Curse of the Hidden Place

Episode 8

Collin

"Lil, sis!" I heard my brother is calling me while knocking on my door.

I stretch my body before I go up and open that door.

"What do you need?" I asked while rubbing my eyes.

"Did Samuel, tell you something about him? Or is he open up his problem to you?" My brother asked while he's standing in front of my door.

I shake my head to tell him that I don't know.

"Why? What's wrong with him?" I asked.

"Aunt Eva told me that there's something, happened to Samuel. She said that, after he got home yesterday, he acted weird. Then she added that maybe Samuel, got it from the place that you came from." He said in a serious voice.

"Wait! Let me fix myself then let's talk about it once I'm done." I said while looking at my brother.

"I'll wait you downstairs." He said.

I nod at him then close my door and prepare myself.

I have my own comfort room in my room so I don't need to go downstairs just to fix myself.

I am looking at the mirror while brushing my teeth, I can't help but tell myself that, you're so beautiful, Collin!

Then I found myself laughing.

Well! I know to myself that, it is true. I know I'm beautiful. And take note, not just beautiful! I'm confidently beautiful with a heart.

After I fix myself, I go downstairs to see my brother.

"Aunt Eva! Good morning!" I said after I saw my Auntie, sitting beside my brother.

"What happened to my son, Collin? He looks like frustrated! What happened to him? He's different from my son. Looks like, he's not Samuel." She said while looking at me straight in the eye.

"But, I don't understand what you're talking about Auntie! Samuel is okay when we're with him yesterday." I leave a deep sigh.

"Come with me! For you to know the problem." She said then hold my hand and pull me with her.

Before we reach Samuel's home, I receive a phone call and it's Gabbielle's father.

Asking what happen to her daughter. He said that Gabbi is acting different too. He also said that she is showing the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Wait, what! Just yesterday, Gabbielle is so happy with us. But what happen to her?

"I've been trying to call out Samuel but he's not answering my calls. Is Samuel and my daughter had an misunderstanding? Are they okay?" He asked.

"Yes, Sir! In fact, they are so sweet yesterday so I don't understand what is happening to Gabbi!"I answered.

"I am worried about her. If sooner or later, he become worst. I don't want to lose her." He said.

His voice. I feel his pain and worry for her daughter.

But what can I do?

"Please reach out Samuel and tell him that I want to talk to him about my daughter. Please, Collin!" He said.

"I understand uncle. I will tell all of that to Samuel." I answered.

"Thankyou!" Then he hung up the phone.

After I saw Samuel, I feel so sad for him. He looks so down and depress too. His eyes that is so dark. His aura that you will feel. You can see him as if he's suffering from mind problems.

"Why is he, become like that?" My brother asked while holding my shoulders.

"His girlfriend is also acting like that." I said.

He wondered.

"Huh? How did you know?" He asked while looking at me.

"Her father called me, and told me what is happening to her daughter. They are both experiencing the same situation." I answered.

"Is that true, Collin? Did I heard it right? That Gabbielle also acted like Samuel?" asked Aunt Eva while staring at me.

"Yes! Her father called me." I said.

"It's your fault, Collin!" She said while pointing her finger to me.

"If you hadn't include him in that f*cking trip, he will not became like that. He will not be like that." She added.

"Get out of my house! Both of you. I don't need you here. And here's what you need to remember, Collin. I will never forgive you until he does not return to who he really is. You will pay for what you've done." She said.

"Stop it, Auntie. It's not her fault. You're son wants to join them and I didn't see any promblem with that." My brother explained.

I see how anger my Aunt is. The way she looks at me and my brother. It's different.

"Stop defending her, Josh. Or else . . ." said aunt while looking badly.

"I will call your uncle. I will do everything just to lose your mom's job, so you will no longer be with your mom." she added.

"Let's go, Collin. We are just wasting our time here." My brother said while holding my hands.

My older brother and I hurried to leave.

My tears started to fall.

"Do you think crying would help? If you cry, do you think Sam will get better, huh?" My brother asked.

I just look at him.

*Phone rings*

"Hello, Mattheo!"

"Guardians of the twins called me earlier. And it's a bad news."

"Huh? Twins? You mean, Christoff and Samantha? What happened to them? I asked while there is something bothering me.

"They said that the twins are acting crazy and they don't know what to do. It looks like they are suffering from deep sadness and depression." he answered.

"Another friends that are suffering from depression and sadness?"

I turned my head to my brother when he suddenly spoke.

I became silent for a way but then I realize that Mattheo is still on the phone.

"Open that f*cking loudspeaker, Collin. I want to heard what he's saying." My brother said while looking at me.

"What if, it's because of the place that you discovered?"

I heard the static of the phone call and Mattheo's sigh.

"But it's just an ordinary place, Josh." said Mattheo.

"Exactly. You all think that it's just an ordinary place but you really don't know what is in there." my brother said.

"What if that place had a hidden curse and when you accidentally discovered it, it's too late because all of you is already infected of it." He added.

"But it's impossible nowadays. Isn't it?" said Mattheo.

"How can you explain everything that is happening now?" My brother asked.

I'm speechless. Everything that is happening now still doesn't sink into my mind. I don't understand.

I heard my brother's deep sigh before he speaks.

"What if you're next, Collin!" He said while looking at me.

"Huh! If that happen's Mattheo will be like me! Coz, we're together all day yesterday." I said confidently.

"I have an idea. Call everyone that joined our trip and asked them, if they experienced the same symptoms, then we need to go back to find the cure for them."

He just agreed before he hung up the phone.

I can't stop myself thinking that, what if my brother is right.

While I'm laying on my bed, looking at the ceiling, I'm still thinking about what is happening to all of my friends.

I'm still wishing that once I open my eyes, everything is fine.