That morning…

  Apart from the greeting of sunlight, the house was deserted.

  Only Harlyn was there.

  So many things felt unusual, unfamiliar.

  Hale’s sword lay silently in the corner, while Meryl was nowhere to be seen.

  Then, the smell of food reached her nose.

  On the table, a still-warm breakfast waited for her.

  Feeling heavy with sadness, Harlyn dragged herself to a chair.

  She noticed a piece of paper beside the bowl of soup—

  slowly, she unfolded it.

  Harlyn, remember to finish your breakfast. Lunch is ready too, it’s on the stove. Carry it down carefully so you don’t drop it. I ate out, so Harlyn must finish it! I’ll be home soon. I love you.

  …

  At that moment, a few tears fell onto the paper—

  mingling with the old, dried tear stains already there.

  Harlyn trembled as she clutched the note, wiping her tears with her other hand.

  ***

  The house felt too gloomy, empty.

  After eating, Harlyn decided to go outside.

  This time, she brought her teddy bear and her mother’s magic book.

  As if she wouldn’t be returning home, she also packed some carrots to eat when she got hungry.

  ***

  No matter where she went, everyone stared at her.

  Their eyes were filled with pity.

  I know.

  I know my father is dead.

  Can you stop looking?

  Their gazes dragged her back to memories of that day.

  She couldn’t bear it any longer.

  Harlyn ran—faster and faster—toward the forest.

  Tears streamed down her face as her legs carried her forward, the teddy bear and magic book clutched tightly to her chest.

  ***

  Finally, the only place left she could still call home.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Gentle sunlight filtered through the trees.

  The familiar song of the forest surrounded her.

  Everything was so… quiet. So peaceful.

  Harlyn leaned against a tree trunk, muttering softly as she read from the book of spells.

  Her teddy bear sat beside her, propped against her arm.

  The enemy moved too fast, forcing Firci to devise a new method.

  A precise one.

  That’s when magic circle was born!

  The book was interesting—each spell came with a story of its origin.

  And it seemed Harlyn was more interested in reading those stories than learning the spells themselves.

  ***

  Suddenly—

  A small figure crept toward her.

  Harlyn raised her hand.

  “Don’t come any closer. I know magic!” her voice tremble.

  A white rabbit appeared—the very one she had once saved.

  Behind it, three tiny white baby rabbits, like little snowballs, peeked out from behind their mother.

  Seeing this, Harlyn quickly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a carrot.

  She slowly offered it.

  The rabbit took the carrot, then dropped it among the babies.

  They eagerly nibbled at it.

  Harlyn gently stroked the rabbit’s head

  “I’ll name you Fluffe” she said with a smile,

  before returning to her book.

  The rabbits followed her.

  The mother lay beside Harlyn, while the little ones climbed all over her.

  ***

  It was getting dark.

  Harlyn hurried home, hoping her mother had already returned.

  But as she drew closer, she realized—

  The house was pitch black.

  She trudged inside and lit a nearby candle, sparking it to life with a small flick of magic.

  ***

  She sat curled up in the kitchen, waiting and waiting.

  It was late now.

  The neighbors’s lights were out; they had likely gone to bed.

  The candle was nearly burned down—but Harlyn was not.

  She waited patiently.

  What happened to Mom?

  Should I go look for her?

  What if I can’t…

  I don’t want to live alone.

  She began to sob.

  At that moment, footsteps echoed from the garden.

  Harlyn quickly wiped her tears, climbed onto a stool, and peered out the kitchen window.

  It was her.

  Meryl was home.

  The door creaked open.

  Seeing her daughter perched in the kitchen, watching her anxiously, Meryl giggled.

  “Mom’s home, Harlyn.”

  The same tired yet cheerful expression her father once wore now rested on her mother’s face.

  Harlyn ran forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Meryl’s legs, as if afraid she might disappear too.

  “Harlyn, I can’t move,” Meryl laughed softly as she picked her up.

  She brushed Harlyn’s hair aside, noticing her red, swollen eyes.

  “Why did you stay up so late? Were you waiting for Mommy?” she asked in a playful voice.

  Harlyn nodded.

  “I was afraid you wouldn’t come home—”

  “Oh~ my Harlyn.”

  Meryl carried her into the bedroom.

  She tucked Harlyn into bed, kissed her forehead, and smiled.

  “I’ll always be by your side. You don’t have to worry about me.”

  “Sleep tight.”