Mt. Douglas Fairy

Still a work in progress - on and off, as inspiration comes. The text continues to grow, little by little. Hopefully, one day it will all come together into a book.
"The moment I stepped into the forest, its hidden world unfolded before me - dark, towering, and hushed. I could have sworn I smelled incense in the air. The trees, the leaves, the moss underfoot, and the brittle branches overhead - all of them seemed to recognize me. As if I were an old friend returning after a long absence. They asked where I had been, but I had no answer. Instead, I asked them questions of my own - about the dance of light and shadow, the patterns, the heartbeat of the woods.
Now and then, our quiet conversation was broken. Sweaty, middle-aged joggers passed by, or elderly dog walkers with shuffling steps. Young couples, tangled in love and trail, would appear briefly. At such moments, my forest companions would vanish. But once the strangers moved on, they returned - ready to share more memories.
And then I saw her.
I can’t explain how it happened. She startled me as much as I did her. In a blink, she ducked behind a cluster of leaves. Moments later, she peeked out - timid, curious - and just as our eyes met, she vanished again. I forgot entirely about the camera in my hands. The moment was too brief to capture, too delicate for study. I can't recall her size, or the exact shape of her wings - though I remember she had them. Her face, her figure - they’re lost to me. I’m not even sure whether she flew or slipped away on foot.
But the memory? That stayed. Etched deep, beyond reason or detail."