t need to be broken. After a moment, he slowly reached for her hand and, all at once, clasped it tightly. She looked down at their joined hands, surprised by the sudden warmth, yet she didn’t pull away.

The wind brushed past them, and for a moment, everything felt peaceful, perfect.

Then, from far off, came the sound of bells and footsteps. "My family is back," he said. "You should meet them. They’ll love you!"

Her face drained of color. "No way! They’re hunters!" she said, alarm flashing across her face.

"Listen, you’re not a wolf anymore."

"True, but… but I’m still scared of them."

"Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. And besides, they’re good people. Hunters just rely on the forest to survive, just like wolves do. We all live by the same rules. You hunt to survive, too. They’re not bad. We’re all the same—just creatures finding food through our own efforts. So don’t be afraid. Just be yourself, like when you’re with your family."

She paused, "I don’t have a family. Not even a friend."

"You don’t know me at all, you liar!" she said, her voice trembling. Then, without warning, she turned and dashed into the deep forest.

He chases after her, trying to grab her arm, but failed.

"Wait! Where are you going? It’s getting dark. You’ll get lost in the forest!"

She ran swiftly, wild as she once was. Agile, fierce, relentless—it felt so good that she didn’t stop until her lungs burned and her legs trembled with exhaustion.

Finally, she slowed, stumbling to a halt beside a small, moonlit stream. She knelt down, gazing at her reflection in the water—clean, pale skin, blue eyes, and her long, tangled gray hair. She reached up to touch it, the memories rushing back in an overwhelming wave......