Chapter 7: The Letter

Finally they have reached the place. It was one of the darkest places they have ever come across. The land was dark as night. Air was poised. Atmosphere was filled with green poisonous gas. A few tall trees with a few stems were found. It was like a dark solitary island. It felt like some calamitous events took place there.

The moment they kept their feet on the ground they felt something unusual. It was not normal at all for them. They could feel an evil aura going through their veins while ripping off their skins. 

They walked into the ruinous woods. They were startled on seeing such a dangerous place but deep down they had strength and courage to figure out about Areana’s parents at any cost. So, they have already decided to face what might come after.

The land was creeping them out. Entire place seemed too horrific and terrifying. It felt as if abandoned souls were crawling everywhere they went. They heard someone dragging their feet but nothing was visible. In the entire place weird and grovelling voices were heard. It was very frightening for them to be present there. It was one the scariest places they have ever seen so far.

They sensed the puff of breath on the earlobe or on the back of the neck. It was petrifying for them. The scritch of tree branches was spine-chilling. Not a single leaf of trees was alive. Each and every tree seemed lifeless. Non-stop dragging of feet was heard. They felt bizarre movements into the woods. They kept on looking but nothing was visible to anyone in the distance. Though nothing was visible, they definitely sensed that they were not all alone.

Neither of them said anything to each other about the dreadful place. Soon they started hearing footsteps. When they stop and the sounds of footsteps stop too. Whey walked and the sounds of footsteps were heard again.

They all tried to ignore whatever they were hearing and were feeling. There was no breeze and everything was still as a statue. Entire atmosphere was quiet again. Their throats were parched up. 

They again started hearing some whispers. It felt as if someone was peeking at them. They  started feeling chills on their skin. It was not normal at all. But they were infallible. They kept moving ahead without an error. 

It was dusk already so it was a bit difficult to find the right path. But they kept on searching for the being who was creating all this ruckus without resting. A shadow flickered to their visions. They stopped and tried to figure out what they just saw. 

They were now in the middle of the spooky forest. They saw an eerie green glow in the sky. There was something sinister about the murmuring voices. Suddenly something flew in the sky. At first it was not visible clearly. The moment the fog started to disappear they could see clearly what was in front of them.

They saw an envelope coming to them at a fast pace and it hit Areana’s father. 

He shouted, “Ouch!”

He started bleeding from his eyebrows which startled Ari’s mother.

“Are you alright,” She asked her husband.

“I’m alright, just read out that letter,” he ordered his wife.

Ari’s mother then opened the letter while her hands were shaking on seeing that her husband held her hand indicating that everything is alright and she need not to worry as long as her man is with her.

She then started reading the letter, “It’s been quite long enough that you two have been looking for Arean’a real parents. Why don’t you two give up. She will be an adult soon. Why don’t you try to find a good mate for her rather than wasting your time?”

On reading that Areana’s mother had tears in her eyes while she sat on the ground on her knees hopelessly. Her husband with a bleeding eyebrow sat beside her. 

Ari’s father got angry so he stood up, “Listen, we don't care nor are we scared of anyone. If you are brave enough then why don’t you show yourself in front of us?”

Her parents waited for a bit but there was no voice heard nor anyone showed up in front fo the two. 

Arean’s father spoke again, “Fine, don’t show yourself coward but let me remind you again we aren’t going to give up on our daughter. We will find her real parents no matter what. So mind your own business, why don’t you?”

In a minute another letter was thrown and this time it hit Areana’s mother’s head.

Her father quickly went to her wife in order to read the letter. Before he could read the letter, they heard something. As if someone was running so his father kept the letter inside his pocket and both of them again started chasing the being. 

They kept on chasing until they reached outside the forest. This time also they failed to catch the being who has been chasing Ari’s parents and Ari quite sometime now. Her parents were hopeless and didn’t get a single clue. For them, getting letters was the only hope they got in all those years. Now they wanted to figure out the person who sent the letters and by doing so they might get a chance to get lucky. 

Arena’s father had a long face and he was continuously looking at the sky. He didn’t know what should be done. His wife patted his back gently so that he could be relieved. 

“Honey, it’s ok, one day we will find them, don't worry. I have a gut feeling that this is not the end. So please relax, will you?” She tried to console him. 

“If you say so,” he hugged his wife.

“Why don’t you open the letter and tell what it says,” she insisted as she knew it was the only clue they had.

“Right, let’s see what is written in this letter. I hope we find some clues inside it this time.” He agreed with his wife.

He opened the letter and it said

“It is my business.”