I'm exhausted right now. Traveling on a road similar to that motocross track for nearly twenty hours. Although there appeared to be puddles of mud occasionally, our car never became stuck in one. But now that we were in the village and staying at a local's house, I could breathe a little easier."Looks like Rafe's arranged for someone to take care of us," I muttered to myself, surprised but relieved to know our accommodation was sorted.The village is lovely, but naturally, there aren't any hotels there. Initially, I had assumed that Rafe and I would spend a month camping in the middle of the forest.The elderly woman approached me and inquired, "Have you had anything to eat yet, dear?" Her translator relayed her words with a warm tone.Though sometimes a person's expression conveys more information than words can, I was unable to understand what she was saying.Watching the translator, I nodded and thought, "So that's what she's saying."Yes, this device was different from others. I
My curiosity was again piqued by this young girl. I took a seat beside her after getting closer to her."Could you share the wolf legend with me?" I asked, seeing no harm in learning more about it."It's about the chained wolf, a legend in our village."The girl had transformed her coconut shell into a cauldron and packed all the leaves inside.Even though this little girl had just told me that sad thing a moment ago, she seemed happy, even a little excited.She began, "Long ago, there was a couple, very much in love." Her storytelling was surprisingly mature for her age."And what happened to them?""They weren't allowed to be together. And, it turned out the man was a werewolf."I learned so much from the girl. It sounded like a typical fairy tale, but I sensed some significant nuances.Like in a classic romance, the two young lovers were torn apart. Two human beings destined to be separated.But this tale was different, with its taboos and vows. The woman made a mistake, feeding th
I followed the little girl down a road lined with tall grass. The girl stated that she wished to accompany me to her parents' grave.The bushes crunched beneath our feet, and the earthy scent of leaves filled the air.As we approached a small field, I noticed two simple earthen mounds adorned with wildflowers. This was without a doubt the tomb in question."Has someone been looking after this grave?" I inquired, noticing the meticulously tended mounds.Although it was surrounded by tall bushes, it appeared to be almost completely devoid of grass in the tomb area.The girl nodded, her eyes gleaming with pride. The girl appeared to be acclimating to life without her parents, though nostalgia lingered in her mind."I keep it clean," she explained, her voice tinged with responsibility. For some reason, I had the impression that this girl was always putting on a brave face.I approached one of the graves with mixed feelings.The little girl trailed behind, clutching a bamboo bottle in her
Today's night air was pleasant, while a little chilly, but I was content to sit outside. Rafe was now sitting next to me, looking up at the sky.- So, what are our plans for tomorrow? Rafe turned to me after a long stare at the sky when I asked him."We'll start exploring tomorrow, maybe until sunset," he said.I knew he didn't want to waste time, and our main goal was to learn about the legend of the chained wolf.- Are there any other hints as to what we might find? - I inquired, my curiosity getting the best of me.His eyes reflected in the dim porch light as he shook his head. - Nothing, i don't have any clue about that.We were now looking for a needle in a haystack, and to make matters worse, we had no idea what kind of needle we were looking for.Everything was quiet, but a faint rustling drew my attention. It was subtle, but out of place in the dark.I looked at Rafe, who seemed to be hearing it as well."Did you hear that?" he asked quietly."Yes," I replied, my senses height
The thicker the leaves of the trees became as we went deeper into the forest. It was also a little dark, as the dense foliage seemed to block some of the light."Why is it suddenly cold?" I was perplexed as to why the temperature seemed to drop as we got deeper into the forest."Looks like it's starting to cloud up," Rafe observed as he scanned the sky. Rafe appeared to be peering through the dense foliage above us.I nodded, thinking that it was also the cause of the cold wind. It appeared that it would rain in this Borneo forest.- I'm hoping it doesn't rain.I just hope it doesn't rain because that would ruin everything.I'm not a fan of the cold, and I don't think rain in the jungle would be a pleasant experience.A sudden rustle cut into our conversation.I've been startled by strange sounds far too frequently recently, which makes me even more cautious.A shiver of fear gripped me as I froze. Rafe's hand came into contact with mine, his grip firm but reassuring. "Keep calm," he
When I looked up at the sky, it appeared to be getting darker. This signaled the arrival of a storm as well as the arrival of rain.And, indeed, it was pouring heavily. When I tugged on Rafe's sleeve, he turned to face me."Where should we go?"We were now in the woods, and our options for shelter were limited. Furthermore, I had no experience with wilderness survival."We'll take shelter there," Rafe said, indicating a large tree."Eh?"I was taken aback when Rafe suddenly pulled out an umbrella and shaded me. In addition to his usual annoying nature, this guy can be gentle at times.When we got close to the tree, Rafe quickly set up a makeshift tent out of plastic rollers tied to the tree's long branches, creating a sort of rain barrier."You should put on a raincoat," he suggested, his expert gaze scanning the surroundings.I nodded and took out my raincoat, grateful for the extra layer of protection against the relentless rain.The only sound in the silent forest was the sound of
It was pouring heavily in the forest, and the young man named Faghri had a frustrated expression on his face. Faghri was becoming increasingly frustrated as raindrops soaked his jacket. "I never expected the terrain to be this difficult," he grumbled to himself, recalling his mission to find a new source of petroleum, a task that now seemed futile in the midst of his confusion. "I need to find shelter," Faghri said again, and his gaze was drawn to a rather unusual location nearby. When it was opened, it revealed the lip of a large cave shrouded in vines. The thick darkness of the cave enveloped him inside. Faghri fumbled with his flashlight, revealing the rough stone walls through the darkness. "I hope there's no danger here," Faghri reflected once more. His hopes were quickly dashed when a cacophony of terrifying growls echoed throughout the cave. As three large wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes glittered in the torchlight, Faghri's heart skipped a beat. Faghri r
The absence of the wolf he had encountered earlier was the first thing Faghri noticed as he emerged from the cave's dark depths.The tropical forest's thick, humid air clung to him, a stark contrast to the cool darkness he had just left behind.He couldn't help but speak his thoughts out loud, squinting in the sunlight."Why are there wolves in such a tropical place?" - he reflected, surprised.The surrounding jungle was lush and alive with life, making it an unusual environment for such creatures.He experienced an unexplainable surge of anxiety."Something's wrong," muttered Faghri, his instincts on high alert.He scanned the dense foliage around him, sensing more than just the dangers lurking within.Faghri emerged from the cave area, relieved but alert, to find a surprising discovery.Three wolves crouched in the bushes, their fur blending in with the undergrowth, staring at him intently.Their presence was both unexpected and frightening.Faghri turned and fled without a second t
"You know, Miss Luna has made significant contributions to the rural communities of Borneo by establishing numerous educational institutions," is a statement that captures the essence of local discussions. Luna's charitable efforts, known throughout the region, have had a significant impact on this large Asian island.In her own words during an interview, Luna expressed her desire to give back to the community that has supported her, saying, "My life has been greatly enriched by the people here, and I feel compelled to return their kindness. Luna's motivations go beyond this singular sentiment, however.Known for orchestrating various charitable activities, Luna has a reputation for building not only schools but also hospitals and actively participating in various humanitarian endeavors.A recent event illustrates her prominence: a throng of journalists gathered around her, each eager to ask their pressing questions. In the midst of the crowd, one reporter took the opportunity to ask
The long awaited day has finally arrived. Today is the wedding of the son of the richest man, a prominent business tycoon. The atmosphere is one of joy and celebration, enhanced by a clear, sunny sky that seems to bless the couple's union.As they stand before their loved ones, Rafe looks lovingly into Luna's eyes and vows, "I accept your love and promise to love you for the rest of my life. Their love, pure and strong, resonates with everyone in the room.The crowd erupts in cheers as they witness this sacred bond being formed. But amidst the jubilant atmosphere, a lone figure stands in a corner of the party room, tears streaming down his face.Recognizing him, Luna calls out, "Faghri," but quickly corrects herself with a respectful tone, "Ah, I mean Mr. President. Her smile is bright and inviting.Faghri, overwhelmed with emotion, returns Luna's smile sincerely, his tears a testament to the depth of his feelings on this momentous occasion.It was obvious that Faghri still harbored s
We visited my grandmother's grave and found the place unkempt. As Rafe had mentioned, her grave had remained intact, contradicting my belief that it had been torn down due to the surrounding new construction."Luna, come on," Rafe urged, leading me to the cemetery.I grabbed some tools and started clearing the overgrown grass."Why hasn't this cemetery been torn down?" I asked, aware of the ruthless business tactics often employed these days, where even homes are not spared for the sake of profit."The company that owns the adjacent property is having financial difficulties," Rafe informed me.Then he added, "I plan to buy all that land," leaving me stunned."Thank you," I said, realizing that expressing gratitude had become a habit for me. I truly appreciated all that he had done.After tending to the grave, Rafe and I decided to dine at a nearby restaurant. Its simple charm was refreshing, a reminder of how much I missed such unpretentious places.Having spent the past month indulgi
I never thought it would end. The last few months have been really exhausting for me and I'm glad they're finally over."Luna, what are you going to wear?" Rafe asked as he approached me with a group of people behind him. They seemed to be famous fashion designers."What do you think would look good on me?" I replied, bringing out Rafe's playful side."Anything looks good on you, Luna," he flirted, earning nothing more than a playful flick of my tongue in return. Rafe laughed heartily, his demeanor so different from before.He seemed much more alive and approachable now, almost like a new person."Did you hear about Faghri? He's going to run for president," Rafe announced, taking me completely by surprise. Faghri, once notorious for his ruthless ways, had transformed himself into a respectable figure, and now he was eyeing the presidency."Rafe, you're serious, aren't you?" I asked, looking for confirmation in his expression. He nodded solemnly, confirming the surprising news."I'm se
That morning, the shocking news reverberated across all media platforms, sending waves of disbelief around the world. Television programs, newspapers, and online outlets all carried the same headline: "Assassination at the President's Office: President Etas fatally shot by trusted aide". The uniformity of the reports, which all followed the same chronology, was striking, with not a single source challenging the narrative of President Etas' untimely demise.In stark contrast to this grim news, a more personal story was unfolding in an old but grand home. Here, Rafe and Aline were seen in a tender embrace, their affection evident in front of Rafe's parents. The atmosphere was one of familial warmth and impending change."Rafe, have you decided who you are going to marry?" inquired Rafe's father, a hint of expectation in his voice. Rafe's answer was a nod, followed by a frank admission, "Legally, I am married to Luna. But in matters of the heart, not yet." His words revealed a complicate
The presidential palace was eerily quiet that day, a stark contrast to the tightly secured perimeter outside. Inside, however, the atmosphere in the President's private chamber was anything but calm.Aline's father, the President, was visibly seething with rage. His face was contorted with rage, the veins on his neck were pronounced, and his body tensed as if ready to spring into action. The anger inside him had reached a boiling point."Bastards! I'll kill them all," he roared, the words thick with raw emotion.The tragic death of his daughter Aline had devastated him. Ironically, he had denied her Secret Service protection out of respect for her wishes to engage in something illegal, a decision he now bitterly regretted."I swear, everyone involved will pay," he bellowed, his tone dripping with vehemence.In a fit of desperation, he threw a paper across his desk, his demeanor mirroring that of someone lost in a terrifying episode of unbridled madness.At that moment, there was a ten
On the other side of the picturesque park where love once blossomed, next to a quiet street, Faghri sat alone, lost in thought."It seems I took too long to realize it," he murmured to himself, reflecting on his past mistakes.It was a moment of deep regret for Poria. He lamented that he had not met Luna earlier and thought about a different fate."If I had met Luna earlier, would I have been the one she loved?" Faghri wondered aloud.He sat brooding in solitude, struggling with a fate that seemed inexplicable and unfair."Never mind," he finally sighed, trying to accept what he couldn't change.As tears trickled down his cheeks, Faghri quickly wiped them away, trying to regain his composure.Looking back, he noticed that Luna and Rafe had returned. They seemed to have reconciled and returned to normal. Faghri watched them, a mixture of relief and sadness in his heart."How was it? Was the curse finally lifted?" asked Faghri, trying to maintain a calm and undisturbed demeanor regardin
Luna chased Rafe to the edge of the highway, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. Rafe stood dangerously close to the edge, his eyes a lifeless gray that reflected his apparent resignation to ending his life."Rafe!" Luna's voice broke through the tense air, a mixture of fear and relief coloring her tone.Rafe turned, his expression one of disbelief. "Why are you here?" he asked, his words laced with disbelief.Without a word, Luna delivered a powerful punch to Rafe's cheek, leaving him momentarily stunned. Her voice, trembling with a cocktail of emotions, scolded him, "What's the point of us surviving all this time if you're just going to throw your life away?"As Rafe looked at her, his eyes changed, darkening with a resurgence of hatred. "Luna...go away. I don't want to kill you," he said softly, his voice strained with the effort of suppressing his darker impulses.It was all because of the Alpha Oath that Rafe harbored a deep-seated desire for revenge agai
I opened the letter Faghri had just given me. It was a letter written directly from Rafe, who was nowhere to be found.**To Luna,I know I've caused you a lot of trouble. I selfishly planned to save us both from this terrible fate, but now I realize that may not be possible. It seems that one of us must make a sacrifice, and I have chosen to be the one to do so.Luna, perhaps we will meet again in our next reincarnation, hopefully free of this curse. Before I met you, I lived a lonely life, but your presence brought color to my world.For you, Luna, I cannot break the Alpha Oath. After Aline's death, my desire for revenge has grown. I am torn between wanting to hurt you and loving you.You no longer need to look for me. If my father asks, please give him this letter. I do not want to bring suffering to anyone, so I have decided to end my life.I believe the waves will take me to the next life.Thank you, Luna.**The message ended with my heart racing wildly. This message was a clear