The night was warm for early June and the scent of wild lilacs wafted over the village like the promise of something new. Victor walked quietly, shuffling between the huts with a basket in his hand. The burden was not heavy, although his heart was pounding like mad. Today everything was about to change. The gathering was at the old barn, at the end of a path overgrown with nettles. There, Jaga was already waiting, perched on a stone, and Szymek, hidden in the shadows. Only Lena was late as usual, although no one had any regrets about it. Each of them felt a sense of unease in the air - something bigger than the minor daily affairs of the village. - 'I told you that something was walking by the edge of the forest again at night,' chuckled Szymek, holding a wooden sling in his hands. - 'Probably a deer again, or a fox,' replied Jaga, but her voice did not even try to sound convincing. Victor smiled pale and put the basket on the ground. Inside was a piece of fresh bread, two apples and a torch. - 'It's a good thing we decided to go. We have a chance to see what kind of creatures are leaving footprints by the stream. Suddenly Lena jumped out from around the corner, breathless and excited. - I saw them! I swear! - ' she screeched, with her eyes wide open. - They had long, thin arms and their eyes shone ridiculously. As I got closer, I heard whispering. All four of them looked at each other. This was no longer a joke. Whispers from the forest of the Birch have always been the subject of campfire stories, but until now none of the children had really seen anything like this. - Shall we go? - Victor asked, raising his torch. They set off into the darkness, leaving the illuminated windows of the village behind them. Their footsteps were muffled by the forest litter, and the sounds of the night became increasingly alien. The further they entered, the stronger the impression that the forest knew of their presence. When they reached a clearing where an old, spreading lime tree grew, Lena stopped suddenly. - There, look! - she whispered, pointing with her hand to the darkness between the trees. Behind the thick trunk stood a motionless figure with long fingers, her eyes shining with a pale light. Small silhouettes swirled around her, whispering words they could not understand. The children froze, uncertain whether they should take another step or run away immediately. The forest seemed to close behind them, and the air thickened with anticipation. What would happen next?