By borrowing back my father's old Jeep. Early in the morning, I drove straight to Dave's mansion, after getting his personal information. It was easy for me to track him with GPS.
Accompanied by Bong, we were directed to return to the green mountain range. Just in case, I also brought a manual map and some tools for exploring. On the way back yesterday, I found a quick route that leads there. This could cut 30% of our traveling time there.
It was almost noon by the time we got to the front of the forest border, and I noticed that the network signal was starting to weaken on my GPS. Fortunately, I had taken precautions about this. I had installed an additional device as well as network stabilising software so that we could still use the GPS smoothly even in an area with poor signal. After activating the device, I started driving again.
I seriously tried to pay attention to the road, occasionally stopping to give Bong snacks or let him relieve himself. As a former Boy Scout, it's not hard for me to recognise the trees you pass.
"This is weird, I think we passed these trees earlier. Isn't that right Bong?"
Bong responded with his bark. It seemed like the GPS was just making us go round and round in the forest. Judging by the markings on the GPS, it shouldn't be far from where we were.
"Argh! Shit! If only I hadn't fallen asleep that time. It might have been easy for me to find the way!"
Feeling regretful, I accidentally hit the horn of the old car and made the small inhabitants of the green range forest scatter away from where we were. I suddenly remembered the annoyance I felt at Darius' mansion. The night I wanted to go home from there.
"Redwood silhouette!"
I started to switch off the GPS navigation, as I felt it was pointless. Looking back at the manual map I had brought, I tried to find where the group of redwood trees grew.
"It's to the southwest, about a few kilometers from here" I muttered as I pointed to the well-worn manual map.
I hit the gas, following the flow of the manual map as well as my skills. I drove along each path, accompanied by lush trees. A pair of blue butterflies followed us as if guiding the way to where the redwood trees grew.
As we drove to the edge of the forest, we didn't see any houses in front of us. I got out of the car, and followed the river, hoping an old mansion would appear in my sight. I turned back to look at the silhouettes of the giant sequoia trees. It seemed to be getting late. and I couldn't find Darius's mansion.
I got back into the car and started to switch on the GPS. Tracking whether it was true that the location was around here. Sure enough, the GPS was pointing to the perfect intersection! But this was strange, I couldn't find him here!
I originally wanted to go to her mansion in secret. I was trying to surprise him. But I had no other way, I was going to call that man directly.
"Hello?" The man's husky, wet voice rang out as he picked up the phone.
"Hi Darius, it's Clara. I'm at the edge of the forest near the redwood trees, can you tell me where your mansion is?"
"...."
"Stay there, I'll send someone to pick you up" Darius hung up.