Hidden in the Mist
Shuurei had forgotten there would be no moon tonight. Though she had trodden this path before, gloom cloaked its familiar landmarks. A dank mist crept along the darkness, slithering around her legs as she walked. She recalled another night like this and quickened her pace.
Shuuurei, the mist whispered across her cheek. She gasped and touched the spot on her face, her eyes glancing around the milky darkness. Only the sound of her rapid breathing broke the silence, and her speed increased with her pulse rate. She stumbled blindly through the trees, struggling through low-hanging branches that snatched at her cloak.
Shhhuurreeei, the mist encircled her body, cold caresses swirling up her sleeves and down her dress collar. She shivered and clutched her cloak tightly around her, bolting through the mist's icy fingers.
Finally, the trees cleared before her, but as her slippered foot crossed into the light, something tugged at the ribbon in her hair, freeing her black locks to tumble down her back. She spun around, eyes darting left and right, but nothing met her angry gaze except the moonless night and the haunting mist. She stifled a threatening tear and turned toward home.