CHAPTER 02

Ocean was moving slowly towards the dark yet breathtaking forest. She couldn't feel a thing. Sam and Carla came back as they saw the car door was open and Ocean wasn't in the car. They looked around and found her walking towards the forest. She was almost in the woods. Sam and Carla called her a few times but she didn't even stop. She kept walking. Sam ran towards her and grabbed her by her elbow. Her eyes were pitch black and she looked like she was sleepwalking. Sam cupped her face but no response. Sam grabbed her by the arms and shook her body. That's when she looked at her father. She was confused. All she could remember was she fell asleep.

Ocean: How did I get here?

Sam: What do you mean? Why did you get out of the car?

Ocean: I was in the car daddy. I don't know how I got here.

Sam: That's it. This place is freaking crazy and creepy. We are leaving, right now.

Carla: But Sam....

Sam: No more buts. Now get in the car both of you or I swear to God you both are going to regret it.

Ocean: But daddy, I swear I don't know how I got out of the car.

Carla: Baby, have you seen someone?

Ocean: Nothing mommy. I was in the car. Then I locked it as you both went into the woods. Then next I was standing in the woods.

Sam: Enough! Both of you IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW. We are not staying any longer in this creepy place.

Carla: Sam why are you yelling at us. Just calm down.

Sam: Calm down. Really. I told you both, warned you not to go in this stupid creepy forest. You both didn't listen to me. Now all this is happening. 

They all sat in the car. Ocean eyes were filled with tears.

Sam: Ocean is never coming back here, EVER...

               6 years later.

Ocean came back home after a long tiring day at school. She was excited to see her parents. They were out in the country for some business deal. On Mr. and 

Mrs. Knight's order, the whole house was decorated. 

Ocean: (Finally. It's my birthday and they will be back tomorrow I hope so they will.)

Ocean went to her nanny Tara and asked her.

Ocean: Hey Tara. Did they tell you when they'll be here?

Tara: I don't know baby. But they won't be able to make it till your birthday. They are busy. Maybe the day after tomorrow.

Ocean: What? But they promised me.

Tara: They did but honey, they are working there.

Ocean: They are the worst.

Ocean said that and ran to her room. Tara felt bad after lying to Ocean. But her Master ordered her and the others that their arrival should be a surprise for Ocean. Tara told Ocean's reaction to her Master.

On the other hand, Ocean locked herself in the room. She didn't even come out for dinner. She was crying in her room. Tara tried to make her open the door or at least eat something but she started sobbing harder, so she left. In all those sobs and tears, Ocean prayed to God for her parents' arrival by dawn. Between tears and prayers, she didn't know when she dozed off. She heard the door b rung twice, just like Sam rings it every time. She opened her eyes, it was dawn. Her heart welled up with happiness. She got up, unlocked her door and ran out of her room. She heard voices coming from the living room. She tiptoed and hid behind the wall so no one would see her. She wanted to surprise her parents. 

Man: Where is she?

Tara: Master, she's in her room. Locked inside since last night.

Mar: At least I don't have to deal with the hard part right now.

Tara: What is it Master, Is everything okay?

 Man: Nothing's okay Tara.

Ocean heard the man start crying, she got curious. She decided to walk to the door of the living room. The man talking to Tara, was none other than her Uncle Jack. 

Jack: They were on their way back to New York City, but their plane crashed. Rescue team is working there but there is no way they have survived it. They are gone Tara. It's over. Sam and Carla are dead.

Jack and Tara heard a loud gasp by the end of Jack's sentence. They both turned and looked at Ocean's shocked state.

Ocean: You're lying....

That's all she managed to say as darkness enveloped her. Jack ran to her and was able to catch her before she could hit the ground. He carried her to his car, got in and kept Ocean in his lap. He ordered the driver to take them to the hospital as fast as he could. In 30 minutes, they reached the hospital. Jack carried her to the emergency room. Doctors checked Ocean and Jack waited outside. 

Jack: How is she?

Doctor: She is in shock. She needs some rest, she'll be fine.

Jack: Thank you doctor.

Doctor left and Jack dialed his wife.

Lora: "Did you tell her? How did she react?"

Jack: "She's in the hospital. She fainted because of the shock."

Lora: "Oh my God."

Jack: "I'm bringing her with me."

Lora: "Okay. I'll set her room."

Jack: "I'll see you in a few hours."

Lora: "Take care of yourself too Jack."

Jack: "Yeah, bye."

Jack hung up and sat down beside the hospital bed. In a few minutes he received another call. It was the Chief of the rescue team, looking for Sam and Carla.

Chief: "Good morning sir."

Jack: "Good morning. Did you find them?"

Chief: "Yes sir. I'm so sorry. We have found their bodies. They jumped out before the crash but they weren't really lucky."

Jack:" How much time will it take to get them to New Orleans?"

Chief:" The chopper is here sir. It will take a few hours."

Jack: "Okay. Thank you for your help."

Jack looked at Ocean. He knew it would be difficult for him to handle his niece alone, so he called Tara and ordered her to pack Ocean's personal belongings as she won't be living here anymore. On the other side, Jack ordered the pilot of his private plane to get ready as they will leave New York City in an hour. Jack talked to doctors for Ocean's discharge, he signed the discharge papers and took his niece with him. On their way to the airport, they picked up Ocean's luggage. In an hour, they were in the air and on their way to New Orleans.

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Ocean opened her eyes and everything was charged. She looked around, the room looked familiar but it wasn't her room. She got up and looked through the window above the head of the bed. She saw a dark forest. The same forest she dreams about every night. That's when she got it that it's her uncle's house. But she didn't know when and how she got here? Her father did as he said, she never came to New Orleans after that incident. So how come she's here? She couldn't remember at all. All she knew was that she was praying for her parents arrival on her birthday and she must have fallen asleep with that. She leaned to the window to look at the dark forest. It was as beautiful as all those years ago. Then the picture of those two stars came in her mind again and her room started to become all dark. Slowly, her surroundings vanished and all she could see or feel was the forest. Lora came into her room to check her if she's okay. Lora found her leaning with the head of the bed as her forehead was in the glass of the window. Lora called her many times but she didn't move an inch. Lora got scared and called Jack. Jack came running in Ocean's room. Jack sat at the edge of the bed and turned Ocean's body to him, now she was face to face with Jack. He saw Ocean's once sky blue eyes were pitch black. It was like she was in a deep sleep and dreaming. Jack grabbed Ocean by her shoulders and shook her hard. That's when her eye color changed back from black to blue. She looked at Jack with confused eyes. It was like she just woke up from deep sleep. Then all the things that happened in New York City came rushing into her mind. Her eyes welled up and all she said was.

Ocean: They left me alone.