CHAPTER 3

The birds are chirping early this morning and wake up before my alarm hits. That's not usual for me to wake up early on days but i have this weird feeling in my guts since Dad proposed about the vacation. Something is going to happen, best or worst, the time will tell.

I descend the staircase and run to the kitchen, finding mom and dad asleep. I grabbed a jacket from the hanger and went out to get some fresh air. I love the smell of air, woods and soil. Sometimes, I feel that I belong somewhere in the woods but the drastic nightmare made me afraid of the woods. 

I agreed to go on the trip because I want to see my parents happy. But, since yesterday, i can’t shrug this feeling from my head. I can’t find peace in this. After my morning walk, I came back home and took a shower. I hear scattering of utensils, Mom is waking up and she is preparing something in the kitchen.

I got dressed and went to the kitchen. I greet my parents and eat my breakfast in silence. 

“So, everything is ready?” Dad asks.

“Yep! And I baked some cookies for the trip, Onyx’s favorite choc chip cookies.” Mom states.

“Thank you, mom!”

“Onyx, help me load the bags in the trunk.” he asks and I agree.

We loaded all the bags and stuff we will require on our trip. We all went inside the car and drove away. The busy streets of Copenhagen seem to be never ending when you get stuck in traffic jams. I keep looking out of the window to pass the time but something gets my attention. An ad with a big wolf pixelated on the enormous screen. I keep looking at the picture of the wolf like he is looking at me. I was never fond of carnivorous animals but like one got my attention.

“Dad! Have you ever seen a wolf?” I ask inattentively.

Dad hitches on my question but replies after a long pause, “I never encountered one but heard about them alot. They are dangerous but beautiful species God has ever created. They are the biggest example of teamwork and unity.”

“So, the place where we are heading has wolves?” I ask.

“I don’t think so, I never heard about that.” Dad shrugs the topic and I stay silent further.

I scroll through social media and gaze at the photos of my batchmates. They are all having fun. I smirked and off the screen, then drifted to a peaceful sleep. After a while, not sure how much time has passed but something strikes my nostrils which makes me wake up immediately. An irresistible scent of sandalwood and jasmine, plus both of them are my favorite.

“Did we reach?” I ask.

“Almost! You slept for more than 4 hours.” mom informs.

“Really?” I asked surprisingly. 

Dad parks the car near a blunt ground, which seems like a parking place for tourists. 

“We will walk to the cabin from here.” Dad informs.

We all nod in agreement and head to the place where we are resting. I take out the bags and place them in the cabin. The cabin is small but we have enough space of three. I notice from the window that Dad and mom are arranging bricks and stones to make a barbecue. I join them as well.

“Wow! Dad! This mini barbeque looks amazing.” I appreciate it.

“I hope it will work.” Mom grunts.

She is cutting some veggies and I help her too. Then, Dad takes me to the woods to collect some spare wood to cook the food. He ignites the barbeque and mom prepares the gravy.

“We will go for a hunt, tomorrow. I hope you will like it son.” dad mentions.

“Hunt? For what?”

“Anything that can fill our stomach. We will hunt wild animals and prepare food, that's what ancient people used to do.” Dad explains.

I scrunch my eyebrows and press my lips in a flat line. To be honest, I am not excited with his new idea but I will help him.

“Sure!”

“Come on boys, eat dinner before it gets cold. You don’t have a microwave here to reheat again.” Mom yells.

After the dinner, we all went inside the cabin where we played some family games together. This trip wasn't that bad then I thought. There is only one room in the cabin so I take the compact living room to sleep.

I keep turning sides but i can’t sleep. My parents are sleeping faster than me. I didn't want to trouble them so I went outside. I was careful since woods are not safe in the dark, more I have this weird phobia from my dreams.

I bought a packet of cigarettes to pass the time and i guess this is the right time. I lit it and smoked peacefully but alert, I don't want to embarrass my parents for my habit. I throw the end of the cigarette and crush it under my feet. As I was about to take a turn back to the cabin, my nostrils inhaled the same unforgettable scent. It's jasmine and sandalwood, and this time, it is stronger.

I wonder if this place is full of sandalwood but still, it's a normal forest. It can’t be possible. My subconsciousness drags me more towards the direction from where the delicious scent is coming. I don’t want to go deeper in the woods but I can't resist my curiousness. My heartbeats fast and my breath hitches. I still can't control myself to explore the woods in search of the thing that emits this wonderful fragrance.

I reach up to an empty place from where the moon looks much bigger than what I have seen in the city lights of copenhagen. I have always admired the beauty of the moon, so silent, much selene. 

Suddenly, I heard rustling of the leaves behind me and I let my guards up in defence but what came out of those trees made my jaw drop to the ground. A girl? I guess she is a native but she doesn’t look like she belongs here.

Her mesmerising long dark mane is like the black clouds covering the sky to pour the rain and her hypnotising grey eyes are the ocean of deep memories.

“Sorry to bother you, I am a tourist here and drag inside somehow, but can you tell me the way back to my place?” I ask her but she keeps staring at me like she saw an alien or maybe a geek weirdo who can’t find a way back to his cabin.

“Finally, we met!” she said.

I look at her in confusion, “i didn’t get your point. I don’t know you, do we follow each other on instagram?” I ask.

“But I have known you forever, love.” 

Okay! She is a psycho, no one can fall in love with a geek nerd, not at first sight.

“Is this place full of cannabis?” I asked her.

“How are you? I have been looking for you everywhere.” the girl said and now it's troubling me, the way she is looking at me is irritating me.

“I never met you before then how can you say anything like that? My dad is in the Police department. He must be searching for me.” I try to warn her but she stares at me with a blank expression.

“I am here for you, not for your dad. Onyx!” 

“Holy cow! How the hell do you know my name?” I ask in surprise.

“The moon goddess told me.” 

“What? No!! No!! Where is the camera? You are trying to prank me, Right? I can sue you and your stupid chanel for pranking me.” I threaten.

“I don’t understand what you are saying? I thought you will be happy to see you mate.” she cries.

“What?”

“I am your mate, onyx!”