Circumnavigating Yggdrasil

The forest of the damned

Clara waited until her grandma slipped into a deep sleep and made her way into her room. She packed a duffle full of her clothes, and some essential items like rope, a hunting dagger which belonged to her father, Harry's lighter, and some money. She slipped the locket onto her neck and made her way to Vandal.

She knew the woods as well as her house, and she knew a shortcut that led directly to the bus stop at Vandal.

She walked all night and managed to reach the stop by the first light of the morning. Fortunately, there was a bus right there which had stopped for a refuel. Hurrying up, she went and boarded the bus, which started towards her unknown destination.

She fell into a deep sleep, feeling a sense of adventure.

Erik Cyan woke up to the chirping of the birds. He thought that their town might be the only one left where birds chirped. He had arranged a meeting with David for school benches, so he went to get ready.

As he passed Clara's room, he saw that there was a note taped to her bed, which was undisturbed.

He picked up the note. He could recognize Clara's handwriting. It said, "I'm going away for a while. I'll be back soon. Love, Tora."

For the first time in a long while, Erik Cyan began to worry about his daughter.

Clara was awakened by the shrill screech of the brakes. The bus came to a halt and all the passengers piled up to get down. On asking the conductor, she came to know that it was the only rest stop left, and there would be none until they reach the destination, which was seven to eight hours away. Listening to this, she too got down to utilize it as well as she could. Her stomach growled for some food. She spied a small food stall that sold falafels and made her way towards it. 

She approached the cook. He was a round man with almost no neck, and friendly eyes and voice. A nametag on his apron said his name was Joe. She asked him to give her the biggest falafel wrap he served. "Very hungry, aren't you, young lady. It'll take some time. You see those chairs there, just wait there. I shall bring your wrap there, and you can pay me after having it." 

She occupied the last table, near to a group of guys hanging out talking amongst themselves in hushed tones like they were up to something. She always wondered how idiotic and dumb some boys were back at their village. Some thought there was nothing to forests other than wood and animals which bite, and some thought that girls who talked to them loved them. But she never saw a group sitting as silently as they were. She started fiddling with her locket, thinking about the material, which glowed like a thousand diamonds. "Maybe it is a Diamond," she thought. 

Joe arrived with orders. He gave her a giant wrap which barely fit in her mouth and had to cut it into two pieces with her dagger, and went towards the group of the weirdos who were still whispering amongst themselves. 

"Now boys! I said no more talk of going into the forest tonight. That is no joke. You don't wanna wind up dead in your mothers' arms, do y'all?" "Oh calm down, Joe! The forest isn't that scary. It's just a fool's tale to keep everyone from going after the treasure."

This caught Clara's ear. "Treasure, huh?" She whispered to herself. Her mind was thrumming with the excitement of an adventure. She leaned toward them to listen closely and started listening with rapt attention.

"There is no treasure, Billy boy!" Joe exclaimed. "That part of the woods has seen more blood in the wars than any man alive. It's called the Doomed Woods for a reason. don't be a brute. Eat, play, get a girl, and live your life. It's too early for you to think about death." 

Joe went away, leaving a group of boys snickering at the one named Billy, who was scowling.

After having the food, the boys' herd started to thin. At last, there was a boy left. His bowl was untouched, and he just sat there, staring at it. Clara figured she'd ask him about the treasure. She approached him and was thinking about how to draw attention to herself when he noticed her.

"Hey. I'm Ben. New to town?"

"Oh yes. I'm Clara." "What brings you here, Clara?" 

"Umm, may I sit?" "Oh yes. Sorry."

Ben got up and dragged a chair for her. She sat, feeling a little awkward and shy. Ben had copper brown hair, raven-black eyes, and a rare, genuine smile. He was a sight better than the boys in her town. She realized she was staring and turned away her gaze.

"So what brought you here, Clara?" "It's uh, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Oh no. Scottside is full of crazy stories so my belief tolerance is very high." "Uh, I was bored and wanted to explore, so I caught the first bus."

"Oh. Even you are an adventure lover like Billy eh?"

"I couldn't help but overhear Joe." "Well, Joe must have swallowed an amplifier in his childhood." "What forest was he talking about, Ben?"

" Bosque del diablo."

"What?!" "The forest of the devil, or as Joe likes to call it, the forest of the damned."

"Why is it called that?"

Ben laughed as if she was joking. On seeing the puzzled look on her face, he said, " In World War 2, Scottside was a very safe town. The only way in or out was through the forest, and over the course, many armies tried to come our way but were felled by our bands of guerilla fighters. It has seen more death than anyone alive. Hence the name.

Everyone who ever went in was found dead, hanging from trees or by hitting their heads on the rocks. Nowadays even the search parties are afraid to do so."

" What about the treasure?"

" Oh, no-no. It's just another story, and I would take the deaths more seriously than the treasure."

" If it's not real, then there is no harm in telling the tale, right?"

" Ugh. You're so persistent. Well, there was a Mayor who was a drunk who abused his sons every day. After they grew old, they started paying back in kind. The old man was very wealthy, and to teach his sons a lesson, he took 3 sacks full of valuables and went into the woods. Needless to say, he never returned."

" Where is this forest, exactly?"

" Oh, it's just a couple of blocks from here. Today is the nordic new year festival. There will be a big feast. You should stay. You can catch a bus tomorrow if you wanna leave. "

Clara thought about it. Seemed like a good opportunity, and a feast didn't sound bad at all. "Umm, I don't know anyone around here. Won't it be, I dunno, wrong for me to take part in your town's festival?"

" Clara, many people come from far away to celebrate tonight. Don't worry, nobody will bat an eye."

" Alright then."

They sat like that for a minute, staring at each other. Ben was the first to avert his eyes this time. "Umm, come on, Clara. I'll show you in the forest."

" Okay."

They paid Joe for his service, and Clara followed Ben's lead. They walked a few yards, talking about their schools, friends, and the woods near Verdale.

" So that's why you have such an interest in the forest of the damned."

" Well yes and no. I love adventures and exploring different spots. There is a clearing in Verdale's woods which only I know of. A small stream, surrounded by blossoms. I often used to spend my time there reading or thinking."

" Why didn't you have any friends?"

"Friends are complicated. First, they are good, then they grow distant, then they fade. I don't have time for that."

" Well, it's not like that, Clara. Some people are like that, but when you meet a true friend, you'll realize how wrong you are right now."

"What about you? Were all those guys at your table your friends?"

" Everyone except Billy."

" Why not Billy?"

" Let's just say he's the popular kid and I'm not, and he likes to pick on everyone, so I hate his guts."

Clara chuckled. " Ever tried telling him that?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He gave me a black eye and I broke his arm."

"What!!" Clara laughed. " Alright stop. We have reached your destination."

Clara was dumbstruck. She thought how distracted she was that she couldn't see the forests, looming in front of her.

"It's beautiful."

"Well, as they say, there is a devil in everyone. In these trees, a little more than normal." "Shut up." Ben chuckled.

" Come on. I'll show you around. My mom makes the best pie in town if you wanna have something for lunch."

" My stomach will be full for two more days due to Joe."

" Yeah, Joe likes to fatten people up."

The town was very decent, and there was a church in the middle.

"If there is a church, why do you people celebrate the Nordic new year?"

" Well, many of us are descendants of Vikings, but there is a lot of the townsfolk who are Christians. They need a place of worship, no?" " Where do you people pray, then?"

"Eh, we don't pray. It's just a tradition. Most of our tribes also converted. The feast is a way of gathering everyone once a year and forgetting all the troubles. We celebrate it to remind ourselves of our ancestors and their sacrifice for our town."

" Oh no, what did Vikings sacrifice for Scottside?" "You'll know at the fest. They recollect the old stories around the bonfire."

"What shall we do till then?" " Would you like to have lunch at my house?"

" Um, well that be okay?"

" Oh, it'll be fine. Come on, my mom loves pretty girls."

Clara blushed. It was the first time anyone outside her family praised her.

Ben's house was adjacent to a bakery, which he told was their family business.

" That the reason you told your mom makes the best pie in the town?"

"Yeah. Everybody loved my mom's pie, so my dad asked her to open up a bakery. It's very taxing work, so my dad cooks us dinner and lunch."

" What does your dad do, then?"

" He is the treasurer of the village. Apart from that, he likes ferrying people in the lake."

A woman, who shared eyes with Ben, was waving at them from the bakery.

"Race you to the bakery," Ben said and took off.

Clara took a second to process it and ran wildly after him.

They reached the bakery, taking in deep breaths. Ben's mother served them with water and some cookies.

"Mom, this is Clara. She's here for the feast."

Hello, dear. I'm Ben's mother. You can call me Mrs Ash.

"Hello, Mrs Ash. You look beautiful."

She didn't lie. Mrs Ash was an ethereal woman who seemed to radiate love. She was healthy, with kind eyes and a deep red blush. Looking at her made Clara feel peaceful.

"Thank you, darling. But not better than you. That's a lovely necklace."

Her pendant fell out while she was running, and it still was glowing faintly.

" Thank you, Mrs Ash. It is my grandmother's. She gave it to me."

"Well, it suits you. How did you meet Ben?"

"She was asking about the Bosque Diablo."

Ben answered for her. She scowled at him.

"Now what does a darling like you want with that ugly place?"

" I just heard about it from Billy, ma'am."

" Its alright, child. Curiosity is a good sign."

"Ben says you're pie is the best, Mrs Ash."

" Oh did he, now. Yeah, I guess. Everyone seems to like it. I have some left. You wanna try it, Clara?"

" I would love to."

Ben was not kidding. Mrs Ash made the most delicious pie she ever had, even better than her mother.

Ben and Clara hung out in the backyard of Ben's house until it was dark, and everyone started going to the feast.

Clara was wonderstruck. The preparations for the feast were as if there was a big wedding. A huge table was arranged in the open courtyard of the church, on which delicious-looking dishes were fighting for space. Townsfolk wore masks and was clad in their best clothes. Everywhere there were songs sung by the local choir and couples dancing to the music. It was so gay that for a moment she forgot where she was. She just stood there, transfixed.

"Clara."

She turned around. Ben was wearing a suit, and he looked very good. It made her feel like being dressed in a gown too, but all she had was jeans and shirts, and her backpack, which didn't help her at all.

Looking extremely self-conscious and nervous, he asked, " Can I have a dance?"

" I don't know how to dance," Clara replied silently.

"Don't worry. It's easy. Allow me to teach you."

He reached for her hand, and Clara allowed him to lead her to the floor.

" If I step on you, it's not my fault."

" Heh. Just follow my lead, Clara."

They danced together.

Clara never felt so conscious of herself, or so nervous anytime in her life. She could feel Ben's heartbeat, and hers too. She had never danced before, but Ben was very polite and didn't say anything even when she was about to fall, or step on him.

It was a while until the town elders signalled for a gathering around the bonfire.

Clara was eager to listen to the stories.

" Help me."

A dull voice whispered to her.

She ignored it.

" I'm in the forest. Please." It started to nag her brain.

" Help, please!"

The voice was getting desperate and heavy.

"Please HELP ME!" It was squealing in her mind.

The voice was becoming unbearable.

" Clara, are you okay?" Ben asked her.

" Ben, I need to use the restroom. Excuse me."

She ran into the woods.

It was very damp and foggy inside the forest. The voice was getting insistent by the minute.

" You're just there. Keep going."

" Turn to the left," It told her.

To her horror, a girl was hanging from a tree branch, dripping blood.

She screamed.

No one could hear her.

"Yes, child. Scream. Life is a lie. We were all killed. You'll die one day too."

"No." she sobbed.

"Yes. Don't wait for death. Meet him now."

She heard the sound of a flowing stream.

"Yes," the voice whispered. " Drowning is painless. What will you do in life? It's not fair, child."

Other voices started zoning in when she approached the flowing water.

" Go on child." All of them insisted. " We shall claim your family too. Imagine seeing them all die. We all saw that. Do us justice. Become one of us. DIE!"

Clara couldn't stop crying. It was as if she wasn't in control of her body at all. She saw the images of her father lying dead on the ground, his head beheaded like a tree.

Her mother and siblings, crying at the sight of his body. Her grandmother telling them that they were the next in line, in her mind.

"CLARA!" Ben's voice resonated through her.

" He will die too. More painfully than we did."

" No please don't kill him."

"Then become one of us. Jump! Greet death.

Be free."

She turned around to see Ben, who was still running towards her.

" I'm sorry, Ben," she whispered to the night.

Then, she jumped into the current.