My head is clouded with heavy thoughts. It is not helping me to get a good night's sleep. I was laying on a comfortable bed Hei-ran prepared for me. I can feel the nice fragrance of the wind that passes through the silk curtain. My eyes lay on the vase filled with lavender colour flower buds that are barely bloomed. They slowly dangle with the breeze, it looks magical as the flowers glow a light purple colour. They look so alive.

I turn to the other side facing the open window and cover my body with the thick blanket I was given. It must have been only hours after I got on my flight to Korea and so many things happened already. I heaved a long sigh. My parents must be worried about me. Did they get to know the plane I was in got crashed? did my father inform me about that my mom? or is she still waiting for my arrival? Both of them must be worried sick about me. I am their only child. Will they think that I died because of the plane crash?

Maybe they will...

I shut closed my eyes. I'm stuck here, in nowhere. I don't know anyone here. For these few hours I encountered the weirdest things that I never imagine to see in real life, I thought they only existed in fantasy novels and dramas. Hei-ran explained to me about the creatures Jungkook saved me from. They are called soul snatchers, they are similar to sirens that are mentioned in old fairy tales. Those creatures turn themselves into beautiful women and make people fall for their irresistible looks and soft talks. Soul snatchers feed themselves with the sins of people. They lurk in the darkness in the daytime and come out for haunt at night and feed. They provoke the humans' sins so that they can suck their souls until they drain out their life of them. If it wasn't for Jungkook I would have been bon appetit for those uglies by now. A shiver ran down me as I recall the incident that happened a few hours ago.

Those bloody screeches will haunt me in my dreams forever, I can assure you that.

I realised I fell snoozed out without knowing when I suddenly woke up. The shades of sun rays were barely falling through the window. I stretched my body and sat on my bed after discerning that it was pointless to fall asleep once again. As Jungkook said I will have to leave with him as soon as light mooches the earth with its warmness, waking up the whole world welcoming to a new day. I stepped near the window and inhaled the fresh air.

My priority is to get out of this place, and it should be my only target. Deep inside I felt like I wanted to get to know this place more. I find all these strange things oddly familiar. Maybe it's resembling a story I read back when I was a kid.

I stare far away at the mountain's shades that are shaped like human head. As Hei-ran said, that is where we will be travelling, Kim's residence, the clan that included three brothers and happens to be the most powerful clan among the other clans. She was so eager to feed me with all the information about Hwa but I was exhausted from the day already, so she let me rest until the time to leave which I was willingly wanting for, some time for myself. It's going to be a long journey filled with soul snatchers and all kinds of weird goons running around with flames flashing from their hands or fairies splashing pisky dust on trees like in the Tinkerbell movie. I turned my heel to step away from my cabin. I shriek and tripped backwards as I espy the tall figure standing behind me.

"God damn it, you scared the hell out of me," I clutched my shirt and breathe fast, trying not to let my heart leave its rib cage.

" You are awake." Jungkook's voice talks to me. I nod, " Good, we can leave within an hour" he quietly leaves with no intention to continue a chat with me. As he goes I glanced at the tattoo mark carved on his right arm. A tiger flower, but it is not bloomed, it's only half-thrived. Yesterday when he unleashed his powers that tattoo glimmered blue highlights, but now it looks completely normal, just like a normal tattoo anyone would have.

Maybe his tattoo and his powers are connected, fascinating.

Hei-ran packed both of us some food and drinks that we can use on the way. She hands me an old-fashioned bag pack as same as Jungkook's. Jungkook may seem grumpy and all but he was sweet towards Hei-ran who I was introduced as his guardian.

" I won't be home for a few days," He says as we bid farewell to her. She nods, " Take care young master, " she gazes at him with soft eyes. "Remember to borrow new potions from Young master Park, don't forget that" she advises him like a mom. He chuckles, " I will Hei-ran, now you go and take some rest."

she heaves a sigh, " You know that I am worried about your condition right? I'm worried about you all"

" I know that we will find a solution, and it'll be quick. I promise." she still has doubt drawn on her face. I have no idea what they are talking about. I cluelessly keep staring at both of them. Jungkook holds her hands and gives a light squeeze,

" Namjoon hyung is never wrong, as he said philosophy will become true. The moon illuminated the heart of hwa that night. Our time has come Hei-ran-ah, we will find it somehow" he looks into her eyes with a concerned look. She agrees with a nod and looks at me who was standing dumbfounded. She flashes a genuine grin,

" Take care Y/n,"

We both take our leave. I start following Jungkook from behind. After we got out of sight from Hei-ran he turns to me and grips my wrist. He binds a weird-looking bangle around my wrist and wore the same kind of bangle in his hand. I glance at him,

" Where did you get those matching bangles? you have weird taste in fashion but I appreciate it" He stares at me and hisses as I breathlessly keep talking.  

" What are you blabbering about? this is a chain that will prevent you from running away. You might have won Hei-Ran's heart but you are still an intruder for me. So I should keep a close eye on you" he says while shooting me a piercing glare. I groan as he says. So he's keeping me as his prisoner? What a wonderful reception I received from you Jeon Jungkook...

"It's for your own good, we are going in a path that might not be the most welcoming for guests," he says with a tint of sarcasm painted on his words.

For good, my foot...  I roll my eyes but continue to walk with him.

As we keep walking in the shades, I observe the awakening of the world. I can feel the warm sun rays kissing my body, pouring through the trees. One thing I notice is that the fact that as we stepped away from the village boundary the surrounding gets more chiller than before. The fragrance of the fresh flowers is fading away. I can't  see those flowers anymore. Most of them are withered as we walk deep into the forest. As if the flowers hold onto some energy trapped inside them, the briskness of the environment was gone. A gloomy mist surrounds us.

" Jungkook?" he turns as I call him. "Why is it feeling so lifeless here?" I quired.

" It's the forest of the dead"

"Forest of the dead?" I repeat what he said.

"It's where most of the dead souls live. Some souls that couldn't get an afterlife are trapped here. They moan out their sorrow and keep begging for a new life, a new opportunity," he rubbed his hands to warm them before adding, "Till their sins are paid off for the crimes they have committed those souls will remain in this forest where no one can see them nor hear them" 

His orbs darkened as he says. The chill gave me goosebumps as Jungkook explained. 

" Tragic,"

 I look around with a heavy heart. The howling wind must be the sound of them crying out of agony. "Come on keep moving, you don't want to be a victim of another soul snatcher do you?" I snap out of my thoughts as Jungkook brings me to the real world with his words.

As I start to follow him again, I note something glistening around the bushes. I squint my eyes to get a better version of it. Jungkook is already far ahead of me. But curiosity makes me want to check the odd object. Probably it's something dangerous, but will my curious dumbass will without getting a glimpse of it? Of course not.

I step closer and lean towards the pair of shiny objects. They look like green emeralds. I pace near it to get a better look. To my astonishment, the object starts rising from its level. They stop rising at a moment.

I screech in horror as the face of a white beast merges from the bushes. The sharp white teeth display as it comes out to the surface. I walk backwards with a thumping heart. The beast comes out, making me realize that one word is written in it's face...You are dead Y/n.. In a few moments, your flesh will be torn apart by his white saber teeth,

I petrified by recognizing the creature that I have encountered is a great white tiger. It's white fur are striped by black, the silky fur of the majestic big cat is shining as it expose it's self to the dim light. I can picture myself struggling between its gigantic claws that looks sharp enough to slit my throat just in one go.

This thing is going to be the last thing I will be sighting before I meet with a horrifying death...

Hope everyone is doing safe and fine. I miss you all, I miss my old life and this place where I always found a home.

Love you all as always, hope you haven't forgotten this author

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