02/05/2026
I climbed the mountain alone, planning to descend before dark. I knew the trail well, so I was confident I could manage without anyone with me. But on my way down, I noticed I kept passing the same rock and the same broken log beside the path. That was when I realized I was lost.
I tried taking another route until I reached a part of the forest that was unnaturally silent. In the middle of it stood a massive tree I didnβt remember ever seeing before. Its trunk was wide enough to block the fading light, and its roots twisted across the ground like crawling snakes. Its branches stretched so high they covered the sky.
I rested beside the tree, trying to calm myself. Then I noticed carvings etched into its barkβnames, dates, and words so old they were nearly erased. One of the names was mine.
I stepped back in shock. I touched the carving again to make sure I had read it right. It was my name⦠and beneath it was the exact date of that day.
A freezing wind suddenly blew, though the rest of the forest remained still. Then I heard footsteps behind me, slowly circling the tree. I shouted, βWhoβs there?β but no one answered.
I ran without looking back. For several minutes I pushed through the trail in panic until I stopped.
The giant tree was standing in front of me again.
And this time, a new carving had appeared on its bark.
βHe came back.β
