"Yes, can we go now?" I asked, trying to steer her away from the idea of bathing in the lake. But I failed."Go where? First, we have to take a bath," she insisted.I sighed, feeling a sense of foreboding. "But I don't know where it is.""You don't have to know, just follow me," Arina said, holding my hand and dragging me along. "Arina, slow down. It's dark," I pleaded.She ignored my words, her excitement palpable as she quickened her pace. "What's up with the lake? Why are you so eager to bathe there?" I wondered aloud, trying to keep up with her.As we walked deeper into the woods, the path became more obscure. The moonlight provided some illumination, but the shadows cast by the trees made it difficult to see clearly. My mind raced with thoughts of the rumors I had heard about this place. But I pushed them aside, focusing on Arina's hand in mine.After what felt like an eternity, we reached a clearing. In the center was a small, serene lake, its surface reflecting the moonlight li

"Arina, I felt someone grabbed my throat," I coughed, my voice still shaky from the experience."Zoe, sit here," Arina said gently, guiding me to the bed. She poured water into a chalice and handed it to me. "Drink it, you'll be fine."I took the chalice and drank. The liquid was unexpectedly sweet, tasting more like honey than water. I swallowed it all, feeling a warmth spread through my chest.Arina's fingers played with my hair, her touch soothing. As I finished drinking, she seemed lost in thought. I could see a strange glint in her eyes, something both tender and unsettling.She murmured softly, "He asks so many questions, and I really don't like it. He is such a baby, and I like babies so much."The way she said it sent a chill down my spine, but the sweetness of the drink and her touch made me feel drowsy, almost hypnotized. I leaned back, trying to shake off the unease that lingered at the edges of my mind."Arina," I whispered, my voice heavy with sleep, "what was in that dri

"And one thing, you are going to die soon, don't drink too much." Arina was smiling at me."How dare you, Arina?" Her words made me mad. How dared she say that to me? Hearing me, she couldn't help but laugh. Then she ignored me and walked out of the room. I put the glass on the table angrily and followed her path. I came to the backyard of the house while following her, but Arina wasn't there. I saw her here just a moment ago. How could she disappear so quickly?I knew she had a problem, and I needed to talk to Max about it. Before leaving, I noticed an old woman in the distance. She was digging in the ground. I couldn't see her face because her back was towards me, her clothes were dirty, and her hair was unkempt. Seeing her there, I felt a strange unease inside. I couldn't stop myself from approaching her.I came near and called out, "What are you doing?"She didn't say anything but kept digging."Will you stop or want me to call someone?" I threatened.She stopped digging abruptly.

I hadn't spoken to Arina all day, caught up in the demands of work. Now, trying to call her, there was no answer."What's wrong? Did she fall asleep?" I muttered to myself, frustration creeping in. I dialed her number again, hoping for a response."Damn it," I cursed softly under my breath as the call went unanswered once more. Concern gnawed at me. Arina knew I would be away, and we always kept in touch, especially with Aurora at home.Deciding to take action, I dialed our neighbor's number. Mrs. Peterson, an elderly woman who lived next door, answered after a few rings. Her gentle voice came through the line."Hello?""Hello, Mrs. Rosalie," I greeted, my voice trembling with worry.Mrs. Rosalie, a kind elderly neighbor, lived next door with her teenage granddaughter. Despite our limited interactions, I knew I could count on her in times of need."Yes, Zoe. What's wrong?" Her voice was calm but tinged with concern."Mam, I'm sorry to bother you at this time. Actually, Arina isn't pic

The day our second child was born felt like a new beginning, yet it was marked by a significant change in me—I had lost my faith in God. After losing Aurora, I couldn't bring myself to step into a church again. Despite this, life moved on, and we did our best to embrace the joy that little Zia brought into our lives.Zia was now three and a half years old, a bright and lively child who had begun to walk with tiny, unsteady steps. From the moment she could express herself, it was clear that Zia adored me. She clung to me whenever I was home, always wanting to be by my side. Her attachment was so strong that she rarely wanted to be with Arina. While most parents might have felt concern, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. My little girl loved her daddy more than anything, and it warmed my heart.However, this intense bond with Zia often stirred tension between Arina and me. Arina, who had once been the center of our daughter's world, now found herself feeling sidelined. Sometimes