C1 Forbidden Forest

A young couple sat in a garden filled with beautifully blooming flowers and enjoying this natural beauty. They were sitting in a long chair facing the garden. Clara Huston rests her head on the broad chest of her lover, Maxy Walter. The wind caresses her face, causing Clara to close her eyes occasionally. The soothing scent of her lover seems to be a sleeping flower for her. Meanwhile, Maxy, noticing that Clara is sleeping on his chest, gently caresses his girl's flawless face. She is getting rid of the hair that hid her beauty.

"Sorry, Max, I fell asleep. It's so cozy in here," Clara said with a blush on her face, so Maxy couldn't resist kissing her. Slowly but surely, he brought his lips closer to the girl's face, a warm and soft peck landing right on Clara's forehead, making the girl's face blush.

"It's already noon. We'd better go home. Besides, I must accompany my mother to buy some clothes for our wedding."

Clara pursed her lips, looking unhappy to hear they had to part while she was still enjoying their time together. Exhaling softly, she finally smiled at the man who always made her feel comfortable beside him. To have a fiancé who was as perfect as Maxy, there wasn't a single woman who didn't think she was a lucky woman.

Maxy Walter was the son of a respected family in their village. Their village was called Tussand. It was a prosperous and peaceful village where all the inhabitants lived in harmony with each other. He was also a man of good looks and unquestionable kindness. He was a romantic and caring man who made Clara fall in love with him.

"I love you," she said, leaving Maxy stunned momentarily before he finally revealed his charming smile.

"I love you more, Clara," he said and hugged her tightly. Then, they hugged each other for a long time.

"You have to take care of your health. Remember, in two months, you will be my wife," whispered Maxy right in Clara's ear when they arrived at her house.

"I should have said those words to you. You're the one who often eats late, you can't be like that. You have to take care of your health," replied the girl with a severe look.

"Okay, I understand. Now come inside," Maxy ordered, which Clara nodded in response. She waved at Maxy just before she stepped into her door.

Inside her house, Clara walked in, occasionally whistling happily, remembering her happiness. Of course, she was pleased, considering that in two months, she would marry the man she loved so much. At first, Clara intended to go to her room. However, she stopped when she passed a room. She abandoned her intention and decided to take a quick look at the condition of the person who owned the room.

She was shocked when she did not find her in her bed. The bed looked messy, indicating that someone had been lying there moments ago. Fear began to creep up on her but faded when she saw the figure sitting in a chair right on the balcony of the room. Smiling briefly, she approached the person.

"Grandma, what are you doing here? Come back and lie down. It's hot in here," she said as she knelt before the person who was none other than her grandmother.

Her grandmother, who still looked beautiful even though she was in her seventh year of life, signalled how meticulous she had been when she was young.

Perhaps Clara's beauty was inherited from her grandmother. Many people who know her grandmother's younger days say that Clara's face resembles hers. Unfortunately, her beautiful grandmother always looked pale and weak due to a disease she had suffered for a long time, so Clara was always worried about her beloved grandmother's condition.

"Whenever I see sunlight, I always think of that person," said the grandmother, whose name was Cleo Huston.

"Hmm, remember who? Grandpa?" Clara started to get interested in the direction of their conversation, which made her think about accompanying her grandmother for a while. Cleo shook her head slowly, her eyes still fixed on the sky.

"If not Grandfather, then who? Maybe Grandma's first love?" At first, Clara had only intended to tease, but Cleo's reaction of a slight smile made her realize that her guess was correct.

"So it was Grandma's first love? Tell me about it, Grandma. I'm so curious," she chirped, holding Cleo's wrinkled hand.

"Only your mother has ever heard this story, so I guess I should tell it to you." Her voice was soft but still clearly audible in Clara's ears. Cleo gently stroked Clara's head, and a feeling of comfort immediately spread through her body; only with this touch could Clara feel how much her grandmother loved her.

"Once… many years ago, when I was your age, this village was visited by a very charming man. I had never seen such a handsome man in my life. His hair was black as night. His irises were red like blood. His skin was white like porcelain. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's. His body was tall, well-built, and athletic as if everything he possessed was a true form of perfection." Cleo stopped her story. Clara swallowed her saliva and began to get excited about her grandmother's story.

"I fell in love with him at first sight. But unfortunately, I couldn't be with him." Cleo lowered her head, sadness in her eyes, which had been sparkling with the story of her first love.

"Why can't you be together? Was Grandma set up so you couldn't be with him?" Clara asked, and Cleo just shook her head.

"He's not human."

Clara was stunned this time, her eyes wide. "Not human. Is he a ghost?" Once again, Clara tried to guess, and for the second time, Cleo just shook her head.

"He's a blood-sucking creature usually called a vampire."

Not only stunned, Clara was now so shocked that she didn't realize she was standing up from where she had been kneeling in front of her grandmother.

"I-I've heard rumors about vampires, but from what I've heard, they are horrible monsters. Their appearance is ugly, and they do not hesitate to kill people."

Cleo smiled slightly. "Well, there is nothing wrong with those rumors. The monster they are talking about are indeed Vampires. Or rather, humans were turned into vampires who couldn't control their thirst for blood, so they turned into killing machines. This man was different. He was a pure-blood, noble vampire whose family members were said to be as beautiful as gods and goddesses. And yes, I believe it after seeing this man, whose looks are unmatched by any human."

Clara knelt in front of her grandmother again and held her grandmother's wrinkled hand.

"He came to this village because it was still part of his territory. At that time, the village chief tried to talk to him and make peace. As a result, an agreement was made. He allowed the villagers to occupy this village, and the forbidden forest became the boundary between this village and his territory. This agreement was quite disadvantageous to the villagers. However, many trees in the forest could be used as a source of livelihood. Many plants and animals can be used as food." Cleo paused again, but the smile on her lips made Clara even more curious to hear the rest of the story.

"That forest became a forbidden forest. No one dared to go near it, especially since there were rumors that the man frequented the forest. I, who was blinded by love, ended up acting recklessly. I often sneaked into the forest with only one purpose to meet him."

"And did Grandma succeed in meeting him?"

Cleo shook her head, and a sad look returned to her face. "Unfortunately, he never appeared before me. I gave up and never went to that forest again. Then I met your grandfather and finally married him. But until now, I always think of that man whenever I see sunlight."

"Why is that, Grandma?"

Cleo smiled before she finally let out her quiet voice again. "Because vampires can't stand sunlight, their skin burns when exposed. That's why they only come out at night."

Clara gave a short "ooh."

"It's a pity that we are not allowed to enter this forest, even though I've heard that plants are growing there that can cure various illnesses."

Who knows how many times Clara was surprised by her grandmother's words. "Is it true that the plant can cure various diseases?" she asked enthusiastically.

"Not only disease but even serious wounds can be healed with this plant."

"What is the name of the plant, Grandma?"

Cleo was stunned as if thinking or perhaps remembering something she had forgotten. "I don't know the name," she replied.

"Then the characteristics of the plant, do Grandma know them?"

"I've heard rumors from the villagers that it's a wonderful flower with deep purple petals and a fragrant scent. Even more fragrant than roses," Cleo explained, which somehow made Clara's eyes light up.

"Never mind. Let's finish this conversation. Grandma wants to go to bed, and you will help your mother prepare dinner."

Suddenly, Clara looked up at the clock on the room's wall, then pursed her lips. "It's only 3:00, Grandma. It's still a long time until dinner. All right, let me help you lie down."

Clara helped Cleo out of her chair. She picked her up and helped Cleo lie down on the bed.

"Sleep well, Grandma. I will bring Grandma some food when it's time for dinner," Clara chirped, to which Cleo returned a warm smile.

Clara went back to her room, lay down on the soft bed, and somehow, the story of her grandmother kept ringing in her head. Not the one about the handsome vampire, but the one about the medicine that could cure various diseases. She thought her grandmother's illness would be cured if she could get the plant.

After a moment of hesitation, considering that it was forbidden to enter the forest, Clara finally got up from her sleep. She loved her grandmother very much and had decided to go to the forbidden forest to look for the plant. It was still early afternoon, and it would be another two hours before the sky would turn dark. That is a good sign, considering that the creatures called vampires would only appear at night. Clara was desperate to sneak into the forbidden forest, which was said to be inhabited by blood-sucking creatures called vampires.

The distance to the forest was close. It only took about 20 minutes; Clara arrived in front of the forest. Clara shuddered, just looking at the forest from outside. The cold wind that blew from deep in the dense forest made the hairs on her neck prickle. However, for the sake of her beloved grandmother, she boldly began to walk into the forest.

Dark, maybe that's the first word that describes the state of the forest. It was so quiet there that even the sound of insects could be heard by Clara's ears. The towering trees with lots of wild bushes added to the horror of the forest. However, that didn't make Clara waver in her decision to find this legendary medicinal plant.

She darted her gaze around the forest to find a plant that matched the characteristics her grandmother had mentioned.

"Where are the medicinal plants?" She muttered while hugging her body because of the cold she could barely endure. "The plant resembles a purple flower and smells very good. Come on, where is this medicinal plant?" she muttered again.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and the back of Clara's eye caught something flashing quickly behind her. Clara immediately turned her head in the direction behind her, but nothing she didn't find any figure. Even though she was starting to get scared, Clara continued her steps.

Again, the wind blew, and a glimpse of it flew by, quickly caught by the back of Clara's eyes.

"Who is it?!" she shouted, her voice shaking with fear.

Her eyes began to glaze over. She was starting to get scared. She focused her vision on the back and sides, ignoring the front. When she finally turned her head, a sudden drowsiness struck her, and amid her fading consciousness, she caught a glimpse of a person dressed in black standing in front of her. After that, she did not know what had happened to her.