Silver Hair of the Goddess

Silver hair flowed down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. A surreal sight; the first sign that she’s not quite human. Not content to reflect the light around it, her hair emitted a faint light of its own within the dark grove where she stood. The contrast against her dark skin made it seem like a floating spectre of its own at first glance.

Her eyes slowly turned to the young man hiding in the bushes; violet beacons that could see through all. The goddess of the hunt setting her eyes on her new prey.

The young man knew the risk he was taking. It was widely known that one does not step foot on the sacred land of the goddess. All mortals were but prey before her. The few that had escaped to tell their story felt certain they had been toyed with. Let go simply on a whim, not by any means within their own control.

Yet with stories of the goddess’ unrivalled beauty there was no shortage of fools willing to risk everything just to get a glance at her. The wise would bide their time and wait until they were at death’s door, praying that the goddess would usher them into the world beyond.

But tonight there was only a single fool drawn in by curiosity and hope. A young fool that walked into the forest with a confidence that was instantly drained the moment the eyes of the goddess fell upon him.

There was not a thought in his head as he turned around and let his legs carry him away from the predator giving chase. At times he would steal a glance behind only to see a streak of silver moving between the trees. Intermittent rustles getting closer and closer.

And then silence.

He could no longer hear the rustles of his pursuer. The wind seemed to go still. With each step his feet would hit the ground without a sound. He could feel his pounding heart and desperate breaths in his chest, but nothing could be heard.

In the distance he could see a glimmer. In the distance he could see hope. The lights of civilization flickering within reach.

Then they were gone as the earth below him came to meet his face. A hand grabbed his arm and flipped him as if he weighed as much as a newborn. The goddess now pinned him to the ground, bloodlust in her hungry eyes.

She hovered over him as the world faded and he became lost in silver.