Other than to help with the birth of my pupil and to investigate the terrible screams of the night before, I had never before left my walls. There was no memory that I couldn't place inside of my prison. The people who gave me life had left me there as soon as they discovered my powers, leaving me alone inside those stone walls to die. I was too young to remember them, but I did remember someone finding me, half-starved. An elderly woman, seeking shelter...

I heard the beautiful sound of a bird. I had never heard such song, as no bird would ever fly over my home, let alone take refuge in the trees in my garden. The towering pines were new as well. My apple tree was no match for these ancient guardians of this forest. There was life bustling around everywhere, squirrels flying amongst the branches, birds chatting with each other, and once a beautiful doe with two young fawns trailing behind her crossed my path.

I relished the warm morning sun. Its comforting rays caused me to nearly forget the pain that I had felt, and I held onto the feeling. It was still a little chilly, and it nipped at my cheeks and unclothed arms, bringing a bright pink to my pale skin. The air was fresh and crisp, and I breathed in the smell of pine and good soil. I closed my eyes to take it all in, but as soon as there was nothing distracting my mind, I saw the still shape of John laying upon the unforgiving stone floor of my neighbor's home, heard the crack of a whip over the chirping of birds, and felt the dull ache in my heart. 

I opened my eyes again, tears streaming down my cheeks. The image haunted my thoughts, burned into my eyelids like a brand. There was no escape from the reality of it. 

I had a task to do. The distraction was much appreciated. I continued to walk south, using the sun to guide me, marking arrows on trees in the direction I was going. For several hours, I walked, marking trees, hoping that I would come across the small village where my home was. I knew I couldn't stay there anymore. The image of Matilda, huddled up in a bloody mess in the corner, and her lover, collapsed against the wall, reminded me that I was now a serious threat to the people of the village. I had not killed the man, but I couldn't be sure about the old hag. They were probably discussing what to do with me that very moment. The man would have put it upon himself to avenge the witch for the pain I inflicted on her, and since his story was the only one they would hear, it would become the truth. They would decide to put aside their fear and take care of me once and for all. The evil and cruel witch would be put to death, burning slowly at the stake.

I shuddered. How I hated fire could not be explained easily. As I child, there was nothing more beautiful that fire. Its power was incredible, and I remember when I was learning how to protect myself, I longed to know how to control it. Words from long ago rose up in my mind. Do not take fascination in the bright orange blossom atop the candle, Iris. It burns and destroys all it touches. It cannot be wielded like a sword. It will not listen. Do not use it, no matter what, for surely you will be burned. It had been a very long time since I had heard that name. No one else knew it. It was the only way I could find her again. Little flower...

The sounds of the forest began to fade away as it gave in to the shouts and everyday lives of men. The smell of smoke began to tickle my nose, full minutes before I could see the first chimney poking up past the trees. I had finally made it.

It would have been suicidal to go into the village. The only purpose of finding it was to determine where in the forest we were. The dense growth of trees which we had come to call the Dark Forest very originally was just south to the small cluster of homes we called Riverside, again, very originally, as just a few paces east of the farthest farm was a river that ran northeast to southwest, straight through the forest. Following this river would take me to Hilltop. No one really knows why it is called that since it lays in a secluded valley.

With a general idea of where we were, I went back to the tower, following the arrows pointing to Rapunzel, erasing some of them to prevent villagers from finding us.