Avery and Janet stopped at a range of caves at the corner of the island. They didn’t intentionally mean to come there, but their walk had slowly led them to the destination.“Do you think this is the range of caves Khama was talking about?”Janet turned to Avery. Avery wasn’t entirely sure, and she didn’t even know the gears that were turning in her head were up for anything good, but she knew there was only one way to know.“I have no idea. But how about we go inside and see if this is the place that certain black magic started?"Janet laughed as she shook her head.“Do you really believe the cause of this is black magic?”She asked as they entered the caves.“Do I look like a stupid to you?”Avery questioned back with a mock gasp, and Janet smacked her in the arm.“Don’t be such a smarty mouth. I’m a person who believes in superstitions. So this isn’t impossible for me.”“Honestly? Do you wanna know my opinion?”“Shoot.”Janet said as she held Avery’s arm tightly right when a bat fl
Avery and Janet were panting heavily when they came out of the caves. Avery looked back at the entrance that led to the darkness. She was sure someone else was in there with them.“What the heck was that? Possibly not a ghost, was it?”Janet asked, looking back as well.“Whatever it was, I think we dodged a bullet. One more minute inside there, we would be murdered in cold blood.”Avery’s hands were trembling, but Janet held them in assurance.“I know what you’re thinking, and I know you’re right. We need to be careful. Just calm down now.”She said with a little smile despite trembling herself. That made Avery grin.“Look who is braver now.”“But you were the bravest when you pulled my hand and ran out. All I could feel was my knees going weak when I heard that sound.”“That proves not everyone has to be brave all the time. It’s okay to run and be scared at times.”Avery squeezed Janet’s hand as Janet looked at her gratefully.“We better go where everyone is. I don’t feel safe anymor
“Good thing he brought your phone back.”Andy commented as they finished drinking and placed their cups on the counter of the little booth. Avery just nodded awkwardly, her heart still beating from what had happened earlier.That man’s smirk was eerie. He knew very well Avery recognized him, and he knew precisely when Avery found his piece of cloth. That smirk was a warning. A warning that said he knew and she should be careful.“Caden. I need to speak with you.”She turned to him at once, thinking it was better to let him know about everything just when one of their colleagues came running to them.“Sir, Lara is here from the hospital, and the retreat is about to start.”Their eyes lit up at the mention of Lara, and Avery totally forgot about what she was going to say.“Is it something that can wait?”Caden turned to Avery as he spoke, his voice eager, and Avery nodded.“Let’s meet Lara first.”They hurried after the colleague who led them to the woman.“Oh, Lara.”Caden hugged her i
Avery was about to call Caden’s name when he disappeared into the cottages. Assuming it might not also be the best option to call his name as it seemed like Caden was being secretive, Avery just kept walking in the direction he disappeared.But only once she walked into the middle of the cottages, she realized how stupid she had been. These cottages were not the ones the islanders lived in, but more like the abandoned ones.She could feel the creepiness crawling into her mind as the atmosphere was a dead silence. There was not even the sound of a cricket. She was too far from any civilian, and even if something happened, there wouldn’t be anyone to help her.While she walked, she recognized a glass building in the distance. Her eyes squinted, trying to figure out what it was as she walked towards it.The chilly breeze coming from the sea at night sent shivers down her spine, and she took out her phone to use the torch, only to realize the battery was dead.“Dammit.”She cursed as she
“They probably won’t set this on fire, would they?”Avery asked, making Caden chuckle nervously. They were walking deeper into the greenhouse, taking soft steps forward.“As much as you make sense, I would rather believe they won’t. The greenhouse can be seen on the beach, and if this is on fire, everyone there will rush here. Won’t do any good by gaining attention to their hideous places."“Mm... true. At least we won’t be dead. Even if they come tomorrow and free us pretending we just got trapped here by an accident and ask us questions, there isn’t much we know, anyway.”“Exactly. So..."Caden turned to Avery and interlocked his fingers with hers.“... don’t worry too much.”Avery nodded with a smile. She was feeling warm as Caden was worrying about her. All throughout her lifetime, no one really cared about her.She had an older brother, and he took his bachelors in marketing, and then he did his Masters. Her brother then got a white-collar job and ran up to an executive post, whi
The two shadows lingered longer than they should have. If they were to open the door, they would have already.Avery and Caden looked at each other, puzzled, before their eyes widened. It could be some locals passing by, and they might be able to help them out!Avery and Caden rushed out from behind the tree and started to walk towards the door. They were cautious and ready to run at any time, but taking the risk was worth more than staying an entire night in a greenhouse, which might be set on fire anytime.But as they walked closer, two familiar voices filled in their ears.“Andy?”“Janet?”Caden and Avery said simultaneously before they looked at each other, happiness overflowing. It was really them!“I’m sure they are somewhere around. I saw them coming in this direction clearly.”“You sure you’re not drunk and imagining things? Why would Caden and Avery even be at this eerie place?"Janet rebuked, but just then, Caden banged on the door.“Ah!”“Fuck!”Janet and Andy cursed as the
Avery, Caden, Janet, and Andy stood on the soft, golden sands of the beach. Waves lazily crashed onto the shore, creating a calming music of nature. The sun had only begun to rise, and long shadows extended up to them, who were huddled together as the sea breeze of morning was chilly.All of them were waiting for Agent Minho and his team to arrive. Yesterday, when Caden called Minho, an old friend that he befriended while handling a crime case at the company, Minho had agreed to help him at once. Apparently, Minho and his team were on a break after a mission so they could easily come and help Caden out.Caden, whose frame glowed to the morning sunlight that bathed him, checked his wristwatch. It was about time Minho and his team landed. Caden was sure Minho could get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping him and Avery intact from harm. And he was finally meeting his old friend after a long time. Anticipation was real.“How long do you think it will take for them to come here?”J
It was past twelve midnight and Avery couldn’t sleep. She was just too worried about everything that was happening and she felt like if she slept, she wouldn’t live to wake up the next day. The deaths and the threats. Everything lingered in her mind.“This won’t work,” Avery huffed as she kicked the sheets away as she wore up from the bed and went to fetch a glass of water.She grabbed the glass and walked to the window. The sea waves crashed on the beach while a dark figure drew to a distant toward the direction of the greenhouse. Avery’s eyes squinted. She placed the glass of water on the ledge of the window and walked to her bedside drawer.She picked up her phone and dialed Caden’s number. Three rings, and Caden mumbled.“Avery, hi. Is everything all right?” his voice was so full of concern that Avery felt as if a warm liquid was filling her body. Caden just woke up from his sleep, but his first instinct was to worry about her.“So, um... I don’t know if this will be any use, but