Chapter 2

Chapter 2

AMARA CAN'T sleep. Something is running on her mind like places she wanted to visit just to forget about Alex.

She sighed for the ninth time and decided to search places in the internet. She opened immediatly her old laptop and started to type.

She wanted a place that is rarely visited by torurists. A place where it's secluded but breathtaking.

She spent all her time looking pictures in the internet especially the beaches but even if they are all beautiful, she seems to not chose it.

She sighed then suddenly, a certain mountain caught her attention. She can't take her eyes from it. Tall trees are surrounding it and she's not sure about the appearance of it in person.

"Mt. Destora," she read the name of the mountain.

There's no much information about it. The location, name of the mountain and the means of transportation to reach it is then only information attached on the picture.

According to the description below, Mt. Destora can be found at Riverious, a small town located near the so-called mountain.

She clicked the 'Riverious' and the a small town picture popped up on the screen including a small map.

Her eyes seems seems to be glued on the picture. She has a knowledge on different mountains in the country but this mountain named Destora is new to her. She wasn't even familiar of it.

She thought that that place is perfect to unwind and maybe she could shout at the top of the mountain all her feelings. She read an article that shouting your feeling is a great way to ease the pain.

Amara js determined to know some details about the mountain. It's a good thing that there's a map attached on the photo. She really wants to try it.

Ever since she was a kid, she haven't tried yet to climb a mountain. That's because she's not the adventurous type. It's fine with her staying inside the house since her work can be done there. Even when she was still studying. She prefer staying at home than going with her blockmates and joined their night outs.

 "I hope this one is effective," she hoped with a small voice thinking about climbing the mountain and shout everything she wanted to say to her ex.

When she's finally done searching some informations that she needed, she find a hotel that she could checked in for three days. She thought that three days maybe is already enough for her to clim the mountain.

Good thing her savings is enough. Thanks to her last published book last month.

Her eyes are already getting drowsy until she already fell into a deep slumber.

THE NEXT morning, Amara fixed everything and pack all her necessities before going to Riverious. Thank goodness, her food is still enough because she went to a grocery store the other day.

"Food and snacks, check! Clothes, check! Charger and powerbank, check!"

She scanned everything and made sure that all are complete. Awhile ago, she made a checklist for the things she needs to remember that's why she's checking it now. She often forget some things when she go to different places.

That's what Alex don't like about her when they were still together. That she needed to double check everything just to make sure. She remembered one time when she had abeen book signing to a hotel. She forgot to bring her laptop! The laptop is her main necessity as a writer and yet she forgot to bring it. What a shame. That's why in the end, she called Alex to bring it for her.

She almost cursed herself at that thought. Alex again...

She shooked her head. She should stop thinking about him starting from now. It's done. They are both done. They're relationship for three years is now put to waste.

AMARA locked the door of her apartment. She played with her keys with a smile on her lips while taking her way to her old car which is pack just in front of her apartment.

She bumped into her old landlady who's busy sweeping. The old woman's hair is in a neat ponytail. Her white hair is showing already, even her wrinkles are evident that made her look order.

"Amara, are you leaving?"

Amara smiled at the old landlady. "Yes, Grandma Rosie! I won't take long, don't you worry! Don't miss me too much, okay?" she said with a playful tone.

"It seems like you have a date with your boyfriend. Hmm," The old woman teased her.

Amara's smile instantly faded. What the hell? There are so many reminders of her ex!

"No, it's not that, Grandma Rosie!" she shook her head. She's having a doubt on telling her if what did really happened to her and Alex.

"Oh! So, are you alone?"

"Yes, Grandma Rosie. I'm alone."

"Then you should be careful, Amara!"

Amara just nodded on her. "Yes, of course, Grandma Rosie! So, I'm going now," she said and jogged towards her old black car.

Before starting the engine, she opened her Waze app and type the location of her destination. It appeared on the screen immediately that made her smile.

She drove her way to Riverious while listening to the radio and to lessen the silence. She's used of traveling alone sometimes but this time, it seems like the silence is slowly eating her peace of mind.

She diverted her attention to the song that is playing from the radio. She even strum her finger that perfectly tuned with the song

"Rvierious, here I come," she whispered to herself while driving.

AMARA DIDN'T expect that it will took her four hours of driving before reaching her destination. She passed the arch were "Welcome to Riverious!" is boldly written at the top. She suddenly felt alive.

She cursed herself when she remembered that she forgot to eat breakfast awhile ago. She stopped over at the nearest drive thru but it's not really enough. Even her butt is already aching.

On her way to the hotel that she booked online, she noticed the scenery outside. There are too many trees and greeny rice field. She could sense that the life of the people here is simple just by looking at the ssurroundings.

When she got out from her car, she immediately went inside the hotel. The hotel's name is 'Riverious Hotel'. It looks fine, she's not just sure about the appearance of the hotel inside.

"Enjoy your stay, Ma'am!" the receptionist said as she gave her the key card of her hotel room.

"Thanks!"

While holding her bag, she went to the elevator and looked at the interior design of the hotel. It's not that extravagant lile those typical hotels in the city but she must say that the design is really nice. The staffs are also nice and the transaction is fast. She confirmed it when she booked a hotel room. She nodded her head with satisfaction.

 When she finally entered the elevator, she tapped her floor number which is the room 101 at 23rd floor. As the elevator went up, her head suddenly ache because of the long drive. All the hunger she felt awhile ago is now gone because of the headache.

"Damn," she cursed and message the side of her head and lean it on the elevator's wall.

When the elevator stopped, she unmediately got out and walk her way to her designated room and swiped her key card. She doesn't have the time to check the room already  and just lay her back on the soft mattress of the bed. She's really tired now.

WHEN she woke up, it's already dark outside. She confirmed it when she peak at the large window. The curtains is even dancing because of the cold wind.

She decided to call a room service for her dinner.

"Thank you!" she said at guy who served her food.

The food is tasty that's why it didn't take her long to finish all of it. It's seafood that's why. She suddeny miss her mother who's currently in province. Her mother is a good cook that it reminds her the food right now. She really missed her because they rarely see each other in a year.

She suddenly thought of calling her when she's done eating.  She searched for her phone and found it inside her small pouch along side with her travelling bag. She tapped her mother's number on her contact list. It didn't took her long before her mother finally answered it.

"Amara Louise Lexecavriah!" her mother shouted at the other line. "You're making me worried! Why are you calling just now?!"

Amara can't help but to let out a giggle. She immediately recognized the voice of the person from the other line. It was no other than Maylene, her childhood friend in the province. Maylene is with her mother and Amara is really thankful because of that since her mother is not alone.

 "You miss me too much, Maylene," Amara teased her.

"Yes, you're right! I miss you too much especially your mother, of course!"

"Maylene, is that Amara? Can I talk her?"

Amara gasped when she recognized her mother's voice at the other line. She can't help but to get teary eyed.

"Yes, mother! It's your daughter!"

"I want to talk to her!" she heard her mother said impatiently. "Hello, Amara?"

"M-Ma.." Amara's lips trembled because of the tears that is forming around her eyes. She suddenly remember everything that happened this past few days. She wants to tell her the break up between her and Alex but she doesn't have the energy to say it.

 Her mother knows about her relationship with Alex but she hasn't introduced him in person yet because of her schedule and sometimes, Alex is really busy.

She suddenly wants to tell everything to her mom but she don't want to worry her. She know her mother really well. She easily got nervous and she doesn't want that to happen.

 "How are you, my daughter? Are you fine there?"

"I'm fine, Ma.."

"What about your boyfriend, Amara? How is he? When will I meet him? I want him to meet him in person, Amara," her mother said.

"S-Soon, Ma. What about you, Mama? How are you?" she dodged her mother's question.

"I'm fine, daughter! Even if Maylene is really making my head ache sometimes! She sometimes act like a pre schooler!"

"Woah, Mama Amalia. Easy there! A pre schooler? I behave like a prim and proper princess, Mama Amalia!" Maylene said on the other line.

"Oh, no! Mama, you might forget that you still have a daughter here, huh! I am your daughter, not Maylene!" she kidded. She heard her mother's laugh.

Oh, the sound of mother's laughter is like a music to her ears.

That night, she slept with a contented smile on her lips.

ON THE side, the man's eyes turned into slit while staring at the surrounding. He could feel the movement of the wind and the leaves. Even the animals on the woods are clear in his eyes despite the darkness of the place.

He stared at the moon from above as he sip on his glass filled with red liquid. He closed his eyes and feel the coldness of the wind and smirk as he licked the liquid that stain the side of her lips. The smell of the liquid is so fragrant that it filled the whole room. It's really tempting.

But his smirk immediately fade when he remembered something. His gripped on the glass tightened that he even heard the sound of her knuckled clenched in anger. He suddenly felt livid because of the witch said to him awhile ago.

"She's coming.." The woman said in front of him. She's wearing a black dress that  reached her knees and a red scarf that is placed neatly on her neck.

"Who?" he asked but confusion is evident in his voice. His brows are now furrowed.

"She's different. She got a big role on your life," the mysterious woman added seriously. "I don't even know why... why and how is she able to go here?"

"Quit saying bullshits. We both know that no one can ever reached this damn mansion. You're the only one who's able to reach this place. You stop what you're saying because I might do something we'll both regret in the end," he said with a threatening voice.

"We both know really well that sometimes I easily get confuse on the future I'm seeing! You know that! But this time, I'm sure about it!"

The man didn't utter a word. How could he believe her when it's been years already yet no one is able to reach the top of the mountain where he's living in. It's really hard to believe her.

"You should believe her! That woman is--"

"Woman?"

"Yes! A woman but... you should be careful," she seriously said again. "That woman will bring a big obstacle in your life but... she might be the key of your freedom in this mountain, Helios.."

"When will she come?" he asked, getting interested all of a sudden on what this witch is saying.

"On this coming full moon..."

HE CLOSED his eyes a bit and when he opened it again, it turns into color red. It was like it's flaming because of the deep color of it. He stared at the sky full of stars scattered around the not so full moon.

Like the moon from above, the mysterious woman said is bugging his mind.

"Full moon, huh? Let's see if that fucking witch is not bluffing."

The glass he's holding broke down because of his tight grip around it. He didn't even notice it not until the red liquid stream down on the cold floor and his fangs grew longer on his teeth.