Chapter 13
1571 Words
Forests are never silent.
That's the first thing you learn whenever you go out camping, hiking, or anything else where you might have to pass through or live in a forest.
Forests aren't silent for a good reason. They teem with life, such as birds, insects, and small animals; that's just the life that makes noises. Trees, grass, and bacteria are also bountiful. This, of course, is no secret.
One forest, somewhere just northeast of Dingle, is totally silent. People drive past it millions of times per year, but from their car they can't notice the lack of sound.
Every now and then someone will look at the forest as they sit in traffic. They are convinced that they saw something, but nobody has ever actually seen it.
Rumors of the forest in Dingle were so rife that at one point, Rome sent priests and elite soldiers into the forest to exorcise it. Bloodstained armor, robes, and a single perfect human eye were found the next morning, somehow having been placed despite the sentries and the night-guard, and placed soundlessly at that.
Rumor also has it that it likes to move sometimes. The road nearby gives it ample options for doing so, which is probably why nobody has heard of it. It was probably considered a myth. A scout party sent in while it was away came out with nothing, and it was forgotten, but it always returns to its home sooner or later, in Dingle.
Ultimately, one thing you must always remember, intrepid traveler, strong-legged hiker, or capable camper, do not come or step into the Dingle forest that people called, the Silent Forest.
There only one family who known as the Demon itself who dare to build mansion inside the forest, they were known sell their soul to be able to step and living there. People fear them and no one seen alive after they step on the Demon mansion that knows as the Black family.
*****
Ring.. Ring.. Ring..
I jump a little on my seat when I hear my phone ringing.
Sighing, I grab it from my bag before see the caller ID.
'Unknown number'
Who?
"Hello?" I answer it slowly.
'Where are you, Lucia?' A familiar voice speak, whom I notice immediately as Malcolm, on the other line and I frown for a second studying my own phone before put it back to my ear.
"Malcolm?" I asked confusingly.
'Yes, correct' He sighed before added 'I asked again, Lucia. Where are you?' He repeats the question impatiently.
"How you know my number?" I asked again, still didn't answer his question before save every pages that I found about the Silent forest and Black's family.
'Tobius' Was his short answer before I realize that I never gave my number to the man too.
"But, I never gave my number to Tobius too?"
"I'm outside your grandma house when I find out you're not here' He interject impatiently and I can hear how worried his voice sound 'Where are you?' He said loudly before I can hear another voice come from his back sound, which I think is Tobius.
I sighed dejectedly know that he won't tell me his answer and said "In Dublin"
'Dublin?!' He shout shockingly and I nod dumbly before realize he can't see me.
"Yup"
'How?' He pauses 'With whom you go there? It's 5-6 hours driving by car'
I shrugged before shutting down the computer before picking up the books that I want to borrow.
"Just this?' The librarian asked and I nodded my head before start speaking to the phone.
"Phil take me" I said and hear nothing from the other line so I keep talking "Beside I need books for wasting my time if I'm going to stay longer in Dingle" I explain and then stopped on my track when I see the man himself standing outside the Library with his phone in his ear looking angry to me.
"Malcolm?' I gasped, thinking how come he can be here that fast?
It's impossible because he said that he's outside my grandma's house but then he already here.
There only one family who known as the Demon itself who dare to build mansion inside the forest, they were known sell their soul to be able to step and living there.
They were known sell their soul......
Could it be the rumor is true?
That they're all a human who sold their soul to the demon?
They're not human anymore, but a demon itself?!
*******
"It's okay, Phil. Malcolm can take me back" I said on the phone to Phil who called that he needs more time to finish his work and I explain that I have someone who can take me back home to Dingle.
As you know, Phil didn't like the idea of me and Malcolm going together so I need to convinced him that I'm okay.
I laugh when he say to call him if something happen but agree him.
'Take care, see you later'
"Bye, Phil and thanks"
"Done?" Malcolm asked with a raise brow.
I laugh and nod my head before he helps me with the four books in my hand.
"If you want, you can take any kind of books you like in my library" He comment and I gaped.
"You have library in your house?' I quickly asked and he chuckled when he saw my expression.
"Close your mouth, baby" He tease and touch my lips lightly which make me blush before added "Yes and I guess it's bigger than the library in this town"
"How about internet?"
"What about internet?"
"Do you have good connection of internet since I can't find it in Dingle, the line is really bad" I explain and smile when he nodded.
"We build small tower for internet connection long ago"
"Wow" I nod dumbly, forgot that he is wealthy man; of course he can build something like that.
Stupid me.
"You know, I found something interesting about the Silent forest" I start before take a glance to the man beside me to see his reaction.
His face still in-expression when he said "What did you found?"
I shrugged "Just that it's scary forest and the only family who dare come near it, only yours" I state lightly, try to show him that it didn't affect me even though I want to know more about the history of his family and why people in town afraid of them.
There must be explanation behind it.
We stopped in front of his black Bentley that I saw before and saw him put my books on the passenger seat behind.
"I didn't know you search about my family in internet" He comment and shocked me by his sudden outburst.
I quickly shook my head "I'm not" I squeak and saw him chuckled.
"You're a smart woman, Lucia" He state seriously with a small smile "I know you have opinion which I can tell it's close to the reality than others" I lock my gaze on him when he speak and saw something behind his words.
Something that the internet tells was true.
"Lucia"
"How do you know my name?"
"I was waiting for you to come back"
"What?"
"To come back to where you belong"
That was the first time when I meet him, the conversation we make didn't make sense.
How his voice sound the same like the wind that I hear for years.
The manner..
The stiff attitude that we can only found in Victorian area.
No one ever see one of the Black family members.
The fear that people show when he's around.
Oh God... Is that mean he's really a.. a demon?
They were known sell their soul......
"You're freezing, my queen"
One of the servants calls me her queen.
"Master Malcolm said this clothes suit you more than a dress that I prepare"
"Thank you, it definitely my style"
"We're happy he finally find you, ma'am"
"Find me?"
"Master go anywhere to search you ma'am and we all glad with his successful and I am proud to be your helper, Oh.. I am Gwen; it's nice to finally meet you my queen"
Queen..
'My grandmother's sister died after she's going on a date with Malcolm Black, the grandfather long ago'
'Aren't you afraid? You're the next victim!'
Victim.. Queen..
Oh God..
'But I shouldn't do that, Tobius mad for put you in danger. I forgot that you're a human and fragile'
Human.. Fragile..
I gasped and meet Malcolm eyes; he knows that I had something on my mind by his expression.
We stood there staring at each other eye for a minute; I don't know what I should say about this information. It can't be real.
"Lucia?" Malcolm speaks and touches my cheek.
I gasped and quickly raise my head to see his pained expression.
For the first time I see something in his eyes.
Fear.
"What did you find?" He asked softly with his thumb stroke my cheek tenderly.
"Malcolm, I.."
Before I can speak anything, I hear someone screaming scarily and I feel myself being picked before the scene changed and I arrived in the place that I know before, his room.
How?
Malcolm hands hold me tight on my waist but before I can think more, I felt myself fall into darkness.
What is going on?
Was my last thought before I let myself lose consciousness.
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- Writer
