Layla and her family lived outside the village, their quaint house built about a mile within the entrance of the forest. Unlike the elders of the village, her family held no beliefs in the "legends" of the forest. They were comfortable in their home, though they knew well that mischief could appear anywhere. Perhaps it was the total darkness that surrounded the thick groves that made people eerie of it. Either way, the locals ignorantly viewed Layla's family as being prone to evil because of their choice to not be within the community, though it was a completely bogus assumption.<br/><br/>Her mother and father allowed her to play in the woods, never fearing for her safety. She giggled melodiously as she sprinted through the trees, taking every opportunity possible to balance herself on fallen logs whenever she encountered them. She sang herself a pleasant tune, something about love wickedness. Perhaps her mannerisms only helped in giving her family a bad reputation, but they were loving and carefree.<br/><br/>Strawberry blond ringlets were gathered into a secured bun at the base of her neck, errant tendrils bouncing as she moved energetically through the forest. Her amber eyes sparkled, flecks of gold dancing from the sunlight's fading rays.<br/><br/>Suddenly, the forest became unnaturally dark, as if something had completely shut off the sun. Eyes tilted to the sky to the sliver of moonlight that barely pressed through the thick groves of towering trees. Though she couldn't see much, she noticed a change in the wide sky: a new moon. She knew well the stories of the woods. Legend said that the change in the moon signified a shift in power between the fairies of good and evil, but she didn't believe it.