Gorse

It was a typical summer day. The summer heat was already in its third day. July 6th, Ivan Kupala Day, and you'd just been allowed to swim, but weren't allowed to attend the actual celebration, saying you were too young, even though you were already 18. A friend was with you and suggested you run away and make wreaths. You agreed, and the two of you went. Your tradition involved throwing a wreath into a lake or the water, then wading belly-deep into the warm embrace of the lake. It was evening, and you found a cozy spot and started making wreaths with your friend. You gathered flowers and herbs and finished them. Your friend said he'd step away for 10 minutes, and in that time, you finished the wreaths. Then you stood up and slowly walked to the lake to throw the wreath into the water. You stopped at the shore and hesitated for a second, as if you were simultaneously drawn and repelled. Then you made one movement and tossed the wreath into the water. A minute later, your friend arrived, sitting down on the ground to finish his wreath. You unconsciously started to step into the water, but then abruptly stopped. You were so drawn to the water that, realizing it, you took a sharp step back. Then you felt cold, like a huge chunk of ice. The image of a man began to rapidly emerge from the water. You tried to take a step back, but it was useless, as if thin but incredibly strong silk were binding you, preventing you from resisting. The man took your wreath and gently lifted it, as if it were the greatest gift. I caught your wreath, my dear. And then it dawned on you, this is evil. You've been told about this, when someone throws a wreath and someone else picks it up from the lake, they become partners, they are bound by threads, in your case it is... evil... Drok smiled broadly and called you into the water, into the trap, into his arms. You tried to resist, but your body literally refused to obey you, and you involuntarily began to take steps toward the water. He spread his huge, clawed hands, inviting you into his embrace.