Root down
At first he was not afraid of the dark. He was aware that the only thing visible beneath the branches was the shimmer of moonlight reflecting in his eyes. His crooked spine held a tension, ready to release at every sudden movement. His hands formed claws.
Within reach of one final step forward he saw the shape.
Whether it was still alive or not, he could not say. It was still emitting warmth, though.
As his sight adapted the lack of light in the undergrowth, diverting highlights and shades of the surroundings, he felt a slight hiss of wind streaking through the twigs. A last breath maybe.
The grey-cloaked figure cowered at the stem sank to the left, the head resting on the tree’s roots. The hood had fallen back, revealing a pale grey face of uncertain age, framed by strands of dark hair. She seemed unconscious.
He dared to come forward.

Knelt down by her side he beheld the coal ornaments on her arms, carved in a manner that was not known to the northern tribes. Her skin steamed in the night frost, yet seemed partially cold. He searched for the signum round her neck. She was not wearing one, nor had he ever seen her before. Drawn from her lids down to the jaw run what looked like tears, traces of black earth.
And her eyes opened.

A horrid abyss drew him in, falling, his nerves were torn by the echoing of screams, and in the scarred walls of this devouring gorge he saw cracks, glowing red springs of her hot, ancient blood. He felt thorns piercing his naked limbs and as the darkness vanished he heard the woods vibrating from the echo of his animalic scream.
She was risen, her arms around him, firm as stone.
Two cold mirrors were staring at him and he knew that she had seen into him as he had seen into the abyss.
‘Mother!’, he cried out, and the abyss opened again.
He could feel the roots withdrawing under his feet, earth melting as they sank down standing. He tore at her, his nails leaving red streaks on the grey veils. She held him closer, silent, kissing his hair.
Again the roots extended, weaving a darker firmament.
Now useless, his eyes closed.