Chapter 4

Flashback

Monte Rio, CA

A black car drove through a desolate road. On the right and left are full of dense and lush forest trees. Inside the car, Anne, sitting next to Jack, is feeling anxious. Jack who was driving the car glanced at Anne who was squeezing the hem of her dress.

"It's okay, everything will be fine." Jack tried to calm Anne down, as if he knew what was going through her mind.

"I'm scared," she said hesitantly.

"Me too."

"Really?"

Seeing the expression on Anne's face, which looked very curious, made Jack laugh out loud. Anne who saw that was annoyed and hit him.

"Hey, hey, stop it! Hahaha!"

Anne stopped hitting Jack and looked away. For Jack, his best friend looked quite adorable. Jack and Anne had been friends since high school, but they went their separate ways after graduating from college and met again just a few months ago.

Jack and Anne have the same hobby in music, although they have different talents. Jack is talented in musical instruments, while Anne is talented in singing. It's a perfect match!

They have created 2 songs together.

Jack and Anne have also sent them to several music studios. Unfortunately, until now they have not received any good news. Anne really hopes that one day she can become a famous singer who can tour around the world. Jack, her best friend, always supported Anne.

Until that day, Jack came to Anne's apartment during a heavy rain with lightning. Jack found Anne curled up on the bed crying and hugging her knees. Anne was on the cusp of despair. She had given up on her dream of becoming a famous singer. Jack calmed her down and tried to encourage her, but to no avail. Anne continued to cry and despair. Until finally Jack offered something. Something that could make Anne grasp the success she wanted quickly. Something big. And something that Anne would regret for the rest of her life.

"Is it still far?" Anne squeezed the hem of her shirt anxiously.

Jack stopped the car at the side of the road, " Here we are. Come on!"

Anne and Jack got out of the car. Anne looked around. Only the road looked bright because of the lights. On the right and left side, the forest was black and dark.

"Come on!" Jack took Anne's hand and turned on the flashlight.

They walked across a path that was almost invisible. They walked accompanied by the sound of night birds that sounded creepy. Anne didn't dare to make a sound at all, even just to satisfy the curiosity in her heart full of thousands of questions to Jack.

About five to ten minutes into the walk, Anne could see a speck of light in the distance. She could guess that they were getting closer. Anne still didn't want to let go of Jack's hand even though she knew they would arrive.

"There it is! We're getting close," Jack said.

Anne only replied to Jack's words with a glimpse of a smile.

Out of Anne's expectation, when they arrived, it turned out that they were not alone. There were about twenty people there. Instead of feeling happy and safe, Anne felt scared and wanted to run away. The reason was because those people wore black robes with pointed hoods that almost covered half of their faces. From their posture, Anne could guess that they were men and women.

Lighting torches were planted all around them. And the center of Anne's attention was a giant stone in the shape of an owl.

Jack could feel Anne's trembling hands. He stroked her delicate fingers, and tried to calm her down.

"Where are we? Who are they?" asked Anne in a trembling voice.

"This is Bohemia Groves."

"What? What's that?!"

A middle-aged man in the same robe but red in color came out from behind a rock.

"Welcome my sons! We have been waiting for you two to arrive."

Anne looked at the man and then Jack questioningly.

"Greetings, Father. Thank you for receiving us."

The man called Father smiled, "You always have a home here."

"Thank you. And this is Anne Stewart, Father. The girl I told you about."

"Oh, so you're Anne. Jack has told me a bit about you."

Anne smiled awkwardly, "Hi.... Father."

"Anne this is Father Miguel Veloso. He's going to help us."

"Jack, I don't understand why we're here!"

"Oh, no no. Don't worry, sweetheart. Jack already told me about your dream. Please, come with me."

Jack and Anne followed Father Miguel behind the rock of Bohemia Groves. Father and Jack explained everything. That their sect could help Anne become a famous singer. Father even mentioned some names of singers who were part of their sect. Father showed her pictures of them holding secret meetings. Anne was surprised, one of her favorite artists was there!

Not only that, even some politicians and owners of big companies were part of their sect. Father said that there was nothing to sacrifice here. The goal of their sect is to rule the world with Lucifer as God. Jack added that only certain people were aware of the sect's existence. Rumors about their existence had been spread for a long time, but no one could prove that they existed.

Anne was skeptical. She thought that this was going too far. But then Jack reassured her. Helping Anne reconstruct her dreams, about her life of suffering, about having a solo album, and about touring the world. Anne was silent for a while, before she finally .... agreed.

Anne was brought to the center of a circle of pentagrams and triangular eye symbols as a form of occultism. All the people wearing black robes stood around Anne who was in the center of the circle, and Father who was holding a book was outside of it. As for Jack, he stood some distance away from all of them.

Father asked Anne to needle the tip of her index finger and put the dripping blood into a small bowl of water. Father then recited spell after spell, and was greeted by the sect members who repeated the incantation while raising their hands and walking around them. A moment later, Anne felt that her head was hurting terribly. She couldn't help it and screamed out loud. Her eyes began to turn white and blood came out of her nose. Anne looked up and grinned horribly. For a moment Anne's face took on the appearance of a demon, which it wasn't her.

After returning from Bohemian Grove, Anne's life changed 100%. It was as if a streak of good fortune had been relentlessly coming her way. Three famous record companies offered contracts for Anne and Jack's songs. They managed to release their first album under Harmony Haven Productions, a giant music company across the United States. Since then, many media outlets have highlighted Anne and Jack. From their careers to their personal lives. Even the fan market believed that Anne and Jack were actually in a backstreet relationship behind their careers, however, Jack and Anne said that it was completely false. Anne has truly transformed into a classy female singer, with fantastic fees for every performance. She also often attends famous talk shows in the United States and other developed countries. Whatever she wears is always in the spotlight and trending among her fans of all ages.

Tonight, Jack invites Anne to attend an illuminati congregation meeting. This was Anne's first congregation meeting after the ritual at Bohemian Grove. Jack asked Anne to wear an exclusive dress made by the famous fashion designer, Holden Smith. She also wore a fiery red ruby jewelry around her neck that made her look beautiful and classy.

Unexpectedly, Anne thought that maybe Jack would take her back to the Bohemian Grove or maybe the stuffy caves in the forest. But she was wrong, Jack was taking her to a penthouse!

Yes, a penthouse!

But that's not what surprised Anne the most. Anne felt almost faint when she saw a bunch of famous celebrities that she could only see on television, radio, and magazines, now she could see and hear them all in person in the banquet hall. Not only that, but billionaires, politicians, and a number of famous artists were also among them. Anne had no idea that they were also into this sect.

Jack greeted them as if he had known them for a long time, Jack did not forget to introduce Anne to them. Anne awkwardly introduced herself and tried to be as elegant as possible. She didn't want to look nervous or embarrassed.

When the Gourmet Feast arrived, all the guests were invited to sit in front of a large long table. Father Miguel took Anne's hand gently and introduced her as a new member of their sect. Anne was very happy and honored by the welcome, and what she found out was that Jack had joined not too long ago. Everyone clapped happily, Father raised the champagne and everyone made a toast for Anne.

Anne was back in her chair. The waiters dressed in white uniforms together served one plate each to the guests. The dishes were covered with aluminum covers. Anne couldn't guess what was inside, but whatever it was it was sure to be delicious. Considering she was very hungry. Father invited them to open the dishes. Just as the lid was opened, Anne almost screamed out loud, but then she managed to hold it in and ended up with a loud gasp. Anne covered her mouth with both hands. She refrained from crying. Jack, who was beside her, understood what Anne was going through, because this also happened to him at the first banquet. Anne's tears fell. On her plate was ....

A human head with a chef's hat on it.