TO BE SAVED

After that conversation with Mom, I began planning how I was going to travel. The North country was a day's journey and I needed supplies for the road.

Of course I did not tell Mom the real reason for my visit to Aunt Gloria's place, I only told her that I wanted to know where she lived because I've never been there and that I would be back in two days time. She fell for my lie which was not really a lie if you think about it.

After packing everything I needed, I went over to Maggie's place and told her to look after Mother while I was away. She asked me where I was going and I told her exactly what I said to Mom. I know Maggie, if I told her the truth she would have wanted to go with me or threatened to tell Mama.

The next morning, I started my journey, not before hugging Mama and reminding Maggie to be checking in on her. As predicted, the journey was a long one and by the time we entered the country I was exhausted. I won't lie, the moment we entered this place something felt kinda off.

I pushed that feeling aside because it didn't mean anything, right? I got down the carriage and asked the nearby people where I would find the road that led to my aunt's place. From mom's description, I can see that not so much has changed. Finally I located the Alex house.

Turns out, after my grandparents died, aunt Gloria moved into the family house. Grandmother died first and when Mom heard about it, she cried for weeks. Later she decided to visit, and as expected, grandfather did not want anything to do with her. To him, she was dead. Aunt Gloria was the one that showed Mom grandma's grave. Three months later, grandpa died as well and even though he did not forgive Mom, she still went to his funeral and since then the sisters have been very close.

I found my aunt outside the house talking to someone, when she saw me, she smiled.

" You look just like your Mother!" She exclaimed.

For someone that has never met me before that was a good observation. I also knew it was her because of her resemblance to my mother. She hugged me and ushered me inside.

We chatted and talked about her kids who had travelled with their father to his country to visit their other cousins. She said they would be back in three days but I informed her that I was only staying the night and would be leaving the following afternoon.

The following day I said my goodbyes to her and started heading to the town's healer. I wanted to ask the healer about Gwen. On getting there, I was given an audience.

"Good afternoon ma'am." I said.

"Good afternoon thank you, how many I help you?" She asked.

"I want to know if perhaps you're familiar with someone, a healer actually, by the name of Gwen." I said. She looked at me for a second.

"You want to meet with Gwen? May I know the reason?" The woman asked.

"I'm here on my mother's behalf and what I want to say needs to be said to her." I said in a calm voice.

"The lady leaves in the cottage not far from the forest near the exit of town. There's a road there, I'm sure you won't miss it." She said.

I thanked her and continued my journey. I found the road and started following it, indeed there was an old looking cottage situated there, in the middle of the forest.

"Well that's not creepy at all." I said to no one in particular.

I knocked on the old door and there was no response so I decided to knock again and I heard the sound of chains. I waited for whoever it was to open and when they did, I was shocked. It was the woman from the market and roadside.

I was short for words. What was the woman doing here? And if she knew all that about my mother, why didn't she say anything?

The woman kept staring at me.

"Finally got your answers?" She asked. I didn't know what to say to her so I just stood there.

"How do I save my mother?" Was all I said.

"Didn't she tell you everything?" She asked me instead of answering my question.

"She did. But she didn't not tell me how to save her so that's why I'm here." I replied.

"Nothing you do will save her." She said and I frowned.

" What do you mean by that? My mother can't die just like that all because of some spirits." I fired back at her.

"We have been waiting for you, child." She said.

"What do you mean by that? So you knew that I would come for answer and you chose not to say anything that day by the roadside." I questioned.

"What was the point of telling you anything when we needed you to be here." She said.

"We? Who are you talking about." I asked

"Come child, sit." She coaxed. I obliged.

"I wish I could tell you all the answers to your questions but I would be changing fate. You'll need to get the answers yourself. Just know that you being here is not accidental." She said.

"And where am I supposed to get those answers?" I asked.

"All I can tell you is follow the darkness." She said. And with that I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I found myself lying on the grass. I panicked because the surrounding was unfamiliar. I looked around and all I saw were trees. Tall, creepy trees. Where was I? Because the last thing I remembered was having a conversation with Gwen.

Then I heard it, the creaking sound of trees as they swayed in the wind. Something was out there. That thought alone scared the life out of me. I took to my heels and started running in the opposite direction.

"Grrrr!"

My feet stopped moving. What was that? Something was out to get me. I immediately hid behind a big tree and held my breath so as to confirm where the sound was coming from.

Then it happened again, a low, guttural growl rumbled a distance not very far from where I was. Curiosity took the best of me, I wanted to know what was after me. I knew I had no choice than to stay put because if whatever was out there caught me, I'd be dead meat. I gathered strength to have a peak and as soon as I did, I came face to face with a beast that stood towering at twelve feet, with sinewy, obsidian-black skin that absorbs light, making it nearly invisible in the dark. Its elongated limbs ended in razor-sharp claws, capable of slicing through the toughest armor. The beast's eyes are a haunting crimson, glowing faintly as it stalked me.

"Grrrrrrrr" it roared again and I lost consciousness.