The Veil of Shadows

Chapter 1 Amara's POV "Hey, Amara! Are you really sure you will go with Uncle Joseph? You still have time to change your mind." I was currently packing things when my friend, Chandria, asked. I didn't waste any more time looking back at her. I answered this question while continuing to fold the clothes I would bring that were good for two days. "Isn't it obvious yet?" I said sarcastically. Like hello? Will I still be packing if I don't come? Uncle Joseph invited me to go hiking in Mount Puhon. They know I love climbing mountains, so they immediately thought of taking me along. They knew I wouldn't turn them down. When do I say no when it comes to hiking? Also, it's been a few months since I climbed the mountain. I miss the peaceful view from the top of the mountain, especially the fresh breeze from the tall trees in the middle of the forest. In the middle of the jungle, I found my peace. Weird. I felt the bed I was sitting on move. Chandria got up from lying down and sat next to me. I can't wait to hear what she has to say. Well, she will just encourage me not to come because she has nothing to gossip about for two days. "Do you know the rumor about Mount Puhon?" Her tone was mixed with threats. I noticed that Keith, my other friend, stopped doing his homework in front of his laptop when he heard what Chandria said. He was probably startled by Chandria's threatening voice. I laughed because there was a trace of fear on his face. After a while, he got up from sitting and then came near to us. He even huddled between me and Chandria. I moved just to meet him. I don't complain anymore because I'm used to him when our topic is like this. "What news, sis?" Keith asked curiously. “Spill it.” "The elders in the other town say that Mount Puhon is full of mystery and wonder!" Chandria emphasized her threatening tone even more. I felt Keith grab my shoulder. He seemed like a kid being bullied. Chandria's threat had no effect on me. I am still organizing the things I will bring and pack. I have to prepare for it because we talked with Uncle Joseph about leaving early in the morning. My things must be ready before I go to bed. "I guess all the mountains I've climbed said the same thing," I said. It seems to me that I don't believe them and that what they are saying is just threats. “It's true, Amara! They said that there are inexplicable creatures that are living on the top of the mountain. Others who have climbed the mountain said that it seems that someone has been watching them throughout their journey and studying their every move. If I'm not mistaken, on that same mountain the body of a man who was thrown off and found with a bite on his neck! It is not known what kind of teeth bit the man, as long as the fangs used were deep and sharp for whatever kind of animal or creature it was! "Oh, another piece of news I've heard, if you haven't asked…” "Hey, Chandria! Can you stop?” Keith immediately went to the middle of the bed and took the blanket, he covered it all over his body to hide. Chandria and I couldn't help but laugh at our friend's reaction. He almost twisted himself just to fit in the blanket and no part of his body wanted to be released from the blanket. Chandria immediately threw a pillow at him. "You're overreacting, huh. The size of your body is more scary. Maybe those strange mountain creatures will be even more afraid of you when they see how big your body is." "How dare you, Chandria! Stop talking about my big body. When I take pills, I'm telling you, I will not let you see my deadly sexy body!” Keith removed the wrapped blanket from his body. Keith could not hide that, despite being soft, his body had grown. His body is well shaped like a man. As a matter of fact, there is a big possibility of getting him as a male model because of his macho body, but he never dreamed of that because he wanted to take pills to speed up his body transformation. Well, we supported what he wanted to happen. He is happy with having a girl’s heart, we accept him as he is. Chandria just rolled her eyes at Keith. "Okay, fine. It seems like I can't stop you from climbing Mount Puhon. I will be a lonely girl again for two days.” I stood up to put the bag with my things in the cabinet. "Keith is over there, he's the one to go out with you while I’m not around," I suggested. Every weekend Chandria invites me to go out and take a walk. Sometimes she even frees me whenever she goes shopping. Even though it's embarrassing, I still can't say no, because Chandria is insistent and won't allow me to reject her. "I don't want to! That's just a constant party. Maybe later, she will sell me to her men. No way!” "Duh, they don't bet on you, girl! Don't assume immediately." For the second time, Chandria threw a pillow at Keith again. "You’re being rude to me again. I don’t deserve this!" I don't know how our friendship has lasted three years. They were always teasing and mocking each other. Fortunately, I was always between the two of them. "Amara is the one I want to introduce to my handsome friends. For her to forget her jerk ex-boyfriend, Eryx and that witch Sharmaine to stop him!” Keith paused for a moment before speaking again. "What do you think, Amara? Just tell me so, I can arrange the meet up." "I have no time for that, Keith. Also, the one about Sharmaine, I can still handle that. I have nothing to fear because I am not doing anything wrong. She is just wasting her time on me.” I just had to wait for Sharmaine to get tired of being mean to me. No matter how hard she tries to get me to confess about Eryx and me, she won't get anything because her boyfriend and I don't have a relationship. She's just overthinking too much and her suspicions are just what they are. I don’t care about them. I'm not that cheap to steal someone who is already committed to someone else. I'm not that stupid to go after the man who hurt me. I left Eryx to her a long time ago. What else does she want? "If you ever change your mind, just tell me, okay? I got you!” Keith and Chandria just waited for Grandma to finish cooking so they could have dinner there before going home. Every Friday, my two friends actually go to our house to visit my grandma, who they also consider a real grandmother. In fact, they seem to be grandma’s favorite grandchildren more than me. But that's okay, I'm happy that the three of us are almost like real siblings. After eating dinner, I returned to the kitchen after taking Chandria and Keith to the gate. I found Grandma busy putting away the dishes. "Grandma, let me do that. Go, rest now." I volunteered. Grandma got stuck putting the plates in the sink. She looked at me seriously. "Are you sure you're coming to Mount Puhon tomorrow?" Just like Chandria, my grandma has been trying to stop me from going to Mount Puhon for a while now, but she still can't convince me. "Grandma, I was only there for two days. I'm also going home on Monday, so you'll only miss me for two days," I joked. "Okay, I allow you. I know I can never stop you from such things. Just promise me that you will never wander the woods alone. Do not try to hold on to any tree that is there. Don't talk to people you don't know and especially don't go with them. Don't go far from Uncle Joseph's side. If you feel something strange in that area, call me, and I'll come pick you up right away. Do we understand each other, Amara?” grandma's tone showed concern. I nodded and said I would follow what they bought me. I couldn't figure out why Grandma seemed nervous. She wasn't like this before whenever I said goodbye to go hiking in different mountains, only here at Mount Puhon, she was too much to worry about. What is there in Mount Puhon? I became more interested in what I could see on that mountain. I can't wait to get to Mount Puhon. I feel a strange emotion, as if I have a connection with that mountain.