The Mist

Not all healing is salvation.

The forest watched.

Always.

Angeline felt it the moment she arrived.

Not danger—

but recognition.

Something in the mist knew her.

And it was not afraid.

As she was about to continue walking when the mist suddenly emerged all around her and quickly became dense. It completely blinded her vision. Angeline could hear only her own panicked breathing.

“Mom! Can you see anything? Mom!” the owl hooted. “Oh no! This is not supposed to happen! The pamphlet said the mist only comes out at night!” she said nervously.

Angeline took a few steps in front of her hoping to find the uphill direction. It was not easy. When she got herbearing and started walking blindly through the mist, she heard low growls.

At first, they seemed far away but then the growls started getting closer and closer. They were dog growls; she knew it with certainty.

“Nesh avesh deesh!!” Angeline said in a shaky voice. She stopped walking and stood still. Her throat was dry.

The growls continued to close in on her. She gripped the cage and the urn tightly against her body.

“Nesh avesh deesh!! Zabar! Zabar Etoye!! Zabar Etoye!!” Angeline repeated loudly.

The growls changed to whines and gradually diminished. Then there was complete silence.