Three hours had passed since the journey began; they were now crossing a vast highway, one of those with multiple lanes and bridges that surpassed them with their magnificent and exaggerated physical and architectural forms.
Each member of their family was engrossed in their own world. Younger brother Park Jin was deeply focused on an online game, emotionally affected and displaying a serious and desperate attitude as he murmured about his frustration. Older sister Park Lee was immersed in her university studies, diligently reading a professional medicine theory textbook. She approached it as a goal to achieve, displaying a calm and determined concentration. Lastly, their parents engaged in a conversation, deliberating on how to handle the situation and discussing the rotation of responsibilities for caring for the family.
Ally was bothered by having to listen to that topic, so she began to ignore them by putting on her headphones to drown out the discussion her parents were having. She started to feel humiliated, incompetent, and ashamed, sensing herself as a burden to her parents who were doing their best for her well-being. However, there was something to clarify – she never asked for her family's help. The music she used to enjoy no longer created a positive atmosphere but brought a bitterness, even though it was upbeat with a good choreographic rhythm. She paused it and turned to online videos, searching for something that would capture her attention.
In that moment, she began to investigate what her friend had told her about the incident near Woodland. She watched a video featuring the news report on the fire near Woodland. It seemed her friend hadn't fabricated the story just to grab her attention. To confirm its truth, she only needed to mention the town's blackout and lack of signal, but the two last causes weren't reported.
They were now on an isolated road leading to a wooded area, which, at first glance, gave off an eerie vibe. The atmosphere worsened with the overcast weather, adding discomfort to their journey. Besides admiring the landscape, the surroundings became uncomfortably silent, making the otherwise mundane trip even more tedious.
Lee broke the silence to inject some vitality into the lifeless atmosphere, starting to speak directly to Ally.
"Say it already. I don't believe he gave you something and is harboring resentment towards you. Perhaps what he gave you is an ill omen."
There was nothing left to say; Ally didn't want her sister meddling in her conflicts, but the persistent insistence pushed her to reveal it. She took the amulet from her pocket and handed it over, letting her sister examine and analyze it. Her older sister was skilled at assessing the value and symbolism of objects.
The amulet was a necklace with a figurine forming a symbol. It seemed to depict two scythes facing opposite directions, one with the blade up and the other down. It was unclear if they were crossed weapons or a symbol resembling an "S." Without the experience to decipher the meaning of runes or extravagant symbols, Ally remained uncertain about its significance.
-"Wow, I never thought that Hyeon, the scoundrel, would gift you a relic with a minimum value of $15 and made of perishable material; that's..."
-"Just so you know, I have no interest in discussing it. Keep it; I don't need it anyway.
-(Why did he want her to have it? Since when did he abandon his last will and testament regarding me, while you judged me as the culprit in all of that? You are...)."
She didn't know how to conclude the last word that lingered in her thoughts, so she left the sentence unfinished, seeming to realize she didn't have enough courage to confront someone in an argument. It was clear that she would lose in a similar dispute. However, her father took the initiative to address her, adopting a serious tone.
-"Park Adeline, your mother and I have discussed it, and I want you to know that the place we've chosen for you is intended to improve your personal well-being. Also, you won't be alone; your mother and I will share responsibilities to take care of you. Therefore, the arrangement is that one of us will look after you for a month. For this month, your mother will take the responsibility, and for the following month, it will be me."
As the father-daughter conversation continued, it became evident that her parents would take turns caring for her, while the other handled the family tailoring business in the city, supervised the apartment, and took responsibility for her brother. Her father, an office worker at a company, had to figure out how he would manage.
The situation resembled that of divorced parents separating their children, but the difference lay in the fact that she was the cause; she wanted to take on her own responsibility. It wasn't her fault; she desired to face life alone, work part-time, and commit to her studies. Yet, there had to be someone overseeing her just to ensure she didn't get into trouble.
The landscape changed dramatically to a completely different forest, shrouded in a thin mist that enveloped towering pines, vast and solid ground, presenting itself as it was before human presence. Though the girl hailed from modern streets with majestic and contemporary architecture, illuminated by dazzling artificial lights at night, this wooded environment evoked a deep-seated sensation in her. Unlike urban streets, the forest had its own natural order, with other forms of life inhabiting it. However, it also exuded both serenity and danger simultaneously. There was an unsettling intuition that at some point, nature would reclaim everything within its reach, restoring what once was and showcasing its unique system of survival – this forest represented that.
They arrived at the bustling town of Woodlan Haven, nestled in the midst of a charming yet perilous forest. The place had it all: shops, restaurants, paved roads, and various institutes reflecting the community's diversity. The houses, mostly cottages with lawn yards, created a picturesque community. Everything in this town seemed complete and diverse. They headed towards the house with the "sold" sign.
It was a somewhat isolated dwelling, medium-sized and two stories tall at first glance, displaying a certain antiquity. While the movers unpacked the furniture, everyone descended to inspect it. Ally decided to explore the interior, where the wooden and ceramic floor gave a rustic and welcoming feel to the kitchen and living room on the ground floor. Going up to the second floor, she noticed there were only three rooms and a separate bathroom. She began selecting the room with the most windows, unlike the others that only had skylights.
Descending the stairs, Ally started to send a message to Zach, informing him of her arrival. However, she didn't reveal her exact location. Downstairs, she noticed the hallway was already crowded with some furniture that didn't have much in common. They had brought only what they had stored as extras in their apartment: a two-meter table, a sofa, a small desk, two wardrobes, a pair of beds, and various boxes and suitcases. Everything needed to be arranged in its place. Her mother approached to ask her about the location of her bedroom.
-"Second floor, door on the left, room with lots of windows."
-"I can't believe they gave you an advance, for you to have your own place to live, and you being the second in the family and already having company."
Lee began to playfully complain in a whimsical tone about what she thought should be hers as the eldest.
-"Jealousy? I'll remind you that I'm 19, meaning I'm old enough to be in a nightclub partying and can even drink whenever I want, doing whatever I please. And just to remind you, you live in a cost-effective university residence. Lastly, I'll only be with either Dad or Mom for a few months."
-"True, but what about this Isaac guy? You've been in connection for years, and I just found out he lives in this place. What could happen with both of you being in the same location, even if you see him as just a roommate? There might be something between you two soon."
-"His name is Zach. Say what you want, but that doesn't change the fact that we're just friends. Besides, he has a particular girl he's interested in, showed me a photo and everything. He's just too much of a coward to tell her what I told him to say at the right moment."
The conversation between the two was interrupted by insistent knocking on the door. Ally, curious, approached to open it and found a young couple holding a basket. They were neighbors wanting to welcome the newcomers and offer a gesture of hospitality. Ally's mother joined to greet the couple, accepting the basket as a welcome gift. Though polite, Ally felt a certain discomfort, preferring to avoid conversation just to avoid her mother painting a false picture of her, something she had no interest in at all. Despite her reluctance towards social interactions, her mother called her to introduce her to the new neighbors. With reservations, Ally was forced to face the situation and represent the family in this unexpected encounter.
In the midst of the new neighbors, Ally was portrayed by her mother as the exemplary girl, exaggerating some qualities to maintain a positive image. However, discomfort overwhelmed Ally as she felt embarrassed by descriptions that didn't accurately reflect her preferences and personality. Even though her mother consciously omitted certain details to avoid making Ally uncomfortable, she was already more uneasy than before. Anticipating future encounters with upcoming visitors, her main concern focused on how to break free from this awkward routine of representation, and that's exactly what she intended to do.
-"Mom, I'm going for a walk around the street to get to know the area."
-"Alright, but be careful not to wander too far or enter places you shouldn't."
Ally bids farewell to her mother, temporarily leaving the house with the firm decision not to return until the visits and the move are over. Now, her only goal is to wander aimlessly, avoiding any contact. Spotting the first store, she decides to buy some snacks to distract her mind. However, in the precise moment of her culinary surprise, someone greets her with her full name, putting her on high alert. Turning around, Ally comes face to face with someone she didn't expect to see in person.
-"Hello, Park Adeline Hye, do you remember who I am?"
-"Zach? Is it really you?" She couldn't believe it; it was indeed him in person. She couldn't fathom that they would meet in the same place.
-"Surprised? Didn't think we wouldn't cross paths, but here we are, in person."
She couldn't believe it – the friend from social media of several years was standing before her. However, a question lingered: how did he find her? Doubts were starting to creep in.
-"Zach, how did you find me? I didn't even send you the location of the house."
With a playful tone and a mischievous expression, Zach extended his hand in an inviting gesture, indicating that Ally should join him.
-"Wasn't it obvious? I was wandering around this area and noticed there was only one house with a 'sold' sign. I figured it had to be you, especially after you mentioned moving here. What did you think, I'd be in another town? Like I told you, there's only one Woodland Haven. Plus, I'm here to fulfill your request to be your guide, and that's exactly what I'll do. So, what were you doing outside?"
-"Well, I was avoiding some household responsibilities and dodging visits from strangers. But now that you're here, I want you to be the one to welcome me, along with the friend I doubted before."
Ally had doubted the truth of everything her friend had said, and she was surprised to see that some of her dubious intuitions were coming true.
-"Alright. I welcome you, Adeline, to Woodland Haven. Now, tell me, where do you want to go?"
That was a sudden question, and she didn't have many ideas about where to go first. She started to mention what came to her mind.
-"Is there a place that might be hiring? And tell me where I can find a nightclub."
They spent an hour strolling through the streets as Zach pointed out the common places in his town and described the community's customs. In one of those conversations about the town's peculiarities, he mentioned a special tradition related to an event called the "awakening." This caught Ally's attention as it was the first time she had heard about such an intriguing and seemingly secretive cultural tradition in the community. Everything went smoothly until they had to conclude the walk by venturing into the forest for a glimpse. The mysterious tradition of the "awakening" lingered in Ally's mind, leaving her intrigued and with the sense that there was still much to discover in that town.
They were now in front of the forest bermuda, in a secluded and isolated area where there were no signs of park rangers. Due to the recent forest fire, the rangers had increased surveillance in the green area, meaning they had to avoid being seen and keep a distance from them. For this reason, they chose a secluded spot that wasn't the main entrance for tourists but a more discreet access reserved for adventurous souls daring to delve into the woods. This location was connected to a youthful challenge, adding an air of mystery and excitement to their exploration.
-"Zach, everything you've told me is fascinating. I didn't realize this town had such peculiar customs that are common here."
-"And that's not all. It turns out, in about three weeks, there will be a town festival called the 'Mōtung þæs inran beornes.' You'll be surprised, and there will be performances in the main square."
-"And besides that, you mentioned the Bermuda Forest is famous for some rumors. Are they just legends?"
-"Yes," he confirmed confidently, walking along the roadside while observing the forest.
-"Well, tell me some."
-"Alright, I'll tell you that there are theories about the possibility of other anonymous life forms deep in the forest or that it hides something mysterious. There are also stories about those who attend meetings rumored to be part of a cult that performs sacrifices to an unknown entity. But the most common one is the case that, for a long time, there have been instances of people entering the forest for no apparent reason and simply not returning, confirming they've responded to a call. The curious part is that some of these people are entirely unknown, possibly undocumented, while others are ordinary individuals. I guess you can see where all this is heading, right? It's something eerie."
As they continued walking, Ally noticed a silhouette in the distance that seemed familiar. Cautiously, she approached a bit closer and could clearly distinguish that it was her younger brother, Jin, walking decisively into the forest. Surprise engulfed her as she saw Jin alone with no apparent reason. It didn't make sense. In that moment, Ally felt the urgency to follow him to confirm if what she was seeing was real.
Zach tried to stop her from entering, but it was futile; she had no choice but to follow. He hurriedly reminded her they shouldn't venture into the forest and pointed out the possibility that what she saw might be a trap. Something strange about his last words – was he playing a tasteless joke on her? She was sure it was crucial to warn her about potential dangers, but that seemed extravagant. Nevertheless, she was convinced the figure in the distance was her brother, even though Zach's words made her doubt. Tension hung in the air as she entered the forest, facing uncertainty and the risks that might lurk in the shadows of the dense woods.
Within the forest, Ally lost sight of her brother in the blink of an eye, unable to believe he had disappeared so quickly. Now, she and Zach were alone, lost in the vastness of the woods, a situation they hadn't anticipated. Forced to move forward, they shouted Jim's name, hoping he would hear or at least alert a ranger. Amid this distressing search, Zach began to feel the unsettling sensation of being watched. Stress overcame him, deeply unsettling him, fearing that their unusual foray into the forest might lead to peril. Lost in a place not their own, Zach, who preferred to stay sheltered, confronted the bewildering reality of being lost in the woods.
As they continued their search, Zach and Ally heard a noise that seemed to be someone's voice. Driven by hope, Ally started running with the intention of finding the source of that sound. Eventually, they came across a figure standing atop a large rocky peak. They asked some questions, but as they got closer, they noticed there was something unusual about that person, or rather, that thing. Ally felt a chill recognizing what the thing was, holding a young woman with its dark, twisted hands. The young woman was trying to free herself, but upon seeing them, she didn't ask for help, just a look of more concern.
Surprise and fear intertwined in their minds as they faced the reality of what was before them – the creature that was present in the catastrophe eight months ago.