Dorothy had never seen anything like the twisted yellow brick road before. It wound through a dark, foreboding forest, its path illuminated only by the occasional flash of lightning. She clutched Toto close to her chest and shuddered, wondering what kind of place she had stumbled upon.

As she walked, the trees around her seemed to come alive, their branches reaching out to her like gnarled fingers. A chill ran down her spine, and she quickened her pace.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree, illuminating the path ahead. Dorothy gasped in horror as she saw a group of strange creatures emerge from the shadows. They were small and misshapen, with twisted limbs and jagged teeth. They scurried towards her, their beady eyes gleaming in the darkness.

Dorothy stumbled backwards, tripping over a gnarled root. Toto barked in alarm as the creatures closed in on them, their claws scratching at her dress.

Just as all hope seemed lost, a figure appeared out of the darkness. It was a woman, dressed in flowing robes and wielding a staff. The creatures recoiled in fear as she approached, her eyes blazing with an otherworldly light.

"Stay back!" she commanded, her voice ringing out like a bell. "These children are under my protection."

The creatures hissed and spat, but eventually retreated back into the shadows. Dorothy stared in awe at the woman, unsure whether to thank her or run away.

"Who are you?" she asked tentatively.

The woman smiled, but there was no warmth in her eyes. "I am the Witch of the West," she said. "And you, my dear, are in grave danger."