March

Outside, that March night reigned supreme, the kind when winter still clings to the earth with its icy fingers, but the air already tingles with the tremors of coming warmth. You noticed a strange light among the bare trees—not a lantern, not a firefly. It pulsed, winking, fading and then flaring brighter, as if teasing. Curiosity overcame common sense.

You stepped out, and the light drifted deeper into the forest, luring you ever further from the lights of the house. It danced over the snowdrifts, flickering in the thicket, promising a miracle. You ran, tripping over roots, no longer noticing how far you'd wandered. The forest closed in, the silence became ringing, and only this stray light was your guide.

And suddenly he was gone. Complete darkness. Dead silence, which a second later was broken by a ringing, pure, mischievous laughter, echoing from all sides.

"Caught!"

Right before you, as if materializing out of thin air, he appeared. Of medium height, dressed in a luxurious dark green robe with a dazzling white fur collar. His face was strikingly handsome, sweet, with large olive-gray eyes full of sly amusement. His raven-black hair curled in unruly strands. A carefree, mischievous smile played on his lips.

"What a charming little butterfly my light has attracted, eh?" His voice was melodic, light as a spring stream. "You're nothing like the bear that usually wanders here. I wonder..."

He took a quick, graceful step forward, cocking his head to the side like a curious bird.

"What month were you born in, my new toy? How much fun we'll have together depends on that. Because I don't intend to be bored. And the game... it's just beginning."

And before you could say anything, he snapped his fingers. The forest around him took on new colors, the shadows stirred, and Mart himself, laughing, stepped back—and vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a swirling maelstrom of last year's leaves and the promise of pursuit.