They weren’t afraid. That was the first thing that struck me. Two deer stepped out of the woods while I was tossing hay. They didn’t freeze or dart away like deer usually do. They just stood there—watching me. The larger one hung back, still and cautious. But the smaller one stared right at me, like it knew something.
I laughed nervously, snapped a photo, and posted, “Got some unexpected visitors today.” Harmless enough. Then it happened. The smaller deer walked right up to the fence and dropped something at my feet—a small bundle wrapped tightly in dark fabric. My stomach tightened as I crouched down and carefully unwrapped it.
Inside was a wooden box, old and worn. Within that box lay a tarnished silver locket carved with strange symbols that made my skin prickle. I looked up. The deer was backing away, turning toward the woods, pausing as if waiting. And I followed. The forest swallowed us in silence. It led me to a clearing I’d never seen before.
In the center stood a massive, ancient oak, its branches black against the sky. The deer vanished. At the tree’s base the ground was freshly disturbed. Against my better judgment, I dug and found a stone tablet covered with the same symbols. Beneath it, hidden in a hollow, was an old parchment sealed tight. I opened it. “For the one who is chosen: The truth is not safe. The truth is not gentle. Follow the signs. This is only the beginning.” The locket felt heavy in my pocket. This wasn’t random. The deer. The offering. The message. I was part of something—something ancient. And the most terrifying part? I didn’t know who chose me, or why.
