The huntress. One of the many tales told by the elders in order to make their young stay put. Yet, ever since people started disappearing while going on various hunts, everyone realised they weren't kidding. It first started with a local daredevil, disappearing into the Red Forest after he announced he would try new stunts. Everyone assumed he was dead, and his body was never found. Others formed a rescue party, but slowly, they started disappearing as well. One by one, subtly.

"Bayu Bayushki Bayu
Do not lie down near the edge of the bed.
The grey wolfie will come
And grab you by your tiny side.
He'll grab you by your tiny side,
And drag you to the forest,
Drag you to the forest.
Down under a willow shrub,
Don't come 'round, wolfie, don't wake up our Masha.
Bayu Bayushki Bayu
Do not lie down near the edge of the bed..."

Your mother sang as she made sure you back was covered by the thick blanket, protecting you from the cold. You immediately fell asleep to the sweet tunes of the lullaby, ready for the next day of school. Your village was rather far away from the school, of course, and everyday you had to go by yourself. Your mother was the only one who took care of you, and truth be told, you knew she was busy. Several jobs and tending to her crop were surely exhausting her, yet every single night she was there for you, singing the same lullaby to her seven-year old child. Once she made sure that you were asleep, she kissed your forehead before getting up with a silent grunt. She was weary and tired, and she could really use some sleep.

As soon as she exited your room, you immediately sprung back to your senses. You almost fell asleep! With an excited attitude, you skipped towards your small chair, getting it so you could access your clothes in the wardrobe. You were still rather short, yet you did not mind in the slightest!

You grabbed a red hoodie and sweatpants- probably tomorrow's attire, thinking that your mother would dress you comfortable, in order for you to make it to your school without your clothes annoying you on the way there.

As you silently treaded towards your snickers, you almost tripped due to something fluffy. You couldn't really see in the darkness, and sighed, touching whatever that was in order to recognise it! "Hopper!" You merrily called to the thing once you got to know what the 'thing' was: your trusty sidekick, Mr. Hopper. A brown hare, handmade by your mother. Now that you had everything, you were ready to head out. Ever since your father disappeared into the forest, you've dreamed of finding him. Of course, you thought he was merely lost, and if you would use enough string to go around the forest, you would find him! You chose to take the photo of your father from your night table, in case you meet people that might have seen him.

You didn't pack anything else obviously, choosing to take Hopper with you instead; you knew you would be home by dawn. You slowly crept towards the entrance door, passing by your mother's bedroom as she was writing something inside a notebook. You silently waved towards her and picked up the pace, quickly going away as the full moon shone down upon you.

Your cheerfulness kept away the dread of night as wolves howled, your unbreakable will unwavering. You knew they would hurt you, as everyone said so, but you didn't mind. Your father had to be in here.

Unknown to you, a tall figure was silently watching you as she twirled her large hatchet in her hands- her next prey was a little child! Oh, the joy! She always wanted a child, but most of the times she got one they ended up not replying to her at all, after they cried. Eventually they began to smell like rotten food, decaying like her mother, and she had to rid herself of them.

Sadly sighing, feeling the ache of losing her children, The Huntress continued to lurk in the shadows as her chipped, bloody bunny mask hid her furrowed eyebrows. She was stressed, the memory of her mother's departure still fresh in her mind. Drawing in a deep breath, the woman cleared her voice before she began to hum with a melodic voice, making you whip your head towards her location immediately.

"Who's there...?" You inquired, feeling eerily soothed by the tune as you clung onto your rabbit toy, recalling the lyrics to the lullaby. You softly sang along as you headed towards the unknown, hoping to find anything, or anyone.

"Dad?" Your voice trembled as soon as you spotted a cabin with light inside of it, a dwelling! You were already sleepy, and you feet were slightly aching, and thus you chose to go towards it. Once you were in, you were instantly bathed in the dim candlelights, the house being warmer than expected, despite the fact that it missed doors and windows. It somehow reminded you of your family's cottage in the mountains. There was an old, cozy feeling to the place, but you were panicking once you saw the head of an animal stuck to one of the walls, and you let out a scream.

The Huntress was behind you, with her weapon hanging low as she let it hit the ground, somehow tired of carrying it despite feeling no weight. She missed the love for her children, and the fact that you were here brought her in tears. You panicked the moment you heard footsteps behind you, But two buff arms were wrapped around you and your captor let out soft joyous hum. "Child..." The lady whispered and you knew she was talking about you. Slowly worming in her grasp, you turned to face the lady, only to become shocked by the fact that she had a bunny mask. A bloodied bunny mask.

"L-Let me go! Please." You begged of her, but she only purred, showing a sign of being content with the fact that she met you. She immediately picked you up like a mother would pick up her infant child, and merrily got you upstairs, placing you on a stack of hay. She immediately rushed back down, picking her hatchet and flinging open one of the red lockers,to get more of her small hatchets, just in case she has to go spontaneous hunting.

You didn't stay put- choosing to go outside through the outside exit. She had a bit of time until she would come up, and you had to return home!

Fearing your fate, you fled away only to find yourself on the first floor. Right. You sat on the edge as you wondered whether or not to jump, and, as on cue, you heard her footsteps as she rushed towards you. As your adrenaline kicked in due to your fear towards the woman, you immediately jumped down. The fall was quick. You were sure you would be okay, right? You screamed in agony as a jolt of enormous pain crawled up from your ankle, the Huntress' eyes widening at the sound of your bloodcurdling scream. She rushed towards the place she last left you, and you gasped as you looked behind, seeing her ominously look around for you.

Ducking behind a tree, you hoped to pass by undiscovered, praying for your dear life that you may life through this. Your mother would surely scold you for this adventure, and for that wound. You silently wailed as you tried to refrain from crying, hot tears stinging your eyes. Your left leg was gone, and the most you could do is limp around to the exit.

The Huntress jumped without an issue as she looked around, passing around you as her humming got ominous, her anger increasing. Why would her child run away, out of all times! She huffed in annoyance as she tried to sing in order to lure you back, knowing that everyone liked that lullaby. Of course you would not fall for that, even if you grew tired.

She sped further away, missing you as you blended in with your surroundings, even if for just a bit. She must have been in a hurry to find you...

Nonetheless, you were certainly happy to get away from her. You couldn't find any words for the fear you felt now. Your heart was wildly drumming in your chest as you couldn't hold back anymore, the stress being too much for you as you began crying.

Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes turned into hours until the dawn had arisen, and you passed out due to the lack of sleep and the exhaustion due to your sprain. The Huntress slowly made her way back into the cabin, malcontent and anguished as she lost another child. She passed by a tree, lodging her large hatchet in it out of anger, letting out a loud grunt. She felt anxious, losing so many children will make her feel bad... Wait!

A few crows were cawing around. It was a sign that they either got scared or... Someone lingered around.

Without showing any signs of hesitation, she looked around her as she tried to pinpoint the exact spot where the crows hung out at, following the sound like a bloodhound. She was eager to find her child again, and of course, to punish her for trying to leave. The Huntress saw your laying form as you seemed to be lifeless, and she immediately worried, waving away any thoughts of revenge. Picking you up gently, she dropped her main weapon as she brought you back in her dwelling. Setting you on the hay upstairs, she made sure to bring back her weapon as fast as possible, this time watching over you.

Your slumber was nightmare plagued, yet the Huntress, at the Entity's whispers, decided to shut off every single candle and cover the archway from which you fell from, due to the sun rising. She was eerily silent, set on watching every single movement of yours. As soon as she saw that you were crying in your sleep, she drew in a deep breath. Instead of exhaling, the woman began humming her lullaby, but this time, instead of the ominous and aggressive tune, she sang her mother's lovely tunes, with such confidence and care that she wouldn't mess up.

She grew impatient, your sleep taking too much time. It was afternoon already, the sun at its highest. She didn't complain though, but she made sure that you were alive by carefully watching your chest fall and rise slowly. She realised that you may feel hungry, so she chose to go hunting. You would be able to leave anyway ever since she chose to tie you up.

Hours later, twilight was slowly coming up upon the Trial grounds, the Huntress rushing back to her place before trials would start. If she were to be placed in a trial, her little child would wound herself again...

Ignoring that fact, she started a campfire, dropping down the meat she collected from several bunnies and wild boars. She knew how hungry a recovering person could get, she almost died several times back as a child herself.

Shaking her head, she began cooking the meat carefully. Time passed... And she was done! She got some of the plates, recalling how some humans would eat. Maybe she was one of them. She grabbed a handful of weird utensils, almost dropping a few of them.

You slowly woke up with an ache as you felt rather itchy. "Mom...?" You slowly called as a blurry figure was approaching you, with fresh food. Meat. Ah, you were so hungry...

You rubbed your eyes in order to fully wake up, and you yelped as you saw the Huntress kneeling down, placing everything on the floor. "T-Thank you..." You whispered, slowly grabbing one fork and a knife out of the dozen, smiling. She... Cared about you?

She left out a huff, scaring you, before actually flicking your forehead, pointing at your sprained ankle. She got a twig from nearby and broke it in half. "Is, Is it broken?" You feebly asked and she nodded, slightly touching it to make the very fact known to you. You would heal eventually. She would make sure that you get well, at all costs.

[A/N: Such a long time has passed! I really wanted to thank everyone for reading, and most importantly for supporting the writers. I am officially stepping away from this book, ever since I think it's time I move on. I'm so glad I can finally do this without a twinge of guilt and regret. All the best, and see you on my page if anything! -CrissuCytus]