Golden Box Book Publishing One Picture: Thousands of Words | Page 8

returned. “Oh, never mind that. I’ve been here before with my
grandma when I was very young, and I remember seeing dead Maple
Trees in that area. Do you want to come with me?”
“No way,” Sarah said, firmly shaking her head.
“I’m staying on this path as we were told. You shouldn’t wander
off either,” Xavier warned. His chocolate brown eyes reflected
genuine worry.
***
Xavier was in love with Camilla since they first met, but his sense
of duty and obedience kept him from revealing his feelings. When he
confessed to his father, he got angry and told him that he was
destined to be a witch and follow the footsteps of his ancestors; a
strong-willed, often disobedient girl didn’t fit into his future plans.
Xavier agreed sadly and accepted his father’s decision. He kept his
feelings to himself but couldn’t erase his love for Camilla from his
heart.
***
Camilla stubbornly shrugged and strode off the well-worn dirt
road. It made her heart race with excitement every time she followed
the ancient path with her grandmother but going alone made her a
little nervous. The Raven is my spirit guide and it’s never wrong. She
thought, trying to calm her anxiety. It has a good reason to lead me
off the usual path, and besides, my grandmother had marked this
path for a reason.
The twisting path led her deep into the forest. Fallen leaves
crunched under her boots, and she heard the rustle of small
scampering creatures under the fallen branches and leaves. She
tightened her grip on her gray knitted shawl as she continued along
the path, her eyes automatically searching for the Maple Snags that
Woodruff Iris preferred.