The Forbidden Forest

We are in the middle of this forest going back and forth for a long time and it doesn’t give me chill at all. This is not the first time we do hiking, as a matter of fact, this is our bonding every summer and it was all fun not until this day, I have a weird feeling like someone is watching us. Government prohibit everyone to enter this place without telling why, out of curiosity, we planned to take a look and see what’s really in here. No one tries to talk observing every place and frankly speaking, I’m scared. I knew everyone felt it too. The talkative Natasia unbelievingly silent. Jordan on the other hand searching for way out. The twins Ali and Alia holding each other, afraid for all of us. I’ve been observing this place especially that way we took in getting here, we tried to go back but it will just lead us here. ‘We should have just listen' C’mon Natasia, this is what we want. Let’s just help each other. There’s a way out of course. For the first time in my life, I’m unsure. But I want to believe that there is. We’re trapped, Celine. This is a maze. I knew regrets won’t do any good but that’s what I feel. I want to feel at ease. Does regretting one of us really makes you feel at ease? Natasia? We planned all of this and you’re on it too. We’re afraid too. Shut up and just regret us silently, if that’s what making you feel at ease. Alia, you’re being too harsh. What? I was just telling the truth, Jordan. She needs to get back to her senses. Her brain cells worked too bad. Speak nicely to her. You don’t have to be this harsh. Goodness. Celine told her calmly. Was it really hard to understand that Natasia? Alia, stop it. What now? Jordan? You’re defending her like you’re her boyfriend when your girlfriend is there? Alia point me and I don’t understand anything. Jordan looked at me with a worried face while Natasia is shocked. Seems like the twins new everything and they don’t have plans on telling me. They betrayed me. Why everyone loved to hurt me? Why does it have to be in this place? I stepped backward when Jordan tries to approach me. I didn’t know I was crying when a tears dropped. The scared that I felt earlier vanished and was replaced with betrayal, it’s killing me. I’ve been cheated in front. What’s worst, they were a friends that I think as my family. A boyfriend that I think were loyal and hurting me is what he hated. Celine, let me explain. What I saw and heard explained everything, Jordan. You hated hurting me but what did you do? It’s a mistake, Celine. I loved you truly. Believe me please. A tear falls in his eyes. Those eyes that I loved to stare because it was telling me he loved me. As of this moment, I hate it. I hate it that it tells me he really do. They said eyes speaks the truth. But why does I get hurt whenever I believed. What are you saying Jordan? You said you loved me too! You said you’ll let go of her after this hiking huh? Shut up! Natasia! I told you that, because you blackmailed me! Then what’s with your actions earlier? Why are you defending me? Why were you acting like you care? I did that with the thought that Alia was being too harsh on you! Celine! I heard Ali’s voice as I started running. He was observing me which I think the reason of his silence. I heard them calling my name except Natasia’s voice. I run as fast as I could, never mind the ending of this way. If it’s a cliff, I’d glad to jump. With tears in my eyes, I continued running even if my sight is getting blurry. How could they do this to me? All I did was to love and give everything all I can but this is what I got. Why does it have to hurt this much? A lot of thoughts coming in my head that I didn’t notice I was stumbled. I can’t get up, I am mentally and physically in pain. It’s too dark that I can’t see anything. I heard voices of unfamiliar people. I sneaked faster when their voices is getting clearer. What do these people doing in this place at this hour? You’re also here, Celine. Maybe, they were just like you. I want to see their faces if ever they aren’t bad people thinking they might help me. In a hole of this trunk, I saw them observing and smelling every place like a dog. They’re weird. I put my head down when a man was about to look where I was. Blood! A fresh blood! Search every place. O my! I love this smell. It’s a human! Aren’t they a human? I told myself, silently. They started searching and I’m not dumb, that’s why I keep my mouth shut and silently taking my first step when I saw the man— with fangs! God! They’re not human! I was so scared that it’s unable me to move. He smiled like I was the most delicious thing he saw. Well, I knew that, but not with this man. He’ll eat me without a doubt, he must be lucky. As I go back to my senses, I run as fast as I could. They’re fast! Lord God! I am calling all the Saints please hear me! I don’t want to die! I have to punch Jordan and slap Natasia. I want to be eaten by Patrick Schwarzenegger not by these people. They’re monsters. I cried when a metal nail stung at my right foot. s**t! How am I going to run when I couldn’t stand! I think I have to accept that this is the end. I sat and closed my eyes when I heard all those voices going in my direction. This is really my end. I opened my eyes when I felt I was being carried and I can’t count all those steps, that was so fast. Did they caught me? Why am I still alive? I looked up at the man who’s carrying me like his precious bride. I smiled when I saw his face. Handsome! I’ve never seen this kind of face before. Is he really true? Those smiles replaced by scared when I realized his face were like those monsters. I get caught! I’m dying. At least, I’ll be eaten by a handsome man not that man earlier. Still, I don’t want to die. I don’t know where are we, he put me slowly on the ground and put his hand in my right feet which surprised me because it was healed! I smiled widely at him to show I was thankful. I thought he’ll eat me. I need to heal your wound so that my co-vampires can eat you in whole. That would be exciting, right? What? You are vampires? What’s the point of healing this wound when you’re going to eat me? I thought you really helped me. Why would I save a human? Why you won’t? I’m beautiful. Is that not enough to help me get out of this place? You’re over confident. I don’t think so, if you and your friends can get out. Wait, were you the one who’s watching us? So, it’s you why we can’t find our ways. Yes, if I didn’t do that. You’ll be fooled for a long time. I am really grateful, vampire. I sarcastically said Maybe, being in this forest had a reason. Maybe, this happened for that thing. This happened because of this vampire. Wait? Why is he not like the others? He’s not into my blood. Am I really unattractive? I go back to my senses when I heard those voices again. I stared at this vampire when I realized he was going to leave me. Wait! Where are you going? I have to tell them that you’re here. I knew. I trust you! Don’t leave me, please. I feel betrayed again when he’s out of my sight. I have to survive. So, with all my courage, I stood up and ran. .... Where do you think you’re going human? Obviously, I’m escaping! So, please don’t eat me! I don’t want to die without punching and slapping those birds! Okay, go ahead. Let me help you. Are you serious? You are one of them right? I am. Just like the other, I am hungry and was ready to bite you but I don’t want to die. So, let me help you, human. A smile formed in his lips. By the way, who are you? My name is Ricardo. If you don’t want to die right now call me Ric. Why? Ricardo is actually great! Ricardo! I was froze when he stares at me suddenly. Okay Ric. That was so scared. Good. My name is Celine. What a nice name. Thank you! We are just walking like we’re not in the middle of danger. Both of us were silent. I don’t know this man, fully. I don’t even know where are we heading. It’s been a while since we start walking without talking but he doesn’t do anything to me at all. I think I can trust him. But what if, he was just getting the right timing to eat me? Therefore, I should trust no one. That one person I trusted the most, betrayed me. How much more this vampire? He is not a human. Trust me, vampire’s worth trusting for than a human He smiled genuinely Huh? How did you know that I was---- I can read your mind. You’re too loud. What? You can read my mind? That was awesome! How does it feel? I don’t think so, I hate reading anyone’s mind especially a human like you. Still, it’s awesome. Where are we heading anyway? Ricardo! I suddenly looked at the group of people–vampires I mean. Now, I can see them clearly. The sunrise shows that it would be a great day to start if only I wasn’t here facing with these immortals. Scared is visible in my face right now. That immortal called Ric by his full name were the one I saw last night with his fangs! I think it was them! They are five, obviously we are outnumbered. I got goosebumps when I saw Ric’s face, despite of that, I put all my courage to hold his hand to make him calm. I don’t know but I feel pity over those five immortals. I can see fire in Ric’s aura, calling him by that name makes him out of his self, with that only word, this is his reaction. Not sure if that little signal I made calm him. I’ve been holding him for a while. Ric, calm yourself. You might kill them. Ricardo! Ricardo! Ricardo! I’ll stop calling you by that name once you give me that human A sarcastic smile was written in his face. I’m scared. Calm yourself, Ric. Don’t listen to them. They’re not worth fighting for. I hope he’ll listen. Give that human to us Ricardo! Don’t listen to them Ric. I know you heard me. Please don’t listen. Control yourself. I am not saying this for my own benefit but also yours. Ric looked at me unbelievingly while I answered through staring at him. How did you do that? What did I do? Did you just talk to me through your mind? How did you do that? I am just intelligent. Boastful. Ricardo! You’re making me impatient. Give that human to us! Okay. What? You’ll really giving me to them? He nodded. s**t. Okay. Go, human! The f*ck Ric! Cussing don’t look good on you, Celine. In a count of three! 1…..2……run! Wait, what? Just run, you’re ruining the moment. Tsk. Without having a glance with those immortals. I ran as what Ric’s said. I never looked back because of having a feeling once I did that, I’d be a dead meat. I am a runner since I came in this place. The first time I run here was to escape the reality and the next, I was chased by vampires. I still can’t believe they were real especially surviving and currently running for my life. I don’t want to die. I said I don’t want to die, but now I’m doomed. They were approaching me with devilish smile on their faces. The only way out was to jump into this cliff. I can’t swim, s**t! It feels like everything is in slow motion as they started going in my direction, without any hesitation, I jumped. I’d rather die drowning than in their hands. Few seconds, I felt the cold water in my whole body, sinking into the deepest of the ocean, hoping someone will save me. Right at this moment, Natasia and Jordan was all I can see. Their moments together being happy while fooling me. Ali and Alia’s faces see me as a pathetic human being. My Mother that I left at home alone without knowing the whereabouts of her only daughter, surely, she’s worried. Ric, an immortal that hates his name the most, saved me. That vampire whom I didn’t expect will saved me on the brink of death. Right as this moment of my near death, I saw him. I woke up without knowing where I am, it’s still the forest but way too different than usual. I remembered I was chased by those vampires and drowning. How did I get here? Who saved me? There’s only one I know and it wasn’t Ric. I searched for him hoping I could find and gave him my gratitude. I know he left me in that woods but this is the second time he saved me. What if by searching him will lead me to danger? You’re already in danger, Celine. I am hungry. I was so scared that it makes me forget to eat. I have to find foods anyway. Even a piece of fruit will do. I’ve been searching for a long time yet there’s no foods. A rat! I will never eat a rat! Damn, Celine! A deer! There’s a deer here? I thought deer doesn’t exist anymore. Will I eat a deer? No, Celine. You can’t even hurt a rat. A deer is a waste of time, I’ll be a runner for the nth time. s**t! A snake! Vampires can’t even kill me, a snake? It’s just a piece of----s**t! Go away! I tried to run even climbed a tree, of course it’s a snake for Pete’s sake! Wherever I go, it could bite me! I saw a rock without minding it’s weight, I killed the snake. Can I eat a snake? Gross. Over my dead body. I am really hungry. A river! I smiled widely when I saw the river. Thank God, it’s clean. I drink as much as my stomach can take, washed my face and my body. I actually took a bath without minding if there were someone who’s looking at me. I heard a woman screamed and put on my clothes. Where’s that noise coming from? It’s a familiar voice. The woman keeps on screaming, hoping someone will help her. I tried searching where could it be that voice coming from. As a loud scream echoed, It’s here. A woman is crying while screaming. Goodness! It’s Alia! And a lion ready to eat her. Alia! Celine! She cried. Thank God! Help me please! I searched for anything to kill that animal. Luckily, I saw a wood. I spank it strongly at the head so that I could kill it easily. Because I was just a woman, a strength nothing compares to this wild lion. I just get its attention and angrily looking at me. I smiled like it won’t hurt me and I smiled again and run. While running I was looking for anything to defend myself whenever things get worst. I saw a knife in the tree, to whoever put it there, I’ll kiss you passionately. It’s not too far so I ran as fast as I could until I reached it ready to climbed up and here I got the weapon, hoping I could hit the target. I gathered my strength at the start to be able to back jumping, while I was in the air, everything feels like in slow motion, the sharp teeth of the lion ready to catch me. With all of my strength, the knife hit the head of the animal, the blood were all over his face laying on the ground, lifeless. Celine! Thank God! You’re safe! Alia approach me and give me a hug. I hugged her as well. Why’s Ali’s not here? They stick together. Where’s Ali? She was crying heavily as I asked her about his twin brother. I am worried by the way she respond. I let go first. Tell me Alia, where’s Ali? He got caught, Celine. I can’t believe they are really true. I saw them Celine. Ali sacrificed himself for me. Did you know where did they take Ali? I don't know. We’re searching for you and these monsters showed up and was about to get me but Ali’s took my place and he told me to run. I don’t know where is he. I was looking for him. Sadness is visible in her eyes. They searched for me. I’m really sorry, Celine. It’s my fault. If I didn’t makes it obvious. We won’t end up this way. I’m really sorry. It’s okay, Alia. I think it’s destined to happen. Even if it’s doesn’t happened, it will end up this way. This place had no way out. We have to fight for our lives. Let’s find Ali. So, we have to be strong because we need to fight Alia. We don’t know how many of them will get in our way as we find Ali. Calm yourself, we need to find foods, take a rest and will fight back before the sunrise. Okay? She nodded. … We’ve been looking for a long time, Celine. I think we need to take a rest first. Okay. Let’s take a rest. I was about to sit when we heard those familiar noise, voices of vampires. s**t! They’re not far from us. They can smell us. What are we going to do, Celine? Let's move while they're a little far from us.. We moved silently and carefully, after making sure we’re far from them. We run as fast as we can. They’re not human. No matter how far are they. The possibility of getting us caught is bigger. There’s a hut! C’mon Celine! Where? There! There might be foods. Let’s get inside. Wait, Alia. We need to be careful. This is not our place. There might be a bait. Let me hold you, Celine. Okay. Hold my hand. I need your spirit that day you slapped Natasia with your words, Alia. She just nodded. We both take our courage as we enter slowly the hut. The surroundings were way too silent that it makes me suspicious. I think nobody’s here Celine? There were foods! Stop! Alia! Let me check it first! I smell every foods in the table. It’s just so suspicious. Why there were foods when no one’s here? How will you going to check it? I’m going to taste it. If I collapse means it’s poisoned. If I didn't, then we’ll going to eat it. You have to wait until 5 minutes. What? Are you out of your mind? If it’s poisoned means you’ll die, Celine! This is the only way I know. So, pray for me. There were camote, cassava and fruits such as banana, grapes, mangoes, oranges and apples. A bagoong much the cassava and camote will be delicious. Thank you for whoever put these foods here, this is all my favorite. You’re making me nervous, Celine? Just relax, the whole world can’t imagine without my existence. Okay? Let’s see. He’s right. You’re over confident. Who? Nothing. I didn’t mind what Alia said since it wasn’t interesting anyway. I stare in every food and took the cassava which is my favorite. Delicious. This one is different. Celine, are you okay? Celine! O my gosh! Sit down. I feel dizzy. I put my hand in my head to support my act. Celine! Alia, I don’t think---- Gosh, stop talking. Just take a rest. I don’t think--- Stop talking. Okay? Take a seat. Do you have a headache? Yes, a little bit. Goodness! I grab the cassava and ate it which makes Alia shocked. I don’t think these foods were poisoned. So, let’s eat? I smiled. Wait. You don’t feel dizzy? No. I smiled. Ouch! She just slapped me! Why did you do that? You’re not a good actress! She pouted. I am, of course. It’s already obvious. It’s not a good joke, okay? I smiled at her and nodded. When we finished eating, we decided to take a rest. Why did you run, Celine? My body wants to. I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me, it won’t happen. I don’t think so. It’s destined to happened. Maybe, you’re making it early hahaha How could you laugh in this kind of atmosphere? Hahaha A talent? I guess? Aren’t you mad at them? Of course I am. They were my inspiration, actually. What? How? Every time I run for my life, their images will suddenly pop up giving me inspiration to run faster. I just can’t die without punching and slapping those two. Hahahaha I didn’t know you’re like this. I can understand you, we became friends because of your brother. Yeah, by the way. Being too smart is something right? You got it without mentioning it. It’s just that their actions solved the puzzle that time. What do you mean? They are here! As soon as we heard that, we were like lightning as we stood up and run. Shit! We forgot, we’re in the middle of death. Let’s just keep on running. Run, Alia! Celine, we’re doomed. They’re around us. Just run, Alia! Run! Let’s stick together! They can easily catch us if we stick together. Let’s run in separate ways. I’ll go in right while you turn left. In the count of three. 1…..2….3…Run! I can hear the voices of those immortals laughing while haunting us. I knew they can easily catch us, if they wanted to. These vampires challenged theirselves through making fun of us. With all my courage, I run two times faster than before since I regain my strength already. I’ll make sure they can’t catch me. Never underestimate a human, immortals. Got ya! Ric! Get her. Ric! Why are you doing this? Celine, you need to stop running, you’re tired of it, right? I’m not! Of course you are. Answer me. Why are you doing this? You really think, I could just let you go? You think, we’re friends? Sorry for that. He smiled devilishly. I looked at the ground hopeless. Did I really think, we’re friend? How can a human and a vampire be friends, Celine? Then, why did he save me? Maybe, for this? I just let them dragged me. I lost my strength. I have lots of thoughts in my head that’s so hard to explain and express. Why do I felt, I’ve been betrayed again? I should have feel embarrass then that will be okay. C’mon Celine, It’s just a span of time, why are you feeling this way? Why it was like betrayal when he only saved me once. A big gate is in front of us, as it opened, the whole village showed up. It seems like no one’s living in this place which makes it eerie. All I can see were knights standing 1 meter apart while the other guards were roaming around. No matter how eerie and mysterious this place was, I can’t help but mesmerized by the beauty of this place. Sometimes, beauty can be found in a place we never expect could bloom. I never notice we’re in front of a mansion. I saw a five man and a woman standing fiercely looking at me. The man in front who I think holds the highest position caught my attention, he’s familiar. They let me go caused me to kneel down. What are you doing here, human? The woman spoke fiercely made me goosebumps. How could she be had that kind voice, it’s full of authority. I glared at each of them, they are scary. Speak, human. Said the man beside the woman. Ask these individuals beside me Why would I ask them? Isn’t it obvious? What do you mean, human? If you couldn’t ask them then ask yourselves. What are you talking about? They're curious. Enlighten us, maybe we could forgive you. He creepily said. You think I’ll take the bait? Ask yourselves why did you command these individuals to get me? or, ask them why did they catch me? Not me. You’ll never see me here in front of you immortals if only you didn’t told them? Do you think I like here? You’re sarcastic, human. You’re wishing your own death. The other one with a blonde man approach me angrily and holds the collar of my clothes. Answer nicely if you don’t want to be dead right here. He smiled angrily. You know what? You’re gorgeous and smell so good. I’m aware of that. You don’t have to remind me. I confidently said. Hahahahahahahahaha I like this human! Hahahaha I like your confidence! Hahahaha Stop laughing Tristan! Okay. Did you just see this situation of you as a joke? Do you think it’s a quip? So, you’re serious. Kill this human! My heart palpitate crazily as what this vampire said. Is this really my end? What are you talking about André? She’s not a human. She’s one of us.