"And the forest remained in peace… The end."
Finally, I'm done with my homework! Why did the teacher make us write a story anyway?
I'm not into this kind of thing. I don't even read books! Damn it. But it's fine now — I finished it before the deadline.
"Sali! Come downstairs this instant!"
That's my mom. Maybe she needs help with her phone again. She's not tech-savvy and still figuring out how to use new stuff.
"Coming!"
I walked downstairs to see what she wanted. She was cooking dinner. Maybe she wanted me to run errands — not help with her phone after all.
"Go buy some salt, we ran out."
"Can I keep the change?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just hurry up or else tonight's dinner will be flavorless."
She handed me the money, and I smiled as I walked out the door. Of course — who wouldn't be happy when they get to keep the change?
I bought the salt like she asked. On the way back home, I passed by an old lady selling books. I know I'm not into reading, and my mom said to hurry, but something caught my eye.
I walked toward her stall. One of the books had no title, no cover art — just a plain maroon binding.
"Did that book catch your interest?"
The old lady asked. I guess I was staring at it for too long.
Would it hurt to read something like this?
"How much is this book?"
"You have a good eye. That book is the only one of its kind in the world."
What?
The only one in the world? This plain, dull-looking thing?
"How much? I'll buy it."
"Since you chose it, I'll give it to you for free. A lot of people passed by, but you're the only one who noticed it."
The only one, huh… Can't blame people. I mean, why would they want this kind of book? Why would I?
Even so, I accepted it. Free stuff is free stuff, right?
---
"Where have you been!?"
Right… the salt. I almost forgot. Damn it.
"Sorry! The line was long — took me more than ten minutes to buy it."
I made up an excuse. Mom seemed to believe it. I handed her the salt, she tossed it into the pot, and that was that. After dinner, I headed to my room.
I glanced at the clock. Too early to sleep.
Then I remembered the book.
It would be a waste not to read it, right?
The book looked so plain. Dull maroon cover. The pages were yellowed with age, and it had that old book smell.
I opened it.
No title page. No author. No genre. Just blank at the front. I flipped to page two, and that's where the actual content began.
"In broad daylight, a girl named Sulistina wandered around her manor's garden."
I read out loud.
It seemed like a novel. A romance one, from the tone of it.
I'm not even into novels, but… I kept reading.
A couple of hours passed. I was halfway through the story. It *was* a romance novel. A typical one, really.
Main character named Sulistina
her two love interests, her childhood friend, Julious, and the crown prince, Lux.
Of course, there was also the villainess — Gloria.
Why was *this* the only book in the world, again? The plot felt so common.
It was already 11 p.m. I was sleepy, so I put the book on my desk and went to bed.
---
The next morning, I woke up groggy.
I barely got any sleep.
Last night, every time I closed my eyes, blurry figures kept appearing in my dreams. I couldn't recognize them. It was weird. I'd never experienced anything like that.
I splashed water on my face, trying to shake it off.
Then I got a text from Clea — my best friend. She wanted to hang out. It had been a while, so I agreed. Luckily, Mom let me go since I was with Clea.
She sent the meet-up location. It was kind of far, but I knew the way. I'd been there a few times. I also found a shortcut recently, and I figured I'd try it.
I put on a baby blue dress with puffy sleeves. White sandals. A little makeup. I like dressing up when I go out — I want to look pretty, obviously.
I grabbed my bag. Just the essentials. Money, makeup, and phone.
...
I didn't realize how sketchy the shortcut would be.
It was a dark alley.
No one around.
Silent enough that no one would hear you scream.
I decided to turn back. But it was too late.
When I turned around, there's two men standing and it feels like they were waiting for me to do something. I took a step away from then when I heard one of them suddenly talk.
"Stop right there, pretty lady."
He had piercings on his nose and lips. Wore a filthy black hoodie and his hands are in his pockets.
"Lost, are you? Going on a date?"
The second guy. No piercings, but with red eyes — like he was high. Hoodie and a beanie.
I didn't utter a word from what they said. I continue to walk away from them when I heard footsteps behind me. They were following me. I got scared and ran off but they immediately caught up fast
The one with piercings grabbed my bag.
The other held me still.
Too strong. I couldn't move.
"Lucky. Money and a phone, pfft."
"This girl's pretty, yeah? Would be a waste to let her go."
My whole body froze by what he said. I know what he'll do to me. I'm so scared so I screamed for help.
"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!"
My voice is loud enough to someone hear it from afar but there's no single person came to rescue me. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I was terrified. So, so terrified.
"It's no use, pretty lady."
Both of them laugh of amusement, seeing me helpless. I know that I can't deal with both of them but if I get away, just a little—maybe there's hope.
I shoved my fear aside and bit down hard on the arm holding me.
"Ouch!"
He screamed because of pain, I bit it deep that there's a blood flowing from where I bit him. He let go of me so I kicked his balls and ran away as far as I can..
But—
A sharp sting in my stomach stopped me.
I looked down and there.. I saw blood.
I forgot… there were two of them.
The second guy stood behind me, holding a knife that was now buried in my back.
So that's why he kept his hand in his pocket earlier… He had a knife.
"Told you… it's no use, pretty lady."
He pulled out his knife from my back and more blood kept flowing out. My head become dizzy and my vision become blurry and that's when I lost onsciousness.
---
Light flickered through my eyelids.
A cool breeze brushed my face.
I felt something soft under my head.
I opened my eyes…
And saw a garden.