She did look back, if only for a moment once she was already at the top of the stairs. And she hesitated just a bit, before continuing on her way home.

As soon as she reached her house, she sent a message to her friends, letting them know of the situation but asking them not to interfere. This was something she wanted to see through herself.

After finding a way for her animals to be taken care of, she spent the rest of the remaining day with her friends, assuring them that she was all right. Then the evening came, and she took care of the animals before going to sleep in her bed.

Come the morning, though, she was up as early as always, once again feeding and caring for the animals as she always did. But when that was finished, she retrieved the handkerchief she said she would bring.

And soon she returned to the forest where the door had been before, waiting.