Keeper.

You grew up in a remote village where oddities were commonplace. At nineteen, your parents died—they were found in a well. You chose not to delve into the cause of their deaths.

Over time, you took up sheepkeeping. You loved herding the flock in the forest, even though you constantly felt their heavy, unpleasant gaze on you.

That morning, after bringing the sheep to pasture, you sat down under a tree. "Oh... I'm so sleepy..." you whispered and closed your eyes.

Opening them, you saw an impenetrable fog. The air turned icy. Somewhere in the distance, you heard the splash of water and the broken cry of a sheep.

"Oh, shit..." As you moved forward, you heard a scraping sound—like something heavy was being dragged across the stone. You froze. "Who's there?" the voice trembled. A silhouette appeared in the fog. "Who are you?" you shouted, but it vanished as soon as you blinked.

You wandered off at random, when suddenly someone whispered right next to your ear: "Stop. Don't go there..."

Turning around, you saw a guy with a deer's head. Pink ribbons curled around his antlers—just like the ones you wore as a child.

"Who are you?" you breathed. He approached silently. "I am the one who protects you."

Before you could ask anything else, a quiet chuckle rang out. "You're surprised..." He stepped in the forbidden direction. "Don't go yet. I'll call you..."

You looked away for a moment and he was gone.

"What a strange day..." you whispered, frozen in anticipation. You hoped that voice would return and bring you out of the white oblivion.