The man wearing the black hat was fully covered up in black clothing. Even if I call the police for them to check on the surveillance cameras, they might not be able to find anything.
I sifted through all the people I might have offended and couldn't figure out who could be the culprit.
I was an easygoing person. Even if I did offend someone, it wouldn't be to the point of that person wanting to kill me.
When I got home, my mother, Selina, opened the door and immediately noticed that something was wrong with me. She quickly asked me what had happened.
I knew that Selina had always been overly concerned about me. I didn't want her to worry, so I just said that I was too tired.
Selina closed the door and pushed me into the bedroom. "Get some rest. I'll wake you up tomorrow."
"Okay." I changed into my pajamas, removed my makeup, and walked towards my bed. Selina was holding a photo album and staring at it dazedly.
It was a photo album that she had flipped through countless times. It recorded almost everything that had happened throughout my growing up years.
Something was different about Selina as she looked through the photo album tonight. She seemed to be filled with reluctance and nostalgia. Once she saw me coming out of the bathroom, she smiled and waved for me to sit beside her.
After I sat down, she pointed at a photo. "Look, you were carrying a shotgun. The shotgun was much taller than you."
"It's pretty heavy, I remember." Back then, my grandparents and I lived in the countryside and my parents were often out.
Grandpa loved to hunt and always took me into the mountains. Every time, he would bring home some good hunts and cook them for us.
Selina flipped to the next page. When she saw the picture, she couldn't help but sigh. It was a picture of me lying in a hospital bed. She said with lingering fear, "That was your ninth birthday."
"It's already in the past." On my ninth birthday, I followed my grandfather into the mountains early in the morning and came back with serious injuries. I was stuck in a coma for a few days before I finally woke up. "No one expected to encounter a large group of wolves fighting."
That was probably my closest brush with death.
"But I bumped into Abraham that time." The corners of my lips unconsciously curl into a smile as I recall Abraham from back then.
I'd forgotten most of what had happened in the forest at that time, but I could still clearly remember the boy staring at me.
He wore a long white robe that was white as snow and was running around the wolf pack. He must have been scared. When he saw me from the corner of his eye, he stared at me in shock for a good ten seconds.
Then he charged towards me.
My grandfather was running with me and I immediately said, "Let's wait for him. I think he's alone. No one's taking him along."
Grandpa was probably only thinking about running away at the time and didn't hear a word I said.
Seeing that my grandfather wouldn't stop, I threw his hand away, hoping to get his attention, but at that moment, a huge wolf lunged at me.
I have no idea what happened after that. All I know is that Grandpa and I survived.
Grandpa was seriously injured, and so was I. But fortunately, we both recovered after treatment. During the treatment, I kept thinking about the little boy. He would appear even in my dreams.
I kept asking Grandpa if the little boy was still alive, but Grandpa didn't know either.
In the midst of my physical pain and my psychological worries, I watched my parents argue and go through divorce. It was a difficult time.
Whenever there were any conflicts at home, I would want to take a walk alone in the forest. However, I was very afraid. After all, there were many wild beasts in the mountain that I couldn't deal with myself.
So I chose to walk to the foot of the mountain and find a tree to sit on all by myself. I would look at the road that led up the mountain.
I don't know why, but at that time, I felt as if something in the mountain was attracting me. Countless times, I had unconsciously taken a step into the mountain, only to step back because of the fear.
It wasn't until the day my parents announced their divorce that I went to the bottom of the hill, seating on a tree while in a daze. Abraham finally appeared in front of me.
I was ecstatic. I jumped down from the tree and ran towards him. "You're still alive!"
Abraham seemed like he was about my age, but his face was very calm. Yes, he had always been like this since he was young. He gave off a very calm and composed vibe.
I was very curious about him and wanted to ask him many questions. He seemed to also feel the same way. "My name is Abraham. What about you?"
"Emma."
"Do you still remember the spell that you were chanting that day?"
"Spell? What spell?"
"It's the one you were muttering after you were attacked by the wolf."
"I don't think I did." I scratched my head, wondering if I'd been influenced by Selina.
Selina would occasionally study witchcraft and teach me some spells. I wasn't interested in those spells, but sometimes, I would think that they were beautiful and would play along.
Abraham's eyes flashed with disbelief at my words. "How about this? As long as you tell me that spell, I can grant you a wish."
"Really?" I couldn't help but find it funny that he decided to hit on a girl in such a clumsy way, but I decided to just play along. I chanted a bunch of spells.
Somehow, the more I chanted, the more anxious he became. By the time I finished all the spells and told him that I had none left, his face was gloomy.
It was obvious he wasn't in a good mood. "Why don't we hang out some other time?" I was worried he might be facing the same situation as me. He might have some problems at home.
He didn't say a word. He just nodded and walked away.
I didn't sleep that night. The next day, I went to wait for him early in the morning. However, I still didn't see him even after waiting for three consecutive days.
Three days later, Selina packed everything and took me away.
I leaned against the car window and stared at the scenery outside. I was looking forward to meeting Abraham again, but I didn't.