Prologue - To whom it may concern.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMI1Bi30Ii
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When we are young we think life is endless, that we are somehow immortal. Few fear death but no-one wakes up with the thought; this is the day I die. There are exceptions of course. Unfortunately, I became one, together with my friends. It wasn´t until recently that we got this mindset, but something inexplicable happened that made us this way. This sudden crash of reality made us full of anguish. Now, in a state of melancholy, the one thing that is supposed to kill me in the long run became my torch of hope; the one thing that could take my mind off of dying and sink back into what was once my truth. It's a familiar feeling that gives me inner peace, but just for a brief moment. How ironic. I only have a couple of these cigarettes left, so I have to write this quick; before the despair flows back in and I am unable to think about anything other than survival.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlhkKuabo5
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The reason I write this is to get our story told; to get our message to those we cannot reach right now. We don't know where we are or even when we are. So see this as a message in a bottle. Not for help, but for closure.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq6iD568rV
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I don't know where to start so I'll just begin from where it still made sense to me. All our mobile phones died out already so we don't know how long it's been by now. What I do know is that I really want to get back; this place is taking its toll on our sanity. At first we brushed it off as a delusion of the mind, a flashback to a crazy night, but somehow everything has changed.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNqwiW6D4t
I'm not good at writing so bear with me please; hopefully some of it will make sense to whoever is reading this. I really hope it does, because to us it feels as if we entered pandemonium.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdjpy03xCa
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Our group of friends consists of six people; two girls and four guys, me included. All of us are very close friends and with some of them I go way back. We were preparing for a road trip from Amsterdam to Budapest. By car it would take us fifteen hours of nonstop driving. Of course we weren't planning on driving without stopping. This is where we made our fatal mistake. All of us wanted this trip to become special and something we would never forget. And that it did.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1mPbUwu2c
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The friendship I have with these people holds a very intriguing history concerning nights of madness and all out insanity. This included anything illegal and hanging over the border of human morality.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gXEg3ROk2
There were always plenty of uppers, downers and psychedelics involved and the trip to Budapest was no exception. We stocked up on all of them, piled our camping gear and everything else into the Alex’s old rusted out van, the paint on it was peeling in so many places it was hard to tell it was originally green.
Going from Amsterdam we went to Germany to see what crazy nightlife Berlin holds for us. And man was it insane; we ended up lost in the city and had to party through the night in lack of a sleeping place. The next stop was Bratislava. Were we slept in a hostel and went to an underground techno party, all because someone watched a crazy horror movie about a road trip that also started in Amsterdam. They never came back from their journey as well, how ironic.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYixsjCHvqt
Booming music, flashing lights and grinding pelvises is all I remember about that night, and somehow we still ended up the next day on our final stop before Budapest.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf07kjb4jnx
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The part of our journey we wanted to be something special was to arrive in Croatia. To be more specific; the enchanted woods of Croatia. I saw some pictures online and someone wrote an article about how magical this place is. We thought this was going to be the best stop on our trip through Europe. The best place to set up camp and have one of those nights we´d never forget. Well, looking on the bright side; it did turn out to be one of those nights.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw7LfoA99V
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Traveling through Croatia felt like the longest drive ever. We drove past some great ruins and still standing castles, old villages and long deserted roads through endless forests, when we finally arrived at the perfect spot; in the middle of a forest where we could have the whole night just to ourselves. We started unpacking our camping gear, settled for a spot between the trees and commenced, from what I remember; a nighttime full of obscurity.
Chapter 1 - Twilight.
Summer vacation: another morning of waking up without an alarm clock. It should be bliss but this massive headache isn’t making it any better. I wish I could have slept more but it seems the first light of dawn woke me up. Strange, I don’t remember how I came to be sleeping on the ground fully clothed and why I’m not inside one of the tents me and my friends set up last night.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4rIipBIWx
Looking up while lying on the ground really emphasizes how crazy tall all the trees are. They rise into the sky above me like benevolent giants. And even though I was awoken by morning most of this place is covered in shadow. Must be the density of the forest, I mean; looking deeper into it I can see it´s still really dark in some places.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ19bZwGppe
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After rubbing my eyes I try, very slowly, to sit upright, which comes accompanied by painful moans. Sadly; I can now see the full extent of the battlefield that is our camping site. One tent still stands and the other two look like a wild animal took a liking to them. I try to make sense of the situation but then I spot three of my friends lying around me on the wet grass, good thing we still had our manly chivalry last night and gave the one tent still standing to the girls. Bad thing is my clothes are soaked from, I guess, lying outside when the morning dew started setting in.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aquhZJHJt
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I get up, notice the other guys are still sleeping and head over to the remains of my tent to check if my bag of clothes survived whatever happened to the tents last night. It did, so I change into a clean black shirt, beige shorts and search if I have any cigarettes left. Lucky for me there is a whole carton left unopened. It´s like a present from my past self. After finding some water and a little folding chair I sit down trying to cure this hangover with some liquid and nicotine.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK3Ypfndxj
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While lighting one up I notice the real beauty of this place. We managed to find a secluded little meadow surrounded by trees that seem to go on endlessly into the distance. A low rising sun makes for a view straight out of a magical fantasy. The article did not lie when it described the essence of this place. Even though my head is still experiencing the aftershock of the night before, I notice an immense feeling of serenity.
- Little did I know this moment would soon come crashing down. -
After taking in the scenery for what felt like an eternity I hear noises coming from the one still standing tent. The sound of a zipper opening soon follows. A mess of dark brown hair comes sticking out of the opening and through the strands of hair that cover her face I see a pair of bright blue eyes trying to adjust to the surroundings. From what I can tell it seems she might be experiencing the same hangover as me.
After fixing her hair she asks; “What happened to the other tents?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUlJBdJkgn
“Must have happened right before we fell asleep.” I answer. “Because I can recall most of the night but my head is giving me a hard time remembering what happened at the end.”
She laughs as she gets out of the tent. It seems she still has the same clothes on as last night; a pair of black tight jeans and a white T-shirt with a band logo imprinted on the front. Someone luckily evaded getting wet while lying outside.
“Guess you were happy that your tent survived the night, had to change clothes because I woke up soaked.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcMSnKgvpo
“You’re kidding! Ah man, sucks to be you. Better wake up the others or they could get really sick.” She worriedly replies.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WPcmPQZ7s
“Yeah you’re right. We need to pack up soon as well, still have a long drive till we reach the border.” Now looking back at the tent; “You go wake up Noah and pack up the tent, I’ll wake the guys and try to salvage what’s left of our camp.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXhDmYTLmA
She nods and goes back inside.
I finish my cigarette, drink some more water, get up and walk towards where Peter is lying. I try to wake him by shaking him a little.
“Hey Pete wake up man.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wyOBmSlcT
He moves a bit but no signs of waking up.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKe669K9gh
“You really need to help me pack, apparently we trashed the place last night.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtN950XXWc
“What do you mean; thrashed the place?” he mutters.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOUyz7XKXN
“Well, get up and take a look,” I jokingly reply.
After some cursing, movement finally appears as Peter tries to get up. He is obviously in some sort of agony because he immediately reaches for his head. I offer him some water which he happily accepts. After adjusting to his situation I could see now him looking around.
“What happened last night?” Peter asks. “And why am I all wet?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05egCWpukm
“Ah, so you don’t remember as well? It’s the same for Sarah and me.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC2wC72qik
I light up another smoke and turn back to Peter chugging down the water bottle like he hadn’t had a drink in weeks.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPtoaeiVUz
“I feel terrible.” I say “we really should not have mixed the shrooms man.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wGz0FMaBB
“Well obviously you’re right, my head is bursting. Give me a couple of minutes while I try to wake up.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qYVkl9ZUL
“Yeah, sure.” I reply. “Guess I’ll wake up Alex and Max.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOCipnW2Mj
Peter nods and lies back down, so I stand up and walk towards where the others are lying.
After repeating the same waking ritual both of them are up as well. To my surprise they look a lot more awake than Peter and Sarah. While discussing what might have happened to our tents last night I, again, hear movement coming from the one tent that miraculously survived. This time Noah pokes her head out. Her eyes widen as she looks at the remains of the other two tents and to us lying on the ground. She then starts laughing as her head goes back inside.
Half an hour later, more or less, all six of us are sitting around what was left of the campfire from the night before. The guys had changed into dry clothes and everyone had packed their backpacks. Alex managed to salvage one of the tents but the other was beyond repair.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyJTzdf0BI
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We discuss our beautiful surroundings and what we could still remember about last night, which wasn’t a lot to be honest. I take a look around to see if everyone is ready to continue on our journey. Peter is sitting to my left and out of all the people here I have known him the longest. We go all the way back to high school, I can picture us still; two skinny teenage boys with massive backpacks trying to navigate our way past all the big kids. Funny how much we both have changed. His hair has grown really long and curly. It’s hidden under a grey beanie at the moment but small strands of hair managed to escape. Wearing a red sweater, black cargo shorts and a wrist covered in cloth bracelets to proudly show off all the festivals he has been to. Mine used to be covered as well but I had to take them off for my job.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjc5gnKoPH
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Sitting next to Peter is Noah; she is the kind of girl that appears to be far from social but actually is really kind and caring. We met her through Sarah; the both of them were inseparable at the time. This was years ago. Back in the day all the guys had a thing for Sarah, and even though none of us actually ended up with her we became very close friends. And so it happened that every time we invited Sarah to hang out with us, Noah hopped along. It was a bit awkward at first because it felt like she closed herself off and had trouble maintaining a conversation. But in the end Noah really loosened up around us and became part of some of the best memories I’ve made. Even though she got, kind of, corrupted she never really got rid of that aura of innocence. She cut her hair shorter, a lot shorter. I think it was to end that chapter of her life.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4pp4n8Isa
Dark brown silky hair hangs just a bit above her shoulders. A few strains of hair fall over her face but barely cover her dark blue eyes, eyes that always seem to look straight into your soul. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0ZLitVniQ
I can see she is wearing an oversized white sweater and black tight sweatpants. It looks like she chose to be comfy on this trip.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVBtCYWRL6
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Alex and Max are sitting to my right, Peter and I met them at the same time. After graduating high school I thought the best way to celebrate was to give an open invitation party. Meaning everyone who shows up can join in on the fun. It got a little out of hand though, but I couldn´t care less at the time. I was having an amazing time meeting so many new people, and among all of them the ones I had the most fun with were Alex and max. The four of us immediately connected and from that point on we had one adventure after the other. The adventures got progressively more insane each time. We had a habit of experimenting with ways to escape reality.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YXsv1OTcY
The two of them are a lot alike, dressing very casually. The one thing that stands out is Alex his long blonde hair and scruffy face.
Sitting across from me is Sarah; still wearing the same as when I saw her get out of the tent this morning. We got to know her really well over these past couple of years and she quickly became one of the guys. Apart from having dark long hair and pale skin that goes beautifully with the soft features of her face; she also has a funny, geeky and outgoing personality that drew my attention right from the moment I met her. I quickly realized, as I think the rest of the guys did as well, that I didn’t want to possibly break up the friendship all six of us have by pursuing something that might end badly. And to this day I have no regrets, moments like these come rarely and I feel blessed to share them with such close friends.
After some good laughs and breakfast we decide it’s time to navigate our way back to the car. Luckily we carved the tree that marked our way back and from there it is almost all a straight line to walk. We parked our van next to the road hoping no one would actually be on the road other than us and if they were; that they would leave the car alone.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuCBdcooPc
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The hangover is mostly gone by now but still slightly present. A lot of water and breakfast makes me feel a lot better and seeing as the others are rather cheerful my guess is they feel the same way. The sun is standing higher now so at least there is more light shining through the trees. Still, sitting in the van and being on the road again would be better than walking through this dense forest.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv42CpJL0bT
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- As we walked among the trees and looked back one more time I remember thinking about how this night was successful in being a night we’d never forget. –
Chapter 2 - A forest adrift.
To my surprise it feels like the walk back is taking a lot longer than it did on our way there. It could be because we are all tired after not having a good night’s worth of sleep, could be my imagination. Looking in the distance all I can see are more trees, but whatever the reason I suspect we should reach the road rather sooner than later. Luckily the journey is kept interesting by discussing our plans once we arrive in Budapest and an occasional stop here and there for some pictures of the beautiful scenery. Just having so much fun talking and laughing endlessly makes us fail to notice the situation we´re in.
The moment I want to make a comment on how weird it is that the walk is taking so long, Sarah suddenly blurts out;
“Hey, um, guys, not trying to be stereotypical or anything, but I get the feeling we should have already reached the road by now.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXn410QCh1
“Yeah I was thinking the exact same thing.” I reply.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYT1SAztJP
“We couldn’t be lost” Peter says “All we did was walk back in one straight line.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHNhmLRogG
“Is there any way to find out where we are right now?” Sarah asks.
Everybody grabs their phones at the same time to see if there is a signal or anything to find out our current location. To nobody’s surprise it’s the same as last night.
“We are in the middle of nowhere” Alex states “in a country that´s not exactly known for having great cellphone service.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucj3BGYeRM
“Okay, so now what, should we just keep going and hope we reach something familiar?” Noah asks.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLAAZ95TzI
“From what I can tell we haven’t been walking much longer than we did yesterday.” I reply. “Maybe we started walking in the wrong direction after taking those pictures.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb7HGpxfs8
“That is possible.” Max says.
He goes on to explain that there isn’t much we can do except to keep on walking and hope we reach a road, that we then follow trying to find the van or maybe a village that can help us find it. Everybody agrees and resumes walking. This time less focused on the beautiful scenery or what we might do when we reach Budapest. From what I can tell everybody is a bit on edge now, they walk faster and talk less. Completely understandable but it could easily change into panic; lost in the middle of nowhere. Walking deep in a forest, in a country none of us ever visited before.
- I can still remember the feeling of despair that slowly started setting in. -
This stop was my idea so I hope we find something real soon. From what I can tell we have been walking around for almost two hours now. When we were searching for a place to camp yesterday it took us maybe twenty or thirty minutes.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzLoGxSbWy
I look at my watch and confirm it’s actually been two and a half hours since we left camp. The sun is standing high in the sky at this point, making it easier to see into the distance now that it isn’t so dark anymore. Sadly this just made everybody tenser seeing as it looks like there is no end to this forest.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekBzq0GHw2
After walking a while longer we agree to stop so we can eat and drink and discuss our current situation. I put down my backpack, light up a cigarette and go on to proclaim that we are officially lost.
“I never thought I would get in a situation like this.” Alex says. “Maybe if I did we could have prepared some sort of navigation device, something that isn’t an app on my cellphone. How typical is it that we have no connection out here in the middle of fucking nowhere?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ufuTgmVO0
“I agree” Noah replies, “I actually thought that we would end up dead in a hostel in Bratislava, Not lost in a forest in Croatia.”
Everyone laughs a bit but then turn dead silent when in the near distance we hear the sound of, from what I can tell, metal smashing into each other.
“What the fuck was that?” Sarah mutters.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYGk9kghoE
“I have no idea.” Max replies quietly “Should we, um, maybe check it out?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjAyZ8a50P
“You go check it out.” Sarah says. You could hear in her voice that she was scared.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjJtbJzsgJ
“We’ll go and check it out.” I say to Sarah. She nods and sits down next to Noah.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBowX4Gxq4
“Alex, you and Max stay with the girls, Peter and I will go and see what that sound was.”
As soon as I said that you could hear the same sound again, and again. I throw away my cigarette and grab from my bag my Swiss army knife, Peter does the same. We nod to each other and walk towards from where the sound was coming from. It seems to have stopped but I got a good sense of what direction it came from.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZBoKZpnzu
Peter and I tread carefully, walking from one tree to the next. We don’t know what made that sound, could be friendly, could mean danger, but it being here in the middle of the forest makes me think the latter. Suddenly Peter stops, looks at me and put his finger in front of his mouth as to gesture that we should be quiet from this moment forth.
“Look.” Peter whispers. He then points his finger towards something. “There in the distance. I think I see someone beneath that tree.”
After taking a good look in the direction he’s pointing at I can definitely see something underneath that tree. It could be a person.
“Should we check it out?” I ask Peter quietly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs1wBxVLPW
“No wait.” He replies. “Let me confirm something.”
I can see Peter looking for something on the ground.
“What are you looking for?” I ask him.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrXvkJk5Pq
He looks up and shushes me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjklj4OBi6
I stay quiet and wait to see what he´s going to do.
After a brief moment Peter grabs a small stone from the ground. He shows me the stone and we look at each other. I understand what he means and gesture him to go for it.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVazh5ZIxv
He takes a step away from the tree we are hiding behind and throws the stone in the direction of where he was just pointing a moment ago. I take a look from behind the tree and see the stone falling on the ground right in front of what might be a person. It made a sound when it hit the ground but nothing happened after that. No movement, nothing.
“This must be where we heard the noises coming from,” I say to Peter “but it seems we missed whatever happened here.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7GxrndLWu
“I agree,” Peter responds “but if that is a person; he must be sleeping, or worse.”
We look at each other and then proceed to investigate further. We cautiously step forward and try to get as close as we can. There are maybe four trees between us and whatever is on the ground over there. We follow the same method and walk from tree to tree. Until we reach the last tree standing in between us and the unknown. It’s been a good couple of minutes already since we left the group, so I hope that they aren’t getting worried. I look at Peter as if to ask; what now? He tries to look around the tree and I can see him looking at something. His facial expression just changed from cautious to frightened. My curiosity gets the better of me and I try to get a look for myself. I carefully try to move my head to the side so I can look past the tree. Just a bit in the distance; I can see it very clearly now. There is someone lying over there. That person doesn’t seem to move at all. Not since we tried to throw a rock at it.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciQZAK3sVi
After taking a good look I move my head back and look at Peter. He is now sitting on the ground with his back against the tree. His face is without expression.
“Do you think he’s dead?” I ask him.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03KklyzPQw
He looks up at me and says “I don’t know man, what the hell happened over here and what was that noise we heard? It sounded like something made of metal was slammed against another thing made of metal.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJFlhdMqY8
“I was thinking the exact same thing. But I don’t know if he’s dead and I don’t know what that sound was. Best thing to do is go near and see if we can find out. I mean; His life might be in danger and if he is still alive he might know where we are.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPGncsqA2B
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“Just to get this out of my mind,” Peter suddenly says “but I once read about people doing shrooms in a forest just like this one.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmcT41NZJo
“This isn’t the time to talk about doing drugs Pete.” I cut him short.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vI3CPAZNn
“I know, I know, but hear me out.” Peter goes on “These guys had like this crazy adventure that seemed so real to them, while thinking that they were sober. But in reality they were all actually still trippin’ their balls off. You understand what I mean?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshncAKyMQM
“I get what you mean, but Pete we took shrooms a lot of times together and this is nothing like that.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D1z0bkQFw
“Well, whatever the reason I just wanted you to know that I think this might be us still having hallucinations on shrooms.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0bjUbMNoP
“Right. And what makes you think that?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRGnN7rR3t
“Well for starters; there might be a dead guy lying over there, and maybe that we have been walking in this forest for hours now already and haven’t reached anything yet. Even though everyone was convinced we’ve been walking in a straight line.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNUwJ2fjV5
“You make some good points.” I reply. “But even so, I think we should check out if what is lying over there is a hallucination or not. And see if it might tell us where we are.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vjTbOGWSX
“Yeah you’re right.” Peter replies relieved. “But you go first okay?”
I really didn´t want to go first, this scenario is something straight out of a horror movie. But we were lost and the only one that has a slight chance of knowing where we are is lying on the ground, right over there underneath a tree, a few feet away from where Peter and I are hiding. After looking left and right I confirm there is no one in sight, nobody that could harm us. Someone may be hiding somewhere so, just to be safe, I grab my Swiss army knife from out of my pocket and unclip the knife piece. Peter does the same. We nod to each other and I carefully approach the person lying on the ground. I look back and notice peter is following closely. Step by step we come closer and closer. By now I´m close enough to see it’s indeed a man. Taking one step closer I now see that this man was attacked. There is something pierced in his chest and he is covered in blood. At this moment I freeze, I never saw a dead person before in my life. My hand comes up to cover my mouth.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdSvBjOIgQ
Am I in shock? I can’t seem to take another step. Peter comes up to my side, his hand also covering his mouth. We look at each other and I notice an expression on Peter’s face I’ve never seen before. The expression I am making must look the same; a combination of anguish and distress.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl15S5xXWIF
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Looking back at the man I see that what is pierced in his chest is some sort of giant knife, a dagger maybe. Upon further investigating the man it now dawns on me that he is wearing pieces of fabric, like a homeless person, yet the pieces are woven together. He looks really old, with long messy grey hair and the dirtiest beard I have ever seen. Does this man live in this forest? Now, more confused than scared, I get the urge to help him. Suddenly the man makes a coughing sound and it makes me jolt up. I look back at Peter again and notice that his eyes are completely widened in fear. At this moment I think to myself what I should do, so many thoughts at once. Should I help? Can I help? Should I get help? Will help be here on time? Is there even anyone around who can help? Is this what panic feels like? I could feel my legs shaking.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto5WsIQC8b
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Suddenly hearing another cough reels me back into reality. Quickly I turn my head back to look at the man; his eyes now opened and looking straight at me and then down to the knife in my hand. I can see blood coming from his mouth. I take a step closer but the man reacts sacredly by painfully trying to move away. I turn to Peter and hand him my knife.
“What are you doing?” He asks surprised.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ5TkFvPub
“He isn’t dead yet but he will be if no one will help him soon.” My voice trembles.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFd6uvwlS6
“Do you even know what to do?!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxxkW0M0mo
“Of course I don’t! You run back and get Sarah; she will know what to do.”
Peter looks me in the eyes for a couple of seconds, and then back at the man. I could see him thinking about what would be the best course of action. Is it really smart to leave me here alone? He looks at me, hands me back my knife and says;
“You better still be here when I come back.”
With that said he starts running towards where we left the others. I put the knife back in my pocket and turn to face the man again. I put my hands up and say;
“Don’t worry, the knife was for my own protection, I’m not here to hurt you. If you let me, I could try and help.”
He coughs once more and this time his hand quickly covers his mouth. I can clearly see that he is coughing up blood. He looks back at me and I can hear him mutter something. I can’t understand what he’s saying so I try to move in closer. Luckily this time he doesn’t react like I’m here to hurt him. I squat down in front of him and can clearly see that this man needs a hospital. Now close enough to understand what the man is trying to say I’m also close enough to notice the damage this man has sustained. I am afraid that in this forest, underneath this tree, he will breathe his last breath.
“Please don’t try to move.” I say to the man “You are in really bad shape. What happened to you?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7onuGkSZp
“Are you….” He tries to say “Are you…. Here to finish the job?”
Surprised by what this man suddenly asks of me; I couldn’t find the right words to answer with;
“I… No… Me and my friends, we were just camping and… no… I’m not here to, um, finish the job.” I could hardly speak so stunned was I by what this man had asked. “We are lost actually and Peter, um… my friend just now, he um… he is getting someone who might help. She’s a nurse so just hold on tight okay?”
He suddenly grabs my shoulder and for a dying man he still has a strong grip. So strong it took me by surprise. Because of this I stumble and land on one hand. He makes use of this to pull me in closer, so close that he can now whisper in my ear.
“I got him good.” He says while coughing. “He left without finishing me off, bless the gods.”
Slowly dying while coughing up blood is not something I would be thankful for, I think to myself.
“Take the dagger from my chest, it shows his insignia.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5OABKAYxM
“I don’t understand what you mean.” I reply.
He suddenly let’s go of my shoulder and moves his hand towards his other arm. With effort I see him try to get his hands together. He then removes the ring that is on his finger and shifts his arm towards mine.
“Take this ring.” He mutters. “Get it to the mine, they will know what it means, and show them the dagger.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIfdDYVcsl
I nod to him and take the ring, but then remember that I have no idea where we are. “I will try but I’m sorry, I don’t know anything about this mine, or where it is.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZte8Lj0Uoa
“Go east.” He replies. “And if you can…” he continues while coughing up blood. “If you can… Find my book. He took it from me.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VxtqOpTpd
“I don’t know if I can promise you that because I’m not from here, but I will go east and inform the police about your book.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wvJilYHlU
“Someone betrayed me.” He goes on to say. “He knew I was trying to use the crystals.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifYsH6qV0b
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Please take it easy, I can see you’re in a lot of pain.”
He mutters some more things but I can’t understand what he is trying to say. His speech is becoming harder and harder to hear, I believe he is nearing his end.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L5CXX40Tb
Then, from in the distance, I can hear Sarah shouting my name. I look back and see the rest of the group running towards us. I sigh with relief but realize there is probably nothing we can do to save His life. I turn to face the old man and look him in the eyes. It hurts me deeply to see someone in such agony and despair. I tell him everything will be okay now and that I´m sorry I couldn´t be here sooner. He closes his eyes and lets his head rest back against the tree.
- When seeing someone die right in front of you, something inside of you dies as well. –
Chapter 3 - Sanguine.
Night has fallen. The campfire we made is keeping us warm yet all six of us are completely stunned; nobody has said a word since we sat down here. Dead silent is what I would call us, an ironic way to phrase it considering our current situation. I look at Sarah; she is still trying to clean the blood of her hands. While she may say nothing her facial expression speaks for her. And so it does for the rest of us; in shock. How can something as simple as a camping trip turn south so quick on us?267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw33TCQevG4
If only we were better prepared, but then again, how can you prepare for something like this. Completely lost and seeing a man die right in front of you. It couldn’t get any worse than this, I think to myself.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhcf7CqJGB
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I open my hand, revealing the ring that the old man entrusted to me. I try to look if there are any inscriptions on it. It is a golden ring with, on top of it, some sort of insignia. Sadly, not something that looks familiar. Not that I have much knowledge of Croatian heirlooms.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP7zvjCcp8
I think back to what the man said to me, and how his dying wish was for me to return this ring to some mine, east of here. I’ve discussed this plan with the others and they seem to agree but only because finding the mine, most probably, would mean finding help. And with finding help comes finding our van and our way out of here. Going east means we wait till morning and see from what direction the sun rises.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYtCnUZNdD
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Alex and Max had set up the tents while Peter and I made the campfire. The girls get one tent and three of us sleep in the other one, seeing as one tent got destroyed the night before. It will be a bit cramped because we initially brought three two-person tents with us, but we will just have to make do. We agreed on one person holding watch while the rest of us are sleeping. We don’t know who killed that man and if he might still be lurking around in this forest. It’s a scary thought, one that made us take the dagger not only because the old man asked us to, but also because we then have something to defend ourselves with. A Swiss army knife isn’t something that could do much harm if it ever comes to it. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT4wABG0qu
Let’s hope it doesn’t.
“I’m going to try and get some rest.” Sarah suddenly states. “Today was a long day and I just want to lie down and forget any of this ever happened.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrg7j5Cm6p
“I’ll come with you.” Noah responds. “If you guys don’t mind of course.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NNjf4lnTR
“No go ahead.” I reply. “The rest of you can go as well, I’ll take the first watch.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeqTbbGe3G
“Are you sure?” Alex asks worriedly. “If any of us could use some sleep it would be you.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6ui2XJs8z
“I agree.” Max says. “I can take the first watch if you want.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv62mBT53J
“No don’t worry about it, I feel fine. I don’t think I could sleep anytime soon anyway. You go and try to get some rest Max, I’ll be waking you for the second shift.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXLMdeXWF8
“Alright, if you say so.” Max says while getting up. “As long as you keep the fire going.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhJZ8y2aUA
“Don’t worry about it.” I then turn to look at Sarah; “Thanks for today, it must have been tough for you but I believe there was nothing more you could have done.”
Sarah turns her gaze downward; I can tell she is beating herself up over it. Such a gentle heart; always willing to help others. Probably the reason she became a nurse in the first place.
“I know today was insane.” I go on to say. “But I bet that this time tomorrow we are back on the road trying to forget all about this wretched forest.” I turn to look at the others. “Don’t think about it too much, have a good night guys.”
Everyone wishes each other a good night and leave to try and get some sleep. Everyone but me seeing as I am now the lone watcher of the night. I look up at the night’s sky. You don’t get a view like this in any city that’s for sure. The brightest stars I have ever seen painted on a canvas of such intense blackness. What a day I think to myself. I wish I could have a drink, just to forget all about what happened today. Sadly I need to stay sober. Now looking into the deep dark forest I think to myself; who knows what might be lurking out there, or who? Suddenly the reality of the situation kicks in. I’m out here all by myself with who knows what hiding in the shadows. An eerie feeling crumbles down my spine. Suddenly, now encumbered by fear, I jolt up at the sound of a zipper opening. I quickly calm myself down after realizing the sound was coming from one of the tents.
“Did I scare you?” Peter says while getting out of the tent. “The look on your face says I did.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cjhLsvmZI
“Yeah, well, after what happened today this place now gives me the creeps.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmc9Q8wYjm
“I figured as much. Thought you could use some company.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjoEYZG3ll
“Couldn’t sleep huh?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0fzVEGC31
“Couldn’t stop thinking about what happened to that man.” Peter says while walking towards the campfire.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr5017wUWB
“Take a seat.” I say to Peter while offering him a cigarette. He accepts and proceeds to sit down.
We both stare into the flames for moment, listening to the crackling of the wood and the snapping of the fire. Just for a brief moment it feels like a normal camping trip again. Peter and I have been camping many times before. Because of all we’ve been through together over the years; I now consider him my best friend. There was even a time when Peter was the only friend I had. I look up to see him now staring up into the night sky.
“Crazy isn’t it.” Peter suddenly says. “How insignificant today can feel when staring into the endless abyss; the deep darkness that is our universe.” 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxXnJAhxgz
“One crazy experience and suddenly you’re a philosopher?” I jokingly reply.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8U3WGruKO
We both laugh for a while but then turn silent again.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMEdWaBGDr
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“But yeah, today was really intense.” I go on to say. “We saw a man dying in front of us, and we don’t even know his name.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiYceRnfv2
“And somehow he entrusted you with his dying wish.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjOwoFH5Uf
“I don’t know.” I say as I look at the ring the man gave me. “He wants me to take this ring to some mine, together with the dagger he was killed with.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuAa8EuPWv
“At least he told us to go east.” Peter states. “If finding that mine means getting out of this forest then I say go for it; fulfill a dying man’s last wish.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf0DLKmdLa
“That was not the only thing he asked of me.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ4ueJ7jeG
“He asked for more?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjFOAzCyPx
“I think he was trying to say that the guy who attacked him stole his book. He asked me to find it.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9IK0VSGBZ
“I hope you’re not really planning on doing that, right? I mean, apart from everything that happened today; we’re still on a trip through Europe and are now one day behind schedule.”
I look at Peter and see a look on his face like he genuinely believes I’m going to fulfill everything the man asked of me during his final moments.
“No, of course not.” I reply. “If we find someone who can help we’ll just tell everything that happened, including what he asked me to do. I’m not staying in this country a moment longer than I need to.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlnjotl2oQ
“From what I remember, setting up camp in Croatia was all your idea.” Peter says jokingly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBVwu911Uk
“Very funny but I don’t remember reading about getting lost and seeing people die in this forest. We wouldn’t be here if I did I can assure you that.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCEqQ6u9ub
“I know man, I was just joking with you.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGywnzCsBA
“I know but still, I’m the reason we’re here, I cannot deny that I feel a little bit responsible.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM3nzPvais
“Well, for what it’s worth.” Peter says while standing up. “Even though we couldn’t save that man, you still did well today. You tried to help him and even stayed by his side. Not many would do that when faced with the same situation.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LKpV1Y81h
“Thanks man, I appreciate it.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIiSvxoi29
“No worries, now if you don’t mind; I’m going to try and get some sleep.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvReCtVLBfS
“Good night.” I say to Peter.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXXJfxxi0r
“Good luck.” Peter says as he disappears back into the tent.
Luckily nothing actually happens during my watch. Occasionally I put more wood on the fire to keep it from going out but aside from that everything is rather normal. After sitting at the campfire for maybe two hours or so I decide it´s time to wake up Max. Luckily he is easy to wake, so we trade places and I can finally close my eyes and call it a day. But man what a day. Let´s hope tomorrow will be less crazy.
- I remember thinking to myself; hoping that this madness was now over. Sadly, this was just the beginning. Nothing could have prepared us for what came next. -
Chapter 4 - A place out of time.
Ever had one of those nights where you close your eyes and one second later you open them and realize it’s morning already? It feels like I haven’t slept at all and I really could have used a good night’s rest. I get up, get dressed and sit down around the campfire to see how the others are doing. They are eating their breakfast in between yawning which makes it clear that they had a similar night as me. Even though we’re all tired; we pack up camp quite quickly and start our journey walking towards the low hanging sun in the east.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIYb2iraG2
It’s strange how this forest changes during the day. Depending on how the sun breaches through the leaves and branches makes for a different sight each and every time. It’s hard to be wary when faced with a view like this. While looking around this immense forest with trees as far as the eye can see; all of a sudden I get a feeling of clarity. Maybe it’s the aftereffect of what happened yesterday but I suddenly see everything in a new perspective. It makes me feel incredible small, like nothing really matters but life and death. Every problem or situation I once faced in the past, that greatly impacted my life in one way or another, now seems so meaningless.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv86CyZhal
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I stop walking and look up at the sky, close my eyes and take in a deep breath. The air feels so fresh and light and as I exhale I feel every inch of my body getting completely relaxed. Like all the stress that ever weighed down upon my shoulders just released its grip on me during that one breath. I open my eyes and am greeted by the most majestic view I have ever seen. The light glistering on the dew still left on the leaves creates an amazing contrast with the trees that mostly stand in shadow. I look ahead and see my friends walking in front of me; they stop as well and look back. Probably wondering what I’m doing. How can I ever explain in words what I felt just now?267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXvRrHOyuz
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Before any of them can open their mouths to ask me what’s wrong I grab my pack of cigarettes, light one up and offer if any of them want one. Peter accepts but the rest turn around and start walking again. We quickly catch up and while the six of us continue our journey I feel a lot better than I did when I woke up this morning; a clear mind now completely rid of exhaustion.
After traveling east for a couple of hours I notice that the forest is starting to get less dense, significantly less dense. This probably means that we’re reaching the end of the forest. The thoughts start racing through my head; is this really happening? Are we really near the end of this ordeal? I don’t want to mention it to anyone yet as I don’t want to make false promises. But I don’t think I have to because everyone suddenly starts to go a bit faster and at almost the exact same moment. It seems like all of us reached the same conclusion simultaneously. And as we are walking faster and faster we exchange looks at each other and I can see everyone starting to get more and more excited. Nobody says a thing but I can sense what everyone is thinking; please let there be something or someone, who can help us, just a bit further ahead. Maybe when we pass that tree, or the next, or the one after that.
I could feel my energy rising as my speed increases. We´re almost running now, passing one tree after the next. Could we be nearing the end of this insane adventure? Being lost in the vast density of this forest for close to two days. It may not seem like much but reflecting on what happened yesterday I can say, without a doubt, that this will be one crazy story to tell.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fsJTQkEPd
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Suddenly the trees give way for a giant open clearing; a field of grass stretching the distance. Everyone comes to a halt and starts laughing and cheering. Noah and Sarah hug each other. I high five Peter, repeat the same with Alex and Max and then join Noah and Sarah. It turns into a group hug as the others join in as well. This extreme happiness is not without reason because it’s quite the view; we stand at the foot of a giant valley in between mountains with along the sides old castles and ruins. A small river runs from one end of the valley all the way till it’s out of sight. Along the river is farmland as far as the eye can see and being as lucky as we are; we see people working the land. I never expected to feel this happy and relieved when we finally found our way out.
“Can you believe this!?” Sarah suddenly blurts out in relief. “Finally seeing something that isn’t a tree.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMzq907rFl
“And just as I was getting used to the forest.” Peter jokingly replies.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtka012N99e
“Very funny.” Noah says. “I really thought we were going to be lost for days.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpERtMM2jW
“Don’t worry.” I say to Noah. “Let’s leave this forest behind us and find someone who can help. If everything goes according to plan I think by tonight we will be well on our way again.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFBTTJ3O7v
Noah gives me a little smile as she brushes her hair behind her ear.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfyAEPnKZ7
“Man, what a view.” Alex states. “I knew Croatia isn’t as modern as the other countries we visited but this place looks like we took a step back in time.”
Alex is right, I thought to myself. Now looking around I can see the people that work on the land use really old fashioned wooden ploughs, the kind that gets pulled by strong animals. We must be really deep into the country, so deep that modern technology hasn´t reached here yet. Even the farmhouses look like time stood still in this place; made completely out of wood with straw-made roofs. Combine this with their way of transportation, which by the looks of it consists of horse drawn wagons, and it’s just like those documentaries you see on television about the Amish and their lifestyle.
“Let’s just walk up to one of them,” Max says while pointing his finger in the distance, “and hope they can help us find our way, or at least have a phone we may use.”
The joyful mood switches as we realize we may be out of the forest but we haven’t found the mine yet, let alone our van. We decide to keep on going and look around the farmland for someone who might be in the mood to help us. There are many roads connecting all the farms and it looks like a busy day; there are a lot of people that not only work the land but travel these roads as well. After finding a bridge we cross the river and are now finally walking among people again. We come across wagons filled with straw, men and women on horseback, farmers and even children. As we walk past all of them I notice that they are giving us weird looks. Not many tourists visit this place is my guess?267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHemIsTbF5u
I can hear the people whispering and I have a strong feeling that they are talking about us. I look at the others and they seem to have noticed it as well. We keep on walking as these people are not the ones we want to ask for help. Better not provoke more trouble than we already faced the past two days and seeing as we encountered civilization; crossing paths with someone friendlier will just be a matter of time.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRrU2EEUry
I look around at all the people and it dawns on me that they are similarly dressed as the stranger we encountered in the forest; old dirty rags, pieces of cloth woven together and some even wear leather. This must be a very poor part of Croatia, the children run around and play with nothing but sticks and stones. As we are walking one of the children suddenly comes up to us, it’s a little girl and she looks no older than ten. Her hair is wild and unkempt, her face covered in dirt and so are her clothes, it looks like what she is wearing was once a dress. She stops right in front of Sarah.
“You look funny.” The little girl says.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUIZRnWPhY
Sarah kneels down and says to the girl; “Well, you look pretty cute.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRI7m1V41p
The girl smiles and looks at the rest of us. “Are you traveling to the city?” She asks.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCpzty9eBb
“We were lost in the forest.” Sarah replies. “Still lost actually, we have a long journey behind us and could really use some help to find our way.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YUX50YoXQ
The girls smile quickly disappears. “No one goes into the forest.” She suddenly states.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmsg35NNr3
A bit taken aback by her response I ask; “Why does no one go into the forest?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBBxvBghk9
“People go in but never come back out again.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9tiYalCTQ
“Well, we just came out of the forest.” Peter states.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS17tCgkEF
The girl’s eyes widen as she looks at all of us. “You didn’t take the king’s road?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dFMKY7cDt
“No we were camping and got lost on our way back.” Alex replies. “We don’t even know where this road is. This is the first time we’re visiting your country actually.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnYuwrwu60
Suddenly a man walks up to the little girl. He takes the girl by her arm and pulls her away from us. “No talking to strangers Emily!” The man says angrily to the girl. “Especially when they are weird looking.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kuW7cBV0j
“Excuse me.” Max says to the man. “We are actually looking for someone who might be able to help us. You see; we are lost and could use some directions.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVYz6hrd9y
“Find someone else to help you!” The man says with a sneer.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKtZVAqbY1
“I’m sorry but did we do anything wrong?” Noah suddenly asks.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq5Kt8iNXZ
“Go find help in the city.” And with that the man leaves and takes the girl with him.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo90kbKumHV
“But dad, they got out of the forest.” I could hear the girl say as she was dragged away.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgcd9W8PGi
The man suddenly looks back, stares at us for a moment and then continues to walk away.
Stunned by this situation I look at Peter as to ask; what just happened? He lifts his shoulders and says; “Okay that was weird.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT9xGPhvjS
“I totally agree,” Alex states, “but what now, should we go to the city?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrFYi91fJ2
“I think that is our best option right now.” I answer.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZinlhoB9p
“But we don’t even know where it is,” Noah says, with a sigh, “It’s the same thing all over again.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVJcv7ovmi
“Let’s just quickly walk up to someone and ask them the directions to this city.” Peter says.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmjkmpWrad
Everyone agrees.
We resume our journey and see if we can find someone less weirded out by us. Eventually we approach an old man standing beside his cart. He is a bit startled by us at first but after we explain that we are lost he tells us to follow the road we are on and will eventually reach Samobor.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhorPemuPPP
We presume that’s the name of the city.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwCYd6zQ73
It’s a bit further in this valley and apparently the river we just crossed runs straight through Samobor. The man told us we can follow the road for safety or follow the river, which is faster. Sadly the river runs through parts of the forest and seeing as the girl was rather startled by us coming from the forest we decide to take the safer route, which would take us a couple of hours of walking.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGQ0wJiEL3
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- At this point we should have been more aware of the situation around us,267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf91bWeyBuH
but we were too focused on finding help to even notice... -
Chapter 5 - The road to Samobor.
Following the road seems to be taking us further away from our newly found civilization and back into the middle of nowhere. The man assured us it would be safer and looking at the forest around us, after remembering what that little girl mentioned earlier, it now gives me an eerie feeling. Not that the road provides for a better sense of safety; It’s darker than normal because the mountain casts a big shadow over this part of the valley.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8vyBgJgye
We keep walking but know that we have quite the journey ahead of us. It’s a bit depressing seeing as we got this far yet made so little progress in getting back on track. And with every step we take it feels like we’re moving further and further away from our goal. The only thing that keeps me going is the thought that reaching Samobor will end all of this.
“The first thing I want to do when we get to the city is find a place to eat.” Alex states, “I could use a good meal after only eating camping food for the last couple of days.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdIclbePIt
“You can’t be serious?” Sarah asks surprised. “We have been lost for days and we may finally find our way out of this mess but instead the only thing on your mind is food?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxkxWgmBNB
“How can you blame me for that?” Alex responds, “Going through all of this on a near empty stomach isn’t exactly motivating. But when I imagine a nice hot meal waiting for me in Samobor it gives me everything I need to keep going.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMxKxjkHRz
“At least it’s nice to know where your priorities lie.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OTviFjmDm
“Well, what do you suggest we do first then?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVgNU4g6V3
“It’s getting late,” Noah says, “So the first thing I want to do is find a place to stay where we could sleep in comfortable beds and have our first decent night of sleep.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUDkwmQ5Ii
“That may not be such a bad idea.” Peter proclaims. “I actually like that idea a lot.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsmf9NWDKT
“Of course you do.” I say to Peter. “It’s always the easy way with you.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQygQtIEJ7
“Ah let me guess.” Peter says. “You want to walk around the city after dark looking for help? Hate to break it to you but that might not be the best idea. We don’t know the place or the people so to be safe our best option is to follow your plan after we first follow Alex and Noah’s.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoc88z8vji
“Can’t believe I’m going to say this but you might be right Pete. I may be a little bit too focused on getting us out of this mess.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdvBlXOF4Z
“Don’t worry, we still have enough time to reach Budapest, let’s rest up before we get back on the road again.”
With that said I suddenly hear the sound of horses galloping. We all look back at where the noises are coming from and see a horse drawn wagon in the distance is getting closer to us.
“Didn’t the guy from earlier say that this road leads straight to Samobor?” Alex asks267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPns7ZGF5o
“He did.” Max answers. “Which means he must be on his way to the city.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFx6Nm6emu
“Guys, we don’t know who is getting closer,” Noah says, “for all we know it might be the murderer. We’re not really thinking about hitching a ride are we?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8E95Yz7pu
“Don’t be so gloomy, Noah.” Peter says, “We still have a long journey ahead of us so our best bet is to see if it seems safe and maybe ask for a ride to the city if it is.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G2I7mcKoR
“That’s hoping it even stops for us.” Sarah states.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrFnQLH70s
“Agreed,” Peter says, “If it stops we might be in luck. But if it stops we assess the situation and if it seems safe then let’s hope he has room for six.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJgJXXmjl0
“Whatever the situation,” Max says, “Seeing as how people reacted when we said we came out of the forest, I think it’s maybe best to keep it to ourselves. at least for now of course.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pkpGNJor2
Everybody agrees.
We stop walking and wait for it to get near. I see two horses pull a wooden wagon; a man sits on the front and he has the reins in one hand and a whip in the other. He seems to be in a hurry yet he stops and looks at us. He is wearing a straw hat on his head and is dressed as all the others we encountered so far. After a moment of silence the man suddenly asks;
“What business do you strangers have on these roads?”
We look at each other and we all are at a loss for words.
“Well? You obviously don’t look like you belong on this road, so what is it?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLxNsr33XF
“Excuse me sir,” Sarah responds, “You are correct; we are not from here. Yet we seem to have lost our way.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjWhCyTwA8
“A kind man gave us directions to Samobor.” Peter says. “We are now headed there hoping to find someone that can help us get back on our way.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYgNoFQQIj
“Back on your way? And where might that be?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZuSl6jZa8
“We were actually only passing through, we are on our way to Budapest in Hungary.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAQAQoAN8x
“Never heard of that place.”
Peter looks at me with a confused look on his face. I must agree, this is a strange situation yet I don’t sense any danger. I look back at the man and confirm there isn’t anyone else in his wagon.
“May I ask where you are going?” I ask the man.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPSzo2jEtP
“You may. From what I can tell you don’t look dangerous. A bit odd is all. It seems we are headed the same way. It’s not much longer to Samobor so if you want you can hop on my wagon, it’s a lot faster than walking I can assure you that.”
Hoping he would offer us a ride I happily accept, he might even know his way around town. Suddenly I feel a tug on my shirt and look back and to my surprise see that it’s Noah. She seems a bit tense so I ask her what’s wrong but she looks down without answering. I look at Peter but he pulls up his shoulders as to say he doesn’t know either.
“What’s the hold up?” The man asks us. “I’m actually in quite the hurry so if you guys could hop on real fast we should be in town before nightfall.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w9ivfs8Fr
I gesture to the rest to get on the wagon, they comply and Peter starts chatting with the man, I can hear them exchange names but I’m not really paying attention as I turn to face Noah. “Don’t worry.” I say to her, “He seems to be alone and there are six of us, we would never let anything happen to you, you know that right?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4voYyko8r
Noah nods but still averts her gaze downwards.
Her reaction is completely understandable considering what we’ve been through already. We don’t know who we can and can’t trust. I have a feeling that this man isn’t the one to be afraid of but I guess that is how they get you; with trust. But seeing as the others are already on the wagon it’s better for us to join them and head to the city.
I grab Noah’s hand and say; “Just stay close to me okay?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrMxaeWamH
She looks up at me and nods again, this time with a bit more confidence as she keeps her gaze straight at me instead of averting it away. I smile at her and together we climb aboard.
The wooden wagon isn’t much; besides us and the man it’s completely empty. There aren’t any seats apart from a small bench in front where the man is sitting so we take place on the floor in the back. Of course Peter takes place right next to the man and I hear them talking about Samobor. The wagon takes off and we are on our way again.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0W7yDge0K
We find out the man’s name is Ledimir and that someone in the city requests his presence, wouldn’t tell us why though. Not that it really matters. We ask him if he knows his way around but he explains he’s not from here. He travels these roads from city to city but could give us directions to the inn where all the travelers gather. Satisfied with the offer we sit back and rest a bit, it’s been a while since we did and I notice everyone is quite exhausted. Some close their eyes while the rest drink water and eat a bit of the food we still have left.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHcgNLpfJ8
Looking at Noah I can tell she is more at ease now. Feeling relieved; I let my head rest and my mind wandering off. The exhaustion is taking its toll as I feel my eyelids get heavier. Maybe it’s best to just close them, but only for a second.
- Little did we know that this would be the last time the six of us rest so carefree. -
“Jake.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj09LSp6zx
“Hey Jake, wake up.”
Slowly I open my eyes.
“Jake, we’re here and you have to see this.” Peter says excitedly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgEk7K2uSq
“Yeah, yeah I’m up.” I mumble. “How long was I sleeping?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmwX7FSU46
“You didn’t miss a thing that’s for sure but come over here and take a look.”
Everyone is piled up at the front of the wagon and whatever they’re looking at must be very fascinating because I see them pointing and talking excitedly. I wonder what it is that’s so interesting. Luckily, I feel a lot more energized so I get up and join them to see what is worth waking me up for. It’s dark outside so it seems we didn’t make it in time before nightfall, but hearing the sound of running water makes me realize we’re near the river. That means we must be close.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrjc3S2BWI
Suddenly my heart jumps a beat. In the distance, surrounded by the dark of night, is a city bathing in light. Finally! I couldn’t be happier because at the foot of the mountain; built against its slope are hundreds, no maybe thousands of buildings, structures that reach benevolently into the sky, stone-brick houses and in the middle of it all stands a giant castle. A massive wall surrounds everything. I see giant watchtowers guarding the city and a beautiful cathedral. Somehow this city still retained its old medieval architecture. This city seems to come straight out of a history book but could just as well have come out of a fantasy book.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh3ZnUKZK7
The road we are on leads straight to a giant gate in the wall. It must be the entry to this city but it’s closed. I grab my phone because this view just begs to be immortalized, sadly my phone battery already died out. It’s the result of not being able to charge it for days.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75Y0P5m3dg
It’s strange though that the article didn’t mention anything about this city. All I can recall reading about what’s in this area are the enchanted forest, mountains, small villages, abandoned castles and ruins. Yet here, right before our eyes, stands one of the biggest cities I’ve seen in its still preserved old glory. Not that you hear me complaining because reaching a city this big definitely means finding food, a place to stay the night and most importantly; help. Secondly; visiting a city this beautiful on our trip through Europe, even though unintendedly, makes all that we’ve been through the past days seem like less of a burden.
“Was worth it right?” Peter asks me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn6NbvfqWr
“Definitely,” I reply, “This view is amazing. If only I had read about this city instead of the forest we would definitely...”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S4JfNeKKw
“What forest did you read about?” Ledimir suddenly cuts me short.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19cB6zW9hy
A bit taken aback by his sudden interruption I say; “The enchanted forest of Croatia, I read an article about it before we came to this country.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3mKOlcxcv
“What did it say about the forest?” Ledminir asks, “And why did it mention it being enchanted?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkpCv8Cxzh
“The article only said that the forest was enchanted because of its beauty. ” “Interesting.” I hear Ledimir mumble.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74PPeDusHl
Peter gives me a look as to ask why in the hell I mentioned the forest.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatXFiq7ruN
“Why the sudden interest?” I ask. “Do you know anything about this forest?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yt1V0G66p
“Tell me honestly, did you and your friends enter the forest?” Ledimir asks while looking me straight in the eyes.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLfjHp1VWN
Remembering what we discussed earlier about the forest I firmly say; “No, we never went into the forest.” I look at Max and he nods approvingly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR1VG56srm
“Fine, I hope for your sake that you are telling the truth.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEtN5r0R9e
“What do you mean for our sake?” Sarah asks.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8h9Lz1WT7
“How can I put this without sounding like a madman? Let’s just say that there are parts of the forest that hold certain mystery. People in this country believe the forest is actually cursed, not enchanted. Things tend to happen; people disappear, unexplained events occur and those that have gone in and survived always seem to come out with more items than they entered with.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZtkZGNRHk
“What kind of items?” Peter asks.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sKp3R6ZBf
“It’s different each time though it doesn’t happen often and the items are almost always unidentifiable, like they aren’t man made.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyHbsck9ZV
“You seem to know a lot about this forest.” I say to Ledimir.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD05N4ZewtH
“I can say for certain that the six you aren’t from around here, so it’s safe to say that you my clothes have deceive you, I dress this way because the research I do in this area is highly frowned upon by the people. They are very superstitious and would kindly lynch me for disturbing the spirits of the forest or whatever they believe in. I am actually on my way to the city because a new unidentified artifact, as we call it, has been discovered. Someone went into the forest and came out with it.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK0xx56kec
“That’s actually really interesting.” Alex says, “I always had a thing for mystery. Is there any chance that we can see this artifact?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WyDIVAJDr
“Maybe, I have to take a look at it myself first. When we enter the city I will show you to the inn, like I promised. If you found what you came for you can always come to the Gostionica. That’s where I’ll stay during my visit in Samobor.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHQPBR3Yu4
“We might, we’re on a tight schedule.” I say.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDxePU6T5o
“Adventure doesn’t have a schedule.” Peter states. “You don’t get an offer like that every day, I can assure you that.”
At this moment we finally arrive at the gate and it’s an impressive view. From what I can tell the wall stands at least a hundred feet tall and stretches for miles. We halt right before the gate and as we stop we hear sounds of activity on the other end. Suddenly the gate opens and four horsemen exit towards us.
They stop in front of the wagon and one of them says; “Why are you trying to enter the city of Samobor this late an hour? State your business.”
Suddenly I’m completely stunned. The four men are heavily armored; they wear some sort of metal for protection and have a sword hanging from their waists. It’s strange to have such a big city protected in such an old fashioned way. Don’t they use guns in Croatia? No, I know for a fact that they use guns in Croatia. I’ve seen it on the news. I look at Peter and he has the same look of confusion on his face.
“I have a decree from the royal institute that requests for my immediate presence.” Ledimir answers.
One of the men gesture to the other to go forward and the man next to him steps of his horse. He walks towards the wagon, I see Ledimir pull a piece of parchment from inside of his coat and hands it to him. The man reads it and looks back at the one that gave the gesture, he nods in approval. The man then hands the parchment back to Ledimir. I keep silent but have so many questions. There is chaos in my head; a hurricane of everything that doesn’t add up rushing through my mind. What the hell is going on?
“What about the strangers who accompany you?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdxL5ilWFk
“They are with me.” Ledimir answers.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdO9AO8PW0
“As long as order is maintained, so let me give you this warning, strangers.”
Just by looking at the others I can tell they are on edge by what’s happening and are listening very carefully to what this man is going to say next.
“It doesn’t look like any of you are from around here, but heed my advice very carefully. Don’t go starting trouble or we will put you on the block.”
With that said the men turn around and disappear back into the city. More bewildered than ever I sit down in the back of the wagon. Ledimir orders his horses to enter the city. Under normal circumstances I would be up front to see what great view awaits us but I can’t wrap my head around what happened. Those men, this city, the forest, everything seems so out of place. Maybe even more than that; like time stood still in this place. But that can’t be. It just can’t.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXpvoOgvAf
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