Chapter 2 Forbidden Forest

The sky was clear, with blue clouds that floated above each other adding to its beauty. The birds fly as if welcoming the warmth of the sun. The beetles circled the flowers as if they didn't care about the two humans watching them.

In a garden filled with beautiful blooming flowers, a young couple sat enjoying the beauty of this nature. They were sitting in a long chair overlooking the garden. The woman, known as Clara Huston, rested her head on the broad chest of her lover, known as Maxy Walter. The wind caressing her face, made Clara occasionally close her eyes. The soothing scent of her lover seemed to be a sleeping flower for her. While Maxy, who realized that Clara was asleep on his chest, gently caressed his flawless girl's smooth face. Get rid of the hair that hinders her beauty.

"Ugghh... sorry Max, I fell asleep. It's very comfortable here," Clara said with a blush on her face, making Maxy unable to resist kissing her. Slowly but surely he brought his lips to her face and...

CUP

A warm and soft kiss landed right on Clara's forehead, adding a blush to her face.

"It's getting late, we better go home. I also have to accompany my mother to buy some cloth for our wedding later." Clara pursed her lips looking unhappy to hear they had to part ways when she was still enjoying their time together. Exhaling slowly, she finally smiled at the man who always made her comfortable when she was beside him. Having a lover, ahh... err, means having a fiancé who is so perfect like Maxy, there isn't a single woman who doesn't think that she is a lucky woman.

Maxy Walter, a son from a well-known family in their village. Tussand village that's the name of their village. In a prosperous and peaceful village, all the inhabitants always maintain harmony with each other. Apart from that, he is a man who has a handsome face and a kind heart that cannot be doubted. He is a romantic and caring man, making Clara fall in love with him with all her heart.

"I love you," she said, which made Maxy flinch for a moment before he finally showed his charming smile.

"I love you more, Clara," he said and he hugged him tightly as if he was afraid that if he let go he would lose her.

They hugged each other for a long time until they were forced to separate themselves when they remembered the activities they had to go through today.

Hand in hand they walked toward the girl's house.

"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 in front of 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 serious 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 the happiness she was feeling. Of course, she was very happy considering that in two months she would marry the man she loved so much. At first, Clara intended to go to her room. However, stopped when she passed a room. She discouraged herself and decided to take a quick look at the state of the person who was the owner of the room.

She was shocked when she did not find the person in her bed. The bed looked messy which indicated a moment ago someone was lying there. Anxiety began to grip 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? Go back to lying down, it's so hot here," she said while kneeling in front of that person who was none other than her grandmother. Her grandmother, who still looks beautiful even though she is already seven in her head, shows how beautiful she was when she was young. Maybe Clara's beauty was inherited from her grandmother. Many people who know her grandmother's younger years say that Clara's face is very similar to hers. However, it's a shame that this beautiful grandmother always looks pale and weak because of an illness she has suffered for quite a long time, making Clara constantly worry about the condition of her beloved grandmother.

"When I see sunlight, it always reminds me of that person," said the grandmother, who is known as Cleo Huston.

"Hmm ... remember who? Grandpa huh?" Clara became interested in the direction of their conversation, making her think about accompanying her grandmother for a moment.

Cleo shook her head slowly with her gaze still fixed on the sky.

"If not Grandfather, then who? Could it be Grandma's first love, huh?" At first, Clara only intended to tease, but Cleo's reaction with a faint smile made her realize that her guess was right.

"So it's Grandma's first love? Tell me, Grandma. I'm curious," she said cheerfully while holding Cleo's wrinkled hand.

"Only your mother has ever heard of this story, it seems I also have to tell it to you." Her voice was low but still heard clearly in Clara's ears. She stroked Clara's head gently, causing a feeling of comfort to spread all over her body, with just this touch Clara could feel how much her grandmother loved her.

"Back then... years ago when I was your age. This village was once visited by a very charming man. I've never seen such a handsome man in my life. His hair is as black as the night, his irises are as red as blood, his skin is white as porcelain, his gaze is sharp like an eagle, and his body is tall, straight, and athletic as if all he has is the true form of perfection." Cleo paused the story, Clara gulped her saliva and started to feel enthusiastic about hearing her grandmother's story.

"I fell in love at first sight with him. However, it's a shame I can't be with him." Cleo lowered her head, sadness was visible in her eyes which had been sparkling since earlier because of talking about her first love.

"Why can't you two be together? Did Grandma get arranged so you can't be with him?" Clara guessed that Cleo only shook her head in response.

"He's not human." Clara gasped this time with wide eyes.

"N-Not a human, is he a ghost?" Again Clara tried to guess and for the second time, Cleo just shook her head.

"He's a blood-sucking creature that people usually call a vampire." Not only stunning, now Clara was shocked so that she didn't realize she was standing up from her position which had been kneeling in front of her grandmother.

"I-I've heard rumors about vampires. But from what I hear they are very terrible monsters. Their appearance is very ugly and they do not hesitate to kill humans." Cleo just smiled faintly at that.

"Yes, there is nothing wrong with the rumors. The monster they were talking about was indeed a Vampire. More precisely humans are turned into vampires, but they can't control their thirst for blood so they turn into killing machines. That man was different, he was a pure-blood vampire, a noble vampire whose family members were said to have beautiful faces like gods. And yes, I believe it after seeing that man who possesses a handsomeness unmatched by any human." Clara knelt in front of her grandmother again and held her wrinkled hand.

"He came to this village because actually, this village is still part of his territory. At that time the Village Head tried to discuss and take a peaceful path with him. As a result, an agreement was made. He allowed the people of this village to occupy this village, and the forbidden forest was used as the boundary line of this village and his territory. This agreement is quite detrimental to the villagers. However, in the forest, many kinds of trees can be used as a source of livelihood. Some many plants and animals can be used as food." Cleo paused again, but a smile tugged at her lips making 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 because there were rumors that said the man often visited the forest. I who was blinded by love finally took a reckless action. Several times I sneaked into the forest for one purpose only... to meet him."

"Then did Grandma manage to meet him?" Cleo shook her head and a sad look returned to her face.

"Unfortunately he never appeared in front of me. Finally, I gave up and never went to that forest again. Then I met your grandfather and eventually married him. But even now when I see the sunlight, I always think of that man."

"Why is that, Grandma?" Cleo smiled slightly before she finally let out her low voice again.

"Because vampires can't stand sunlight, their skin will burn if exposed to sunlight, therefore they will only appear when night falls." Clara gave a short oh to hear it.

"It's a shame we are forbidden from entering that forest, even though I heard that there are plants that can cure various diseases growing in that forest." I don't know how many times Clara was stunned to hear her grandmother's words.

"Is it true that the plant can cure various diseases?" she asked enthusiastically.

"Not only disease but serious injuries can be cured with that plant."

"What is the name of the plant, Grandma?" Cleo was stunned and looked like she was thinking or maybe she was remembering something she had forgotten.

"I don't know ... Grandma doesn't know her name," she answered.

"Then the characteristics of the plant, does Grandma know about it?"

"I've heard from the rumors of the villagers, the plant is in the shape of a very beautiful flower with its petals being deep purple and smells very good. It even smells better than roses," she explained, which for some reason made Clara's eyes light up.

"That's enough. Let's end this conversation. Grandma wants to sleep and you also help your mother prepare food for dinner." Clara suddenly looked at the clock that was perched beautifully on the bedroom wall, then pursed her lips before long.

"It's only 3 pm, Grandma. It's still a long time until dinner time arrives. All right, let me help you lie down." Clara helped Cleo up from her chair. By supporting her she helped Cleo lay down on the bed.

"Sleep well, Grandma. I will deliver food to Grandma when dinner time comes," she said cheerfully which Cleo replied with a warm smile.

Clara returned to her room, she lay down on the soft bed and for some reason, the story from her grandmother kept flashing in her mind. Not a story about a handsome vampire, but about a medicine that can cure various diseases. She thought if she managed to get the plant, then her grandmother's disease would be cured.

Feeling doubtful for a moment considering that the forest is forbidden to visit, Clara finally got up from her sleep. She loved her grandmother very much and had decided she would go to the forbidden forest to find the plant. The time was still in the afternoon, it would still take 2 hours before the sky would turn dark. This a good sign considering that creatures called vampires will only appear at nightfall. Clara was desperate to sneak away to the forbidden forest which is said to be inhabited by blood-sucking creatures called vampires.

The forest is not too far away, it only takes about 20 minutes, Clara arrives 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 own body because of the cold that she could barely endure.

"The plant resembles a purple flower and smells very good. Oh, come on where are the herbs?" She muttered again talking to herself.

Wussshhh

A sudden gust of wind blew and Clara's eye caught something flashing quickly right behind her. Clara immediately looked behind her, but nothing ... she didn't find anyone behind her. Even though she was starting to feel scared, Clara resumed her footsteps.

Wussshhh

Again ... the wind was blowing again and a flash of it flashed back quickly caught by the tail of Clara's eye.

"Who's that?!!" she shouted in a voice trembling with fear.

Her eyes started to water, she was starting to get scared at this point. She focused her vision on the back and sides ignoring the front. When she finally turned her head towards the front, a sudden feeling of sleep overtook her and in the midst of her dimming consciousness, she caught sight of the figure of a person clad in black standing in front of her. After that, she no longer knew what had happened to her.