Everyone in Riverfall village believed the wind was silent.
Everyone—except Elira.
Elira was sixteen, quiet, and often alone. She lived near the old hills where the wind never rested. While others heard only noise, Elira heard words.
"Don't go there," the wind whispered one evening.
Elira stopped walking. Her heart beat fast.
"Why?" she asked softly, feeling foolish for talking to air.
But the wind did not answer. It only pushed her hair back and pointed toward the dark forest beyond the river.
No one went there anymore.
Years ago, people said something terrible happened in that forest. Some said monsters lived there. Others said the forest itself was alive. Elira never believed the stories—until now.
That night, as she tried to sleep, the wind grew louder. It slipped through her window like a warning.
"Tomorrow," it whispered,
"your life will change."
Elira sat up in bed, eyes wide open.
For the first time, she felt it clearly—
the wind was afraid.
And whatever waited in the forest…
was waiting for her.