Into the Green

Viviana pushed through the tall grass at the edge of her backyard, her sneakers squelching in the damp earth. The woods behind her house always felt different from the neat suburban lawns around it—wilder, more alive.

"I wonder what's back there today," she whispered to herself, stepping over a fallen log.

The trees grew thicker as she walked deeper, their branches creating a green canopy above her head. Sunlight filtered through in dancing patches that made everything look magical. She loved coming here when Mom was busy with work calls.

A strange sound caught her attention—soft and sad, like someone crying. Viviana froze, her heart beating faster.

"Hello?" she called quietly.

The sound came again, definitely coming from somewhere ahead.

Behind the Oak Trees

Viviana crept forward, following the soft crying sounds. Behind a cluster of oak trees, she spotted something that made her gasp.

A small white unicorn lay on its side, one wing twisted at an odd angle. Wait—wings? Viviana had never seen a unicorn with wings before.

The creature's silver horn caught a patch of sunlight, and its mane sparkled like fresh snow. But its left wing looked hurt, feathers scattered on the ground around it.

"Oh no," Viviana whispered, stepping closer. "You're hurt."

The unicorn lifted its head and looked at her with the biggest, saddest blue eyes she'd ever seen. It made a small whinnying sound.

Viviana's phone buzzed in her pocket—a text from Mom asking where she was.