Chapter 23 - Many Apologies and Confusion

Nadia approached the boundary, panting.

"Where are you?" Her voice squeaked when she called out. She shivered from the cold and the odd presence that tinted the forest air, the handle of her lantern shook slightly in her trembling hands.

Where was she? Was she gone? Was---

Nadia didn't have to question herself further. Fog formed in front of her with a low red glow, and standing right in front of her was the witch.

The ghost her Granny had just told her was her mother.

"You came." The ghost said.

"How could I not?" Her lips trembled. "You are my mother."

The moment sunk in and even for someone that was already dead, it felt alive, felt real.

"I'm sorry that my hands almost gifted you death countlessly. If I had you, things would have been different." Kestra whispered.

Tears rolled down Nadia's cheeks. She spent all her life trying to look for her parents and now she found one, but she was already dead.

This was so cruel.