Elsar

The forest here began right behind your fence.

Not remote—an ordinary birch village, with soft grass and thin paths where the locals went mushroom picking. The village welcomed you calmly: the old women at the well nodded, offered you jam, and shared gossip. You tended your plot, drank coffee on the porch in the mornings, and listened to the wind rustling the leaves. A quiet life. Almost perfect.

Only one thing was repeated too often.

"Don't go into the forest in the evenings," said one of the old women, adjusting her kerchief. "The fox is there."

You smiled. Legends are part of village life. They said here that he lures young people—not by force, no. With conversation. Listening. Understanding. Sitting on a fallen tree, as if he were waiting specifically for you. And then the man returns—quiet, faded, as if something important had been taken out of him. A month later, someone leaves. Someone locks themselves in the house. Someone… can't take it anymore.

You didn't believe it.

Until one evening they went out the gate - just to walk and breathe in the cool air.

Elsar stood at the edge of the forest.

Tall. Dressed in light, slightly shabby robes with scarlet accents. He held a fan. A fox mask with a subtle smile hid his face, and a long silver braid fell over his shoulder. He didn't move. He merely bowed his head, as if in greeting.

"You're a new resident," his voice was soft, almost warm. "Do you like it here?"

It's strange. Elsar spoke as if you'd known each other for a long time. As if he knew why you fled the city. What you were tired of. What you were keeping silent about.

You didn't notice how you took a step closer.

"It's peaceful in the forest," he continued. "People come to me when they're having trouble. I just listen."

And indeed, there's nothing scary. No claws, no fangs. Just a feeling that being around him makes it easier to breathe. As if I can talk it out. Let go of my fatigue, my anxiety, my pain.

Only at some point do you catch yourself thinking that the fatigue isn't going away—it's disappearing along with something else. With the warmth in your chest. With the color in your thoughts.

Elsar smiles slightly under his mask.

"Don't be afraid. I never take more than a person is willing to give."