CICN 26

Chapter 26

When Evi returned alone and safely from the warm spring in the forest, the innkeeper looked at her in disbelief.

“Wait, how did you survive out there? Judging by the state you’re in, you really did go…”

The soot-covered face was now clean, revealing the soft, fair skin unique to children. The fluffy, fresh look suggested she had washed in warm water.

It was the middle of a cold winter. There was no unfrozen water in this area—let alone warm water.

Sure, some households might boil water, but who would go to the trouble of providing warm water for an orphan working odd jobs at an inn?

“You’re lucky, I guess.”

That’s what the innkeeper thought at first.

But a few days later, when Evi accidentally spilled food while helping in the kitchen, the innkeeper barked another order for her to go out and clean herself.

“You idiot! Now I have to throw out perfectly good food because of you! You stink—don’t come back until you’ve cleaned yourself up!”

Boiling with anger, the innkeeper poked the child’s frail body with a broom and shoved her outside.

“And you still dare to look at me like that instead of crying and begging for forgiveness?”

‘It wasn’t even my fault…’

The drunken cook had slipped on a wine bottle and knocked over the pot, but too afraid of being scolded, he had blamed Evi, saying she got in his way.

Of course, she couldn’t say otherwise.

No one would believe her anyway.

Besides, telling the truth would only mean getting beaten by both the innkeeper and the cook.

“What are you staring at me for? Get to the forest, now!”

Sending someone into the forest during this season was practically a death sentence.

Perhaps knowing that, the innkeeper let out a cold chuckle and muttered,

“Let’s see if you make it back alive this time.”

Then she slammed the inn door shut and locked even the barn. With nowhere else to go, Evi returned to the forest.

And just like before, the same thing happened.

Maybe it was the spilled food, but this time, wolves appeared even faster, circling around her.

But then, a flash of light—her hand grew hot—and the wolves suddenly turned away and disappeared into the woods.

After that, Evi arrived at the spring, washed, and fell asleep in exhaustion. The wolves didn’t appear again until she returned to the inn the next morning.

The following day, the innkeeper stared at Evi with a puzzled expression when she returned safely once more.

She could’ve yelled or spat at her, but instead…

“Hurry up and clean the stables, and help in the kitchen.”

She snickered, said nothing else, and walked away.

Oddly enough, that made Evi even more uneasy.

Sure enough, that night, the innkeeper spoke to some drunken guests.

“That kid? Doesn’t matter how deep into the forest she goes—she never dies. The wolves don’t even touch her. Don’t believe me? How about a little bet?”

She collected coins from the customers and ordered Evi to fetch water from the unfrozen pond deep within the forest.

With blistered hands gripping the rough wooden handle, Evi had to carry back a bucket almost as big as her body.

At first, the customers laughed, claiming it was impossible and betting their money confidently.

Some, at least, had a shred of conscience and tried to stop the innkeeper.

“What’s wrong with you? That’s a child! She’ll get eaten by wolves if she goes out there alone!”

“What? Did you raise her or something? I’m the one who fed her—don’t butt in! If you feel so sorry for her, pay me and take her yourself!”

The innkeeper cursed and drove out anyone who dared ruin the mood.

In the end, Evi was sent back into the forest.

Winter wolves, hungry and lean, never missed the chance at a lone, defenseless prey.

But each time, warmth filled her hand, and the wolves would turn away.

Still, Evi knew the truth.

The warmth was fading, and the mark was growing fainter.

As if its power was running out.

‘Once it disappears completely, I’ll die.’

But what could a five-year-old child possibly do?

Day after day, under the innkeeper’s orders, Evi had to go into the forest alone.

Until the director of the orphanage happened to stay at the inn.

‘After I met the director… the wolves never showed up again.’

Snapping out of her memories, Evi looked down at the back of her hand.

People used to pity the kids at the orphanage, wondering how they could live in such a place.

But to Evi, it was heaven.

She no longer had to work nonstop from dawn till dusk like at the inn.

Meals were served three times a day, right on schedule.

And not stale bread or rat-bitten crumbs—actual warm, cooked food.

She no longer had to sleep on a pile of hay in a cold barn.

She had a neatly arranged mattress, and though thin, a clean blanket.

And best of all, she now had kind friends around her, all her age.

Since then, the strange mark on the back of her hand had never returned.

‘It was almost gone anyway… Maybe it disappeared completely.’

Evi looked at her hand and felt a wave of relief.

Even she knew—this wasn’t something that happened to other people.

And the worn fairytale books at the orphanage said that witches with strange powers were dangerous.

All the kids had agreed that if they ever met someone like that, they’d report them to the guards.

That’s when Evi decided never to tell anyone about the mark on her hand.

She feared that if her friends ever found out, they might turn her in.

Sometimes, she’d even sleep with her hand in her pocket, just in case it reappeared in her sleep and someone saw.

But unlike her fears, the strange mark had never shown up again.

‘Probably because I’m not in danger anymore.’

The mark had only ever appeared when she was scared or in trouble.

And now, none of that was happening.

“So… it’s not dangerous now either.”

Evi nodded to herself.

Grrrgle.

Her stomach rumbled loudly.

Looking up, she could see the stars twinkling through the high window.

She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a cookie wrapped in paper and two candies she had saved.

Now, she faced a dilemma.

‘Which should I eat?’

No one would come until morning, judging by how quiet it was.

So she should save what she could.

After a long deliberation, she put the cookie back in her bag and looked at the candies.

‘Maybe I’ll just eat half of one.’

That would be enough… probably.

Just then, her eyes drifted to the portrait hanging on the wall—and met the eyes of the woman in it.

Of course, it was just a painting. The woman was still smiling warmly.

Evi stared for a moment, then stepped down from her chair with a candy in hand and walked over to the painting.

She knew it wasn’t real, but somehow, she felt like the woman in the picture had been keeping her company all this time.

That’s why she wasn’t scared, even now.

It was like someone kind was with her.

Maybe that’s why—Evi placed one of her two candies in front of the painting.

“I’ll give you this. The director says we should share tasty things.”

The candy she had just been thinking about breaking in half—she gave it away whole.

Of course, the painting wouldn’t eat it or reply.

But still, Evi wanted to offer something nice to the woman in the picture.

She was smiling proudly to herself when it happened.

Whoosh!

A slicing wind-like sound came from the ceiling.

Startled, Evi looked up—only to see a golden streak of light pass by the high window.

Eyes wide in amazement, she watched as the streak extended like a ribbon and began to spread like mist.

The glowing fog poured through the window and into the room.

As the gentle light slowly filled the space like falling drizzle, Evi took a cautious step back.

It was a sight she had never seen before—and it frightened her.

She retreated slowly, careful not to touch the light. But when her back touched the painting—

—It’s okay. It’s here for you.

A soft whisper brushed her ear, and she felt a hand gently pat her shoulder.

“…!”

She whipped around in shock—but behind her was only the smiling portrait.

Turning her eyes back to the light slowly drifting toward her,

‘It said it’s okay.’

That it was looking for her.

If that’s true…

Evi slowly reached out her hand toward the approaching light.