Chapter 2

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Ana was on an airplane flying to Alaska. The girl could imagine how Darice would react if she found out about her reckless behavior. Darice would definitely get angry and sulk at her. But Ana would think about that later. Now she had to focus on Prof. Adams' assignment.

"Excuse me, Miss. This is food for you." A flight attendant came to give her food. Ana nodded while saying thank you. The girl started eating her food.

After she finished eating, the flight attendant came back to clean up the table. Ana decided to sleep until she reached her destination.

Ana didn't remember how long she slept but a few moments ago the flight attendant woke her up to put on her seat belt because the plane was about to land. Ana stared out the airplane window at the lights of the building not far from the international airport. Ana had arrived in Alaska at midnight because she wanted to rest and continue her research when morning came.

Not long after, the plane landed smoothly. The passengers got out one by one. Ana got out quickly and took her suitcase because she was afraid that the hotel staff would wait a long time. Ana pulled the suitcase and walked to the waiting room. Ana looked at the people waiting and then looked for the hotel clerk where she was staying.

Ana's eyes were busy looking then staring at the paper with her name on it. Ana approached a man in his mid-twenties.

"Are you Miss Anarisa Fayre Lucine?" The hotel concierge asked as Ana approached.

Ana nodded. "Let me introduce myself, I'm Bill, the hotel concierge who will escort you to the hotel." Bill reached out his hand for an introduction. Ana immediately shook Bill's hand. "Follow me, Miss." Bill walked first and Ana followed behind.

They walked out of the airport to the car park. Ana handed the suitcase to Bill. He put the suitcase into the trunk. It wasn't long before they started to drive to the hotel.

"If I may know where Miss Ana is going tomorrow morning?" Bill asked. "So that the hotel can prepare your vehicle." Bill quickly continued his sentence when he saw Ana looking at him confused through the rearview mirror.

"I will be going alone." Ana replied politely.

"If you want to visit the tourist attractions I recommend using the hotel's vehicle, Miss." Bill spoke again.

"I am not on vacation and may I ask to be addressed by my name only?" Ana said with a smile. "And it seems that we are not that far apart in age."

Bill nodded. "If you're not on vacation, are you visiting family?"

"I'm doing research for my final project." Ana answered while looking around the street. Bill nodded and did not speak again. The man focused on driving. Leaving silence.

"Bill," Ana chose to speak when the car stopped at a red light.

"Yes Ana?" Bill turned his head.

"Do you know of a place where plants are still growing and extinct animals live?" Ana decided to ask, in case Bill knew the place she was looking for.

"If there are still places like that, it means they are not extinct." Bill shook his head.

Ana tapped her forehead inwardly. "I mean a place that might be hidden and no one knows about it." Ana corrected her question.

"There might be. But I don't know the place."

"Do you believe it exists?" Ana asked again.

Bill started the car again as the light turned green. "No one knows, right. Many places in this world are still a mystery and even places that we may know well are not necessarily what they seem."

Ana nodded, talking to Bill was fun. Unlike Darice who thought it was crazy, Bill responded well.

"If I may know, what are you looking for, Ana?"

"Any animal or plant that is considered extinct. Especially the Falkland wolf." Ana said excitedly.

"Falkland wolves?" Bill confirmed.

Ana nodded. "According to the book I read, the wolf exists in this Alaskan forest. That's why I decided to come. Have you ever heard of it?"

Bill was silent for a while while Ana waited for an answer. "I've never heard of it." Bill said in a doubtful tone but Ana didn't pay attention as their car entered the hotel area.

The hotel Ana chose was near a dense forest. Ana gazed at the beautiful hotel building, not wasting her savings.

Bill unloaded the luggage while Ana checked in. Once done, the female hotel clerk and Bill escorted her to Ana's room.

"Let us know if you need anything." The hotel lady said as they arrived at Ana's door. The girl nodded and said thank you. The hotel lady and Bill excused themselves, but before leaving Bill gave her a hint about the forest in the book and a sentence that Ana didn't know what it meant.

"Maybe your destiny is there Ana." Bill's words were still ringing in Ana's head.

The girl didn't think about Bill's words further and decided to take a shower. After finishing the shower Ana immediately fell asleep. Resting so that tomorrow she would have the energy to explore the Alaskan forest.

***

Ana was sitting on a chair facing the large window in the hotel room where she was staying. Her right hand held a brown-bound book while her right hand ate bread for breakfast this morning. She woke up from sleep half an hour ago. After finishing his shower he ordered hotel services.

Coffee steam billowed from the white cup on the table. Ana's eyes were busy reading the book. After reading and getting clues from Bill last night Ana decided to come to the most dense and untouched forest. Although it was dangerous, Ana had a plan.

Just as she was about to take another bite of bread her cell phone rang. Ana decided to put the book on the table and the bread into a plate. The girl stood up to the nightstand near the bed where her cell phone was. Ana removed the phone from the charging case.

Ana sighed before answering the call and put it to her right ear. Only a few seconds later, a loud voice came from the other side.

"YOU'RE CRAZY! YOU WANT TO DIE HUH!"

***