The Forest Cottage

7

The next day they all returned. The butler opened the door. Mrs Chiller was sitting om the couch and having tea. " How was, your ski trip very early you people returned " she asked setting down her light blue tea cup. " Mother it was cut short because of some things will tell you later " Clint said. Rita went huffing directly to her room. And Laura for some time sat on a, chair in the hall. " I am returning to Newyork tomorrow " Laura said. " Does Clint know about it " Mrs Chiller asked. " No now i will tell him " Laura told. Clint entered the room." Laura is going back she told " Mrs Chiller said. Clint was just silent and didn't react. " As you wish Laura " he just said.

Later in the night Laura packed her bags and slept. But in middle of night she heard some sound outside. She tried to open the door but it was locked from outside. " Who did that. Waitvlet me call Clint or John. But her mobile was not there in her purse and the landline was coming cut off. She went towards the window to shout for help. " At midnight who will hear here. What I do now " Laura started panicking. But to her relief and surprise John was standing below in the shrubs. " John here I am they have locked the room door " she shouted." I knew something fishy was going on here and I couldn't sleep so I came to check here don't worry I'm coming up " he said. " No don't come up they won't open the door. I will try to climb down " Laura said. " You fast jump and I will catch you " he said. Laura was hesitating but from outside she heard sound of Rita and she jumped reluctantly. John almost caught her. " Lets run away from here. Rita was there " Laura screamed. They started running. Johns car was parked in the cub. They sat in it and drove away. " So Rita was the one " Laura said.

Next day John left Laura in Newyork in his, car. Laura never talked with Clint. " Have you notified the police " Laura asked. " Yes i have " John replied. " Stay in touch i will leave now " he said. " Okay but you can come on the weekends and maybe we could all three of us Meg you and me could go to beach. And yes i could show you the city " " Sure why not, we will " Clint said to her.

The Carribbean Cruise

" So which dress u are wearing for the Caribbean cruise " asked Jesse to her sister Suri. " Come on

its just a cruise boat vacation not some fashion event "replied Suri. " You can't be trusted who knows

u may end up there with with ur casual clothes only " said Jesse. Suri rolled her eyes. Both of them

were sisters similar looking. While Jesse was the impulsive one Suri was the sensible of the two.

Blonde good-looking with aquamarine eyes both of them. " Even Lila Tod n Ed are coming so I'm

excited its going to be fun.

Who knows we may end up meeting some more cute guys " exclaimed Jesse. " We already have

enough of cute guys here in pleasant valley Jesse !" said Suri. Lila was the rich snooty best friend of

Jesse. Ted was Suris old time boyfriend and Ed the class clown was also coming. He was a nice

looking fellow with a sarcastic sense of humour. After packing their mini luggage they got ready n

went down to the kitchen to have coffee. The ad for this five day Caribbean vacation cruise they had

seen in the newspapers. Ned their lawyer father entered. " Ok girls so u ready come on I will drop

you to the boat . It leaves at five.

They will leave without u if you dont make it on time there. Both the girls hugged n said goodbyes to

their mother Nancy a interior designer n were on their way. In the car Jesse said " Did you read

today's newspaper William has been released from jail. William was the handsome but dangerous

man their father had convicted two years ago for assaulting his daughters. " I hope hes not looking

for revenge now " said Suri. " Come on u worry too much this vacation is just what you need " said

Jesse. " Girls focus on the holiday n forget about him ok " said their father. They reached the cruise.

It was huge n was glittery with yellow shimmery lights against the lovely evening sunset background

of the sea. " It's so romantic looking " gushed Jesse. After they had entered the deck Lila Ted n Ed

were waiting for them. "I have bought lots of sunscreen lotions, one can trust this carribean sun "

said she. " Oh my God Lila rly " laughed Suri. " Meet me at the deck for dinner after getting ready "

said Ted. " Y Ed u have bought such a small luggage said Lila. " Come on u guys I have come to

just give you guys company so that you all don't get bored "said he. They all laughed. While entering

their room Suri asked Jesse " where is ur cell phone ? " Jesse frantically searched inside her shiny

black bag. " Oh no I forgot it at home what now. " Nothing can be done now said Suri. ~ ~ ~ ~ After

refreshing n getting ready they went to the upper deck for dinner. Lila was wearing a cream coloured

dress with a delicate diamond chain around her neck. " Hope the chefs good here " she said. " The

butler said its a French cook dishing out marinated chicken with white sauce tonight" said Jesse. "

Sounds good " gushed Suri. Ted n Ed joined them at the tables. " Dapper looking you two " said Suri

swimmingly. " Whose that creepy guy there he looks weirdly familiar " said Jesse pointing towards a

brown haired guy who was sitting with his back towards them having beer. " Come on no more of ur

detective sleuthing here " said Lila to Jesse. " During their dinner which was white sauced chicken

with red wine. And the desert was chocolate fudge. " He seems to be looking here only. Really I tell

you guys I don't get a good feeling about him " said jesse. " Will u pls let us eat " said Lila. " Is

anyone troubling you guys asked Ted. " I will put some sense into him if u all want saud Ed. "

Nothing dear forget it said Suri. Later The waiter came with a note towards them saying a guy

forwarded it. When Jesse opened the note her face went white with what was written inside it. The

note said " I'm ur past terror and I have come back. " When Suri saw the note she too was shocked.

Maybe it's just someone's idea of fooling around " said Lila to Jesse n Suri after they told them

about the note. " It doesnt look one bit funny but. Who could it be " said Suri. " Listen don't worry all

will be okay " said Ted. Ed said " such things happen forget it. Maybe someone got attracted by you

two beauties here .. " Their dinner was cut short n they went to retire to their rooms to sleep early. In

the night as Jesse was lying awake on her pillow. She thought about William. Is he really back.

Where is he now. A shudder ran through her body n she slept fitfully. Suri too was not feeling sleepy

in her room when a knock came on her door. She opened it. It was Ted. " " Ted what u r doing here

" exclaimed Suri. "I knew u was awake " he said smilingly n gave her a small pecking kiss on the lips

n went. " " Wait " said Suri. " " Lets go to the upper deck to catch some fresh midnight air ". " Okay

come then " replied Ted. They both went to the upper deck. It was a very balmy breezy night. Suris

hair was flying because of the wind. They went n stood near the railings. The star's were

shimmering in the sky with the full moon casting a cool glow all around. " Isnt it lovely " exclaimed

Suri. Only the lapping of the sea waves could be heard. " Yes its lovely like you " said Ted.

Suddenly Suri got a chilling feel creeping on her back. She felt like as if someone was watching her.

She turned around and just saw a man's shadow turn away from the upper deck. Whose this man

whose stalking here. Next morning Suri woke up to the sunshine falling on her face through the

cruise window. She saw the alarm clock it read 11 in the morning. Jesse came rushing into her room

saying " fast have ur breakfast we are going for sun tanning with the guys. " After having a breakfast

they got ready n went to the upper open deck. Lila was already there laying around getting herself

sun tanned while reading a fashion magazine. " So u guys have come " she said. " Where is Ted n

Ed " asked Suri. " Both are in the swimming pool " pointed Lila. Ed came out dripping with water

while Ted was swimming. In the evening Jesse was having her coffee when Ed entered her room. "

Hey lets take a evening walk around over the cruise boat what says u. " " Sure chipped in Jesse " as

its getting suffocating here in the room lets check out the food n magazine outlets up. Not to forget

the crowd. " So they both went hand in hand up. After strolling around for sometime it was late

evening now n getting darker. The sun had already set. " Just you wait I will get a lighter to light our

cigarettes " said Ed and went to get it. Meanwhile Jesse looked at the twilight sky and the waves

Chapter crashing against the fast running cruise boat. There was a sound of some thump. And Jesse found

herself falling into the sea. It felt like the ground beneath had gone and she was

sucked into the ocean. Someone had pushed her! ♡ Chapter three. She tried not to drown. She

struggled to swim. Suddenly there was a splash and Ed had joined her. He was a good swimmer. "

What happened " shouted Jesse. " I don't know I just saw u falling and came after you. " What we

do now it's not possible to climb this huge cruise boat. " " See there is some island sort of there I

think let's swim there " Ed panted against the stormy sea waves. " No i can't swim that far " said

Jesse. " We have to do u want to drown " said Ed. So they both swam for some time and reached

the shore of the island. It was a forest type island full of thick green trees. " It looks uninhabitated "

said Ed who was dripping all wet. So was Jesse who was breathless with the swimming. It was very

late in the evening now. The sky was full dark and the moon had rosen in the sky. "How did u fall

Jesse " asked Ed. " Someone pushed me " said Jesse. " It was so good of u to come after me Ed

what I would have done without u if you had not jumped after me. " " Now let's think about our plan

here what we do now. The cruise boats gone. Suri n Lilan Ted will get worried about us " said Ed.

Jesse layed down on the grass for sometime catching her breath. Then she got up n looked around

her. It was dark now n the huge trees surrounded them. She shivered because of the cold wind

which was blowing. " We have to find some shelter " said Ed coming behind her. When from far a

wolf's moan could be heard. " My God what was that now " whispered Jesse.

" It's a wolf " wispered Ed. Then again the wolves sound came nearer. "We have to hide somewhere "

said Jesse. " Theres nothing to hide here anywhere " said Ed. " Hurry maybe some cave must be there

nearby " said Jesse. They ran into the trees. It started to rain a bit There was thick bushes all around. But

no where to take shelter in. Suddenly in front of them in the darkness two animal hazel eyes glowed. It

was the wolf he was in front of them. " Climb this tree fast said Jesse n both of them struggled to climb a

tree trunk. The black wolf sprang in their direction n waited prowling for them down for some time n then

went away. Both of them stayed up in the trees. Panting n breathless. Slowly after sometime they

climbed down steathily. " Hope it won't come back again " hushed Jesse. Then they started going more

inside the woods searching for some sticks to make a fire n some shelter. From far off the light of some

house could be seen. " I don't believe it look there's a house here in the woods " exclaimed Jesse. It's a

mansion " said Ed as they came more nearer to it. They started scramping towards it. It started to rain

heavily now and the grass was also wet below their feet. Ed let out a scream. " Whats it panicked Jesse.

" Something stung me. " " Wait let me see. " They stopped n she saw his feet. A scorpion had stung him.

It could be seen crawling away in to the trees.

Ed started screaming. Jesse told him " have patience Ed we will find you help ok. See there is, a mansion of sort there in the forest. We will go there. " " How can you just go into anyones house. Who knows who they are. Here we are out in the woods stranded all alone in the middle of nowhere. Its late night time " Ed argued. " Listen all knower do we have any option. Atleast they will give you something for that stung. And we do need a boat to get out of here. And to make a, call a phone. Which will be there in the house so lets just get going " Jesse said.

" I am still doubtful about this. After seeing so many of those slasher movies " Ed said. " Seriously Surie should have gotten stranded here with you instead of me " Jesse said angrily. " Okay i agree with you lets go there. Give me a help in walking till there " Ed said. " Is it paining the sting " Jesse asked. " Yes its fresh so " Ed replied. And both of them made their way towards the mansion slowly through the wet forest grass.

Hurry we have to get help now said Jesse n picked gave a hand to a limping Ed n went towards the

mansion. As they came nearer to it. Jesse rang the bell. A butler opened the door. He was bald thin n tall

with a scowl on his face. " Who r u n what are you doing here! " he asked. Jesse explained to him the

situation. And he let them entered inside. Immediately a maid was called to give first aid to Ed. While

Jesse sat n watch. " No problem u guys stay here till we arrange a boat for you. Till then you change ur wet

dresses n have tea n some snack. " The butler said. " Sir will be coming after some time from his hunting

expedition. He will be hospitable towards you don't worry " butler said n went. Jesse n Ed were shown to

their rooms. It was an old but nice looking mansion with Victorian style rooms. Jesse patted Eds hand

gave him a hug n went to her room. " Take the medicine " she said to him. Once inside her room from the

window she could see the beach n a far away tower light. " I wonder how much worried Suri n all must be

" she pondered. ~ ~ ~ ~ On the cruise boat Suri n Lila n Ted were frantic with worry about the missing

Jesse n Ed. They informed the captain. He said he will search the boat thoroughly n also send some life

boats with men to the nearby island in case they had gone astray there. " I hope they are safe " said a

crying Suri. Ted and Lila comforted her. ~ ~ ~ ~ Meanwhile here in the mansion the owner of it returned.

He was a middle aged moustaches burly man. The butler told him about the visitors. " At dinner I will meet

them " he said curios with interest. He went to refreshen. At dinner vegetable salad and a roasted spiced

turkey was served with white wine. The man introduced himself as George. He asked Jesse n Ed about

themselves how they got stranded here. " So lad how is ur leg now " he enquired. " It's better now "

replied Ed. " You were lućky it was attended to quickly " the man said.

During dinner Jesse hit an idea. " Do you have a cell phone we can use to call my sister ? " " No we don't

keep cell phones here by the way there's no network here its a jungle remember. Hundred years back

my great grandfather built this place. And I came here to live with nature n, for my hunting which is my

life " he said. Jesse rolled her eyes disappointed. " And for ur return arrangements we will see what can

be done " the man said. Meanwhile on the cruise this man sat with a evil smile on his face. You two girls

I'm back he said to himself. . . In the night Jesse before sleeping opened the window for some fresh air.

A chill breeze blew in. Accompanied by the sound of crickets all around. As she lied down on the pillow a

startling thought came to her. Who was it who had pushed her. Then she remembered it the eerily

familiar face. It was William ! Now what she should do ahead. In middle of the night she was not getting

any sleep so she went towards the window n was startled. A boat with yellow glinting lights seem to be coming.

Jesse rushed into Eds room . " Ed wake up there's a boat coming to the beach. And I know who pushed

me it was William. Hes back. " Ed had all woken up now " What really so are we going near to that boat.. "

" Shh I think we should go to take that boat. Whoever is on it will help us go back home or to the cruise

boat. I don't trust this George man here n that butler. Weird pair. Imagine someone whose living in the

middle of the forests " Jesse said. " Hmm but shouldn't we tell them we are going or do u think its safe to

go thru the wildness in the middle of night Jesse. For God's sake have u forgotten the wolf n the scorpio

incident " Ed asked. " Okay I will tell the butler to arrange for a transport vehicle to take us to the beach

now " Jesse said. " Wait dear let morning come we will go then ok " Ed argued. " Okay sighed Jesse n laid

a hand on Eds shoulder n asked him how's his leg. He said its okay now. And she went back in her room.

~ ~ ~ ~ Morning came. Jesse n Ed were sitting in the dining room with Mr George having breakfast of

bacon fried eggs, jam butter n orange juice. " So lass you saying there's a boat which has come to the

beach and you want to go there " he asked Jesse. " Yes as you see we are actually in a hurry to return

back " she replied. " If u have waited a little longer I would have tried to made some going back

arrangements but as you wish let's go n see who has arrived on my island " George said. " Sure thank you

" said Jesse looking at Ed drinking quietly his orange juice. While looking at him she thought such a nice

friend she has whose such a comforting and supportive company. And he did jumped after me to save me.

I like my dear Ed so much " she mulled. The butler removed the forest jeep and they all hopped in it. So

did George.Then they were on their way to the beach. In between they saw a deer running in front of

them. It was mild dewy morning with the sunshine shining through the clouds. Then they heard a scream.