Season Of The Witch

11PM: September 22, 2026

 It was almost time. Alana had been planning since the summer started, as she had every year, even though it was just her, Bob, her lovable golden retriever, and Fred… her cockatoo. 

She had built the cottage years ago; Well.. paid someone to build it. But it was hers. Her own cozy little cabin, away in the middle of nature, just as she had always dreamed about. 

“Can you feel it in the air, Bob?” The Golden retriever seemed to give her a nod. 

It was her favorite time of year. For some reason, she just always felt better during the fall. The air seemed purer. Her body became more energized. Best of all, good things just seemed to happen once the leaves started to change. 

Alana knew things this year seemed different. She was reaching her 4oth year of life. It just seemed symbolic. She felt like she was going to go through some sort of major life change. The thought terrified her. 

However..

It was her season. 

She was excited to see that the night sky was clearer than ever. Allowing her the perfect view of the moon. Waxing crescent, of course; new beginning. 

As the clock drew nearer to midnight, Alana removed her long white night gown. She’d made sure she was far enough into the woods to be alone.  Dancing and bathing in the moonlight had become a tradition for her. 

Alana wasn’t quite sure when it started. One night, the moonlight seemed to hypnotize her. She had been lying out, waiting for Autumn to arrive as the norm, and the moon had appeared from behind a cloud. 

First, the moonlight touched her toes. She started moving them around, and as the light slowly reached her heart (and soul), she just started to dance..

It wasn’t your usual dancing either. It felt very primal. She felt at one with the moon. Almost like the light of the moon was a drug to her. Allowing her complete happiness in those moments. 

Knowing she couldn’t dance naked in the local park, she bought a great chunk of land in the middle of nowhere, so she could be at peace and alone. As she wanted. 

Moving melodically under the light of the moon, Alana allowed her heart to guide movement, almost becoming one with the moon. 

Her long, golden brown curls were now flowing through the air with the wind, making her feel like a goddess. 

Then a chime in the distance. Midnight. 

ITS TIME.

Without thinking, Alana raised her arms in the air as a gust of wind rushed by. Leaves floated up off the ground, swirling around her. 

Bob gave a little huff as her feet gently lifted off the ground for a moment. 

Fred gave him a quick “squeak,” telling him to be quiet. 

Alana noticed how quiet it was suddenly. All the normal noises from wildlife were no longer speaking to her. Instead, she saw in the distance a glowing light floating towards her. 

A single firefly danced by. 

Then one by one, more gathered around her, weaving tiny ribbons of light through the air. 

They seemed to match her every movement. 

Alana watched as the fireflies lit up the sky even more. Their twinkling brings light to the gentle moving around the forest. 

Wings fluttered over her head. 

An owl..

The owl perched itself high in a tree and gave a cheerful hoot. Alana realised that the forest was becoming increasingly alive around her as animals continued to gather. 

Something caught her attention off to the side. 

A fox was sitting with a rabbit resting on its back. 

Like they were old companions.

What a strange sight. 

She couldn’t help but smile. 

How beautifully poetic. 

The rabbit seemed to be staring at her now in wonderment. It must be a strange sight for the animals to witness. Then the rabbit nestled its little head back down into the fox's silky red fur. 

Pointing her feet to the ground, her toes gently brushed a patch of dry grass. The grass slowly started to grow. It seemed that everywhere Alana stepped, a new piece of life would bloom. A flower beneath one toe, moss under the other. 

Then, like something out of a fantasy, she witnessed something that seemed almost impossible. The large petals of a sunflower were opening up, one by one, almost as if to say “Hello” to the moon. 

Her gaze drifted toward the tree line. The moonlight was shining directly on what seemed to be a bed of fresh rose petals. The petals grew in abundance, and she knew exactly what the moon was telling her. 

Walking to the kaleidoscope of petals, Bob and Fred followed behind her in unison. 

It was time to rest. 

She softly lay her luxurious locks on a thick patch of velvety moss. Alana felt safe. 

Fred nest in a tree close by. 

Bob paced in slow circles next to Alana and dug a cozy spot to settle down. 

Alana peacefully closed her eyes as she drifted to sleep. 

Her season was just beginning.