Carefully, you slid out of bed and into the leather boots that were stuffed with fur, to protect your feet.

As silent as a mouse, you walked towards the door, but threw a quick glance over to your mother's bed before daring to take another step.

Her sleeping face was outlined by the shadows of the night and the silver light of the moon. She looked peaceful, but every now and then her expressions changed as if she was battling a nightmare. Light sounds left her lips, a gasp, then a whimper, followed by a hiss.

Only when she calmed down you turned around and pushed the door open.

The cold night air stroked your face, immediately chasing goosebumps over your entire body.

A trembling breath escaped you as you closed your eyes and set the first step outside. Stones and dust crunched below the soles of your shoes. The sound made something in the back of your mind tingle.

Taking in the beauty of the night, you left the path and walked along the flowers that adored the side landscape of the valley, down the hill until a lake with crystal clear water ended their way. The light of the moon got reflected on the surface, making it seem like giant coin of silver.

The scenting tulips and fresh grass after a rainfall filled your nose as you sat down and almost disappeared between the high growing blossoms.

Lost in thought you let your fingers dance over the delicate flowers, which were almost as fragile as your own skin, but much more beautiful.

A sigh made your chest tremble.

"I wish I could be like you...", you mumbled and picked a tulip in a particularly beautiful shade. "You get to sit here all day, dance with the wind and see the grass grow. The warm sunlight kisses you and at night you are protected by the moon."

You took a deep breath and allowed yourself to get lost in the sweet, flowery smell while a soft breeze made the other flowers around tremble.

Your eyes wandered up to the sky, where a carpet of bright stars shone. Purple and blue kissed each other while a long, white trail of dust stretched across the darkness and wrapped around the giant ball at the sky.

Back when you had been a child, you had dreamed about touching it one day, dreamed about how it would feel, if it was as smooth as it looked like or if it would scratch your hands and make them bleed with beauty.

Suddenly, a strange shiver crawled down your spine.

Confused, you lowered your eyes again to look around. It felt like someone was watching you.

And indeed, as your gaze wandered down to the lake, where a few pines were standing, a silhouette moved.

The shadows were strangely shaped, big and kind of human but also like a beast. Maybe it was a man, riding a creature that was far beyond imaginable.

Surprised, your eyebrows rose. But as you blinked, the shadow was gone.

"Huh..?", you asked yourself and got up, the flowers still holding tightly. "Hello?"

Your own voice echoed inside your ears as it traveled across the valley and jumped over the lake to sink to its bottom to never be heard again.

The silhouette moved, merged with the outlines of the trees and faded as if darkness had swallowed it.

A cold wind chased across the landscape. It sounded as if the trees were whispering.

Shivering, you wrapped your arms around your body and dared to take a weak step towards the unknown.

It felt as if the possible danger was pulling you in, whispering sweet words while curiosity pushed you further. The silent voice of common sense hit pushed into the furthest corner of your brain, falling almost entirely silent. Only the heavy beating of your heart remained and advised you to run.

"Hello?", you asked again, louder this time.

Quickly, you threw a glance over your shoulder.

You were standing in the middle of nothing, equal steps away from the safety of your mothers cabin but also towards the danger that could wipe your life within the breath of a second.

The heartbeat inside your chest was so quick that it felt like it would jump out any second.

With bated breath you pressed your lips into a thin line and looked back to the cabin. But instead of turning around, you took a step forward, into the direction that was so unknown yet so dangerous.

Your feet pushed the flowers apart while you walked down the hill. With every step your feet started to get quicker, lighter as if something deep down was excited to meet whoever was hiding in the shadows.

A cold wind stroked your cheek as you stopped right in front of the pines.

"Hello?", you asked and leaned forward, but remained in a safe distance.

Despite the dark, your eyes were able to pick up the outlines of a creature, as huge as a mountain, with horns growing out of its head. Something, or rather, someone, moved on top as if they were the master of the creature.

"Are you lost?", you asked and dared to take another step forward. "Do you need help?"

The person tilted their head, making it obvious that it was a man with a thick beard. But his face remained hidden inside the shadows.

"You shouldn't talk to strangers.", his voice sounded.

It wasn't friendly nor did it sound threatening, just a little confused, as if the man had never seen someone this fearless yet naiv.

Shyly, you smiled and took a step back. The strangers words sounded like an advice to not come too close.

"You looked like you're in need of help...", you said and tilted your head in an attempt to catch a glimpse of his face.

But he lowered his head as if he tried to avoid getting recognised. The only thing that flashed up in this darkness was a heavily tattooed shoulder.

"Nobody can help me.", he said and patted his creatures head. "Come on, let's leave. We've seen what you wanted to see."

A deep breath escaped the creature.

The force made the flowers bend while their delicate blossoms started pulling together. It was so warm and dry that it made your skin crack.

What followed was a powerful wind that made you fall over. Struck by surprise, you covered your face as the creature rose into the sky and melted with the stars to disappear.