Dorothy's POV:
I was a wreck after crying in Mrs. Amelia's lap. When I finally regained my composure, a wave of shame mercilessly engulfed me as I tried to hide my face with my hands. The fact that Mr. Julian and Mrs. Amelia burst out laughing only made me want to bury myself in the ground even more. After a few moments of silence, something touched my shoulder. It was Amelia.
- Dorothy, now that there are no more secrets between us, I'd like to be completely honest with you.
I flicked my fingers slightly to scan the space. Amelia's kind face clearly showed a firm resolve.
- ...You... Dorothy, would you really like to become our daughter?
- !
Her proposal hit me like a bull charging at full speed. I unconsciously lowered my hands only to be met with a sincere gaze. A wave of happiness surged through my chest. A few tears threatened to spill again from the corner of my eye. I didn't know what to say. However, the mere suggestion had made me completely happy to hear it.
- I-
"Sister"
But before I could actually respond, memories flooded my mind. A little girl came running towards me with a freshly picked flower. Her smile, pure and beautiful, made me want to hold her in my arms.
"Little one"
At the same time, a tall, handsome man with a red orb on his shoulder called to me. He wore armor as he extended his hand. His confident yet awkward smile made me feel I couldn't leave him alone.
I knew it subconsciously. Accepting this proposal would mean leaving behind that pure girl I'd watched grow up and that clumsy hero who couldn't even heal his own wounds. I unconsciously bite my lip.
- Is something wrong, Dorothy?
I look up to find them both staring at me with concern. Happiness clashes head-on with worry, leaving my head in turmoil. I'm sure I'll be happy staying with them, but at the same time, I can't stop thinking about Nath and Erick. Like a tornado, my thoughts swirl around in my head, unable to reach a resolution.
- I'm sorry.
A hand gently strokes my head. My thoughts stop as Amelia looks at me sympathetically.
- You don't have to answer right now. I know you have a lot on your mind, so there's no need to reply. But I just want you to consider my proposal as a change of scenery. You've spent so much time amidst problems and tragedies that you probably can't see yourself living a normal life, but I'd like you to at least reconsider.
- …
After a few seconds, she got up and started clearing the table while Julián helped her. My head was spinning again, unable to think of anything clearly. Amelia's words joined the whirlwind in my mind. I said a brief goodbye to them and ran to my room. When I closed the door, the silence of the room was punctuated by the sounds of nature and the wind.
- What should I do?
I leaned against the door and plopped down, sitting on the floor. Before I knew it, thousands of memories flashed before my eyes. The fun times I had with my parents. Nath's tantrums. When she would give me flowers to apologize. The first flower Nath ever planted. Erick's heroic figure as he took down the slave traders. His awkward smile as he tried to pretend he wasn't hurt. How high the world seemed on Erick's shoulders. The taste of the clumsy dish Erick made.
All sorts of happy moments flashed before my eyes. The question that consumed my mind remained the same.
- Can I really leave all that behind?
My hand lightly touches my stomach where it's burned. A slight tingling accompanied by a scaly sensation.
- There were many bad times too.
The bandit attack on our house. Dad's death. When I was separated from Mom. The days with the slave traders before I met my teachers. When Vulk took Erick's body to prevent us from dying. The deep pain the burns caused. The curious and disgusted looks of people staring at my face. When the water hero mistook me for a witch. When I was kidnapped by Nath in the water city.
A sudden pain shoots through the entire right side of my body. As if I've suddenly returned to the moment I got the burn. I cover it with my hand as if trying to soothe my burned side. I look down as if searching for some answer while I hug my head.
....
*Crack*
A deep, almost roaring sound crashes through the house. I jump up, scanning my surroundings. The ground trembles slightly, as if a giant beast were shaking the earth.
*Grumble*
An almost unbearable creaking hits my ears before I watch in horror as the floor beneath my feet splits in two. From the center of the room, a massive root grows, slowly destroying everything in its path.
- What is this?
Small red flowers that look like mouths begin to sprout from the root. A deep feeling of fear washes over me.
- "Hello, can you hear me, sister?"
- ...Nath?
- "I'm glad you can recognize me! Come on, hurry up and climb onto the branch. Let's go home."
- Huh?
I stare incredulously at the plant in front of me. Then a wave of worry hits my chest as I realize something.
- Nath, what happened to Amelia and Julian?
- "Who...? I don't know anyone by that name."
- The people who were in the bedroom downstairs.
- "...Oh, them! Don't worry about them. They tried to destroy my beautiful roots when they saw them, so I had to get rid of them."
- ...
- "Don't worry about such trivial things. Those people will never be able to hurt you again. Your sister will protect you from anyone who tries to harm us."
A sudden burst of anger hits me as I look up.
- What the hell did you—?
There, the root had taken the form of a little girl. Surprise and disgust wash away all my anger as I watch the root twist and turn to make it look like the little girl in front of me is laughing. Repulsion and fear overwhelm me as I try to run away.
- "Not so fast."
Before I can run, the girl's arms lengthen like two whips and wrap around me. Although I try to fight, it only makes the roots press harder into my skin.
- "You don't have to run, little sister. I know I'm not the same as before, but this time I'll make sure I don't lose you."
The hollow eyes of the doll-like root are the last thing I remember.
....
I jump up. Cold sweat soaks me as I breathe heavily, as if I've just gotten out of the water. My lungs gasped for air as I frantically looked around. To my surprise, the room was untouched. There was no sign of a root having ripped through the house. A faint creak of wood startled me as I stared in terror. The wind seemed to have pushed open the window next to the mirror. Just remembering the doll sent a shiver down my spine. The repulsive feeling lingered as I hugged myself to stop trembling.
- Amelia… Julián.
I got up with as much strength as my legs could muster and opened the door I'd been leaning against. I clumsily stumbled downstairs. Everything was in its place. The table, the wooden decorations that filled the house—everything seemed in order. I finally reached their room. I flung the door open to find them huddled together. Julián, startled awake by the slam, turned to look at me in a panic.
- Dorothy! Don't scare me like that!
Relief hits me like a ton of bricks. My legs slowly lower until I'm sitting unsteadily on the floor. A deep sigh of relief escapes my lips. Julian gets up while a sleeping Amelia tries to process what's happened. Without a word, Julian gently hugs me as he helps me up. As if he understands everything, he lays me down next to them. Although their warmth is comforting, I don't think I'll sleep tonight.
......
A gentle breeze rustles through the trees around me. Leaves carried by the wind flutter like butterflies around me. With a touch of nostalgia, I gaze at the lake that surrounds the house. As clear as a mirror, it enriches the landscape as birds perch on it. Specks of green float on the water, stirred gently by the breeze. I hold my hair back from my eyes. The landscape, which seemed so ordinary, is now bursting with color. It's as if I've stepped into a painting.
- What's wrong, Dorothy? Did you encounter any dangerous beasts? If you'd like, we can postpone your trip.
- No, I was just thinking about how beautiful this landscape is.
- You could see it every day if you wanted.
- ...
We remained silent for a few moments. I knew Mr. Julian only wanted to mess with me, but his words had left a strange, bitter taste. But I had already made up my mind the night before. I couldn't back out now. I didn't know if what I had seen was a dream or a premonition, but I couldn't stay and cause them another tragedy. I'm not strong enough to see that dream come true.
- Dorothy!
Amelia approaches and hands me a large basket of food. The warmth that seeps through the cloth covering it warms my heart a little.
- Do you really have to go?
- ...Yes. I know it was all very sudden, but it's something I need to do. I can't just leave the important people in my life behind.
- ... I understand.
- ...
She takes me in her arms with a deep embrace. Soft sobs brush against my ear, but I choose to ignore them. I knew that if I pointed it out, I wouldn't be able to pull away from her.
- Do you know the way to the witch's house?
- Don't worry, with this map you drew for me, I definitely won't get lost.
I try to force a brave smile. I'm not sure if it works, but they smile back. They raise their hands as they wave goodbye. I slowly cross the small wooden bridge. When I reach the middle, I turn to face them.
- Ame-... No. Mother, Father. I'll definitely be back. So I hope you'll welcome me when I return.
They both stare at each other in astonishment for a second. They glance at one another before smiles bloom on their faces. Even with tears in her eyes, Amelia waves her hand energetically.
- When you come back, I'll definitely prepare a feast!
- I can't wait!
Even though we weren't that far away, we started shouting at each other as if our hearts were doing it.
- Besides, I might bring someone with me when I return!
- Bring as many as you want! I'll build as many rooms as it takes!
I can't help but smile. They are so warm and kind that my conscience aches a little. As if I were taking advantage of them. Just imagining a peaceful life with them, with Nath and Erick…
Before I knew it, they were gone. I glanced back one last time, strengthening my resolve.
- I'll get Nath back and stop her from becoming that monster.