Harper

I opened my eyes to a world unfamiliar yet breathtakingly beautiful. A canopy of green leaves stretched high above me, sunlight filtering through in golden patches that danced across my bare skin. The scent of earth and pine filled my nostrils, grounding me in the moment, but an unsettling sense of displacement gnawed at my mind. I felt... off.

The chirping of birds echoed in the distance, and for a moment, I wondered if this was all part of the experience I was meant to have. Did they create a weird simulation or am I dreaming? Suddenly, reality struck like a lightning bolt through my consciousness, I was completely bare.

Panic surged through me as I bolted upright, my arms wrapping around myself in a desperate attempt to preserve some dignity. My head whipped from side to side, searching for anything, anyone, that could explain how I got here. But all I saw were endless trees and a sky so blue it almost looked artificial.

“Hello?” I called out hesitantly. My voice sounded small against the vastness of the forest.

The only response was the whisper of leaves swaying in the breeze. I fought the lump forming in my throat. Why the hell am I naked? What happened to my clothes? Is this a test of survival? Maybe I stumbled into a weird reality show. I know I did not read the terms and conditions super well before agreeing to all of this. The cool breeze created goosebumps on my arms. This feels too real to be a dream, I don’t think our technology is advanced enough for a simulation, but honestly that’s what I’m hoping it is.

Then, a sound, soft, playful giggles, cut through the eerie quiet waking me from my spiraling thoughts. I turned toward the source, heart pounding. Peeking from behind a tree was a small girl, her wide, curious eyes locked onto mine.

“Who’s there?” I called out, my voice tinged with both relief and apprehension.

The child took a step forward, tilting her head in innocent wonder. “Why aren’t you wearing anything?” she asked, unfiltered curiosity lacing her words.

Heat flooded my cheeks as I pulled my knees up to my chest. “I... I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Can you help me? Do you know where I can find some clothes?”

She considered me for a long moment, then nodded enthusiastically. “I can get you something to wear!” she declared before dashing off, disappearing into the trees as quickly as she had appeared.

Time stretched on endlessly as I waited, my vulnerability making every passing second unbearable, hoping the small girl would return, and I wouldn’t be discovered by something worse before she returns. The wind picked up, sending shivers down my spine as I tried to piece together anything that made sense.

Just as I began to wonder, the little girl came bounding back, clutching a long brown dress in her tiny hands.

“Here!” she chirped proudly.

Relief flooded through me as I took the garment, hurriedly slipping it over my head. It was rough against my skin, scratchy and worn, but I couldn’t have been more grateful. The garment looked like something out of a TV show based in some European country from the 1700’s. Something a commoner would wear.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. “What’s your name?”

“Teeny!” she beamed.

I smiled despite the oddness of my situation. “It’s nice to meet you, Teeny. I’m Harper.”

She giggled, her brown curls bouncing as she rocked on her heels. “You’re funny, Harper. Do you wanna play at my house?”

My mind drifted, Is this a part of the “Healing journey” Am I to follow this little girl? Maybe she is a representation of me as my younger self, although she doesn’t look like me. Something about her innocence made my heart ache.

“Teeny, do you live nearby?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Come! I’ll show you!” She reached out and grabbed my hand, her small fingers warm against my chilled skin.

I hesitated for only a moment before allowing her to lead me. What choice did I have? I was lost, and right now, Teeny was my only link to civilization. Who knows what she would lead me to.

As we moved through the forest, my feet protested against the rough ground. Even though Teeny brought me a dress, I was still barefoot. Every twig, every sharp stone sent jolts of discomfort through me, but I bit my lip and pressed on, determined to keep up.

The trees began to thin, and suddenly, we stepped into a clearing that stole my breath away.

A village.

Rustic houses stood in neat rows, their wooden structures exuding a simplicity that felt both foreign and oddly comforting. People bustled about, dressed in modest garments, their expressions ranging from mild curiosity to outright suspicion as they caught sight of me.

“There’s my house!” Teeny announced, pointing at a small home. She tugged me onward.

I followed her inside, my senses immediately assaulted by the comforting aroma of fresh bread. The space was small but welcoming, one large room with a hearth crackling in the corner, and a tiny bedroom tucked away behind a curtain.

“Sit!” Teeny instructed, pulling out a chair for me.

I complied, my body aching from exhaustion. She hurried to a shelf, retrieved a piece of bread, and placed it in my hands. My mind started to wonder, who else lived here? Would they be as welcoming as Teeny?

“Teeny, Where is you Mom and Dad?” I asked.

“Mama should be home soon,” she said between bites of her own bread.

I sat there and ate a few more bites before the front door swung open, and a woman stepped inside. Her sharp gaze landed on me immediately, her posture stiffening.

“Who are you, and why are you in my home?” she demanded.

Teeny jumped up excitedly. “Mama! This is Harper! I found her in the woods. Can we keep her?”

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “We cannot keep people, Teeny.”

I rose to my feet. “I’m sorry for the intrusion,” I said carefully. “I woke up in the woods with no memory of how I got there. Teeny was kind enough to help me.”

The woman’s remained locked on mine, she studied me for a long moment before sighing. “You cannot stay here.”

Teeny’s face fell. “But Mama…”

“No, Teeny.” Her mother’s voice was firm. “If I give you what you need, will you go?” she asked me, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place, concern? Fear?

“I don’t mean to impose,” I said, my stomach twisting. “If you could spare anything, I’d be grateful.”

Without another word, she retrieved a small satchel, filling it with food, a few coins and handed me a pair of socks and shoes. “This should be enough.”

I didn’t have time to think or speak before a sudden loud knock at the door made my breath hitch. The woman’s eyes widened, and in an instant, she was shoving me toward the back door.

“You must leave. Now.” She demands in a hushed tone.

“What? Why…”

“Go,” she hissed. “And do not return.”

My pulse thundered as I slipped out the back, the door slamming shut behind me. From inside, I heard a man’s voice, deep and authoritative, arguing with Teeny’s mother. I didn’t want to find out who he was. Despite being worried about Teeny and her mom I cowardly walked away at a quickened pace. What could I even do? I still don’t know what’s going on.