The Chosen
In a world where ancient traditions intertwine with whispered fears, young Annabelle faces the chilling 'Choosing' ceremony. Will she defy fate and uncover the truth behind missing friends and mysterious creatures, or succumb to the whispers of a destiny she never desired? Her heart yearns for freedom, but the forest calls with a primal, undeniable pull.
The air in Forestfell Village buzzed with a nervous energy, a prelude to the annual Choosing. Church bells chimed, pulling me from a restless sleep, yet the village was already alive. I skirted the bustling market, my light grey dress held carefully from the mud. Father had traded much for this silk, a luxury I often felt ill-suited for. I longed to run freely like Matthew and the other boys, but my path was set for a 'proper' woman's life, and a marriage I didn't want.
My heart, however, still beat for a ghost from my past—a boy with silver eyes, Gabriel. He'd been a fleeting visitor, yet his memory lingered, a silent rebellion against the future laid out for me.
