Once the meeting with Governor Don Pon's representative ended, the couple—who barely had any information about the place they were in—approached once again the chained gate of the Cursed Forest. They now had the freedom and permission to enter it, but something was not right. Fortunately, no one had seen Laura's altered body, which kept suspicion away… or so they believed.
They approached the gate and, after several forceful attempts, managed to open the rusty, heavy door.
—Wait, Laura, we can't go in like this. We don't know what we'll find ahead, and honestly, I'm a little scared.
—I know… me too.
—Then stay here for a moment. I'll go back to the village to get a few things. I won't take long, I promise.
—Okay… hey… you're not aban—?
She paused while looking into Tirio's eyes and realized something.
—Tell me, my love.
—Nothing… I'll be waiting for you.
She realized the only place Tirio ever wanted to be… was by her side.
Tirio left to gather what they needed to enter the forest. Meanwhile, Laura stayed hidden near the gate of that dreadful place. Behind Tirio, a young girl—no older than ten—approached Laura. She had dark skin and bulging eyes that seemed to reflect everything they saw. She noticed Laura hiding under her dark hood and slowly approached, driven by curiosity.
—Hello!
—Ahh… you scared me. Hello.
—Do you want to go into the Forest?
—Uh… yes, you could say that.
—If I asked you not to go in, would you listen to me?
—Why would you ask me that?
—Because… well… everyone says it's dangerous, so normally nobody comes near it.
—If nobody comes near it, why are you here, so close?
—Well… I'm waiting for someone.
—For someone… who?
—My father. He told me to wait for him here while he went to get my mother, so I always come here to wait for his return.
Numb from what the girl was telling her, Laura stared at her for a while. In the girl's gaze, she could see pain disguised as hope—an innocent child whose reality was being distorted by her desire to believe. A reality that was a lie.
—Tell me… when did your father enter the forest?
—Well, that was… um… I don't know. I still didn't know how to count very well.
Hehehe… but I remember it was a day after my seventh birthday.
—And how old are you now?
—I'm almost ten years old, and I've grown a lot. When they come back, they'll be very surprised… hehe.
—And you've been coming here every day since then?
Laura asked, worried and saddened.
—Uh… yes… well, there was one day they didn't let me come because I was sick. But when I got better, I came back like always. Since I didn't know if they had already left, I asked everyone in the village if they had seen my mom or dad. They said no, so I understood I still had to keep waiting for them here, exactly where my father left me.
She looked up at Laura and noticed she was crying without even realizing it.
—Are you going to cry too? I don't understand why everyone cries whenever I talk about my parents.
—I'm sorry… it's just—
—I don't want to know. I know everyone thinks something bad happened to them, but I know they're fine. So I'll wait for them here no matter what anyone says.
The girl stood up, ready to leave. Laura grabbed her hand, trying to stop her. The girl shook her off, and Laura's hood fell back, revealing the abnormal features of her face.
—Ahhh! —Laura screamed— Hey, don't do that…
She looked at the girl and—
—MOM…!? Mom… I knew it had to be you… look how much I've grown!
Laura looked at the girl and suddenly understood everything. She was not her mother… but for some reason she still didn't understand, she understood the girl's behavior.
—Mom… you've barely changed. With your eyes shining like fireflies and those unique ears… I thought I'd never see you again after they threw you out of the village.
—Threw me out… who did!?
—LAURAAAAA!
Tirio came running toward them, shouting, carrying bags filled with supplies.
—We have to go!
Laura raised her gaze and immediately understood the situation. She stood up, grabbed her bag tightly, and slung it over her back, ready to leave without wasting another second.
—Mom… please… please don't go.
The girl clung tightly to Laura's clothes.
Laura looked at her, a knot forming in her stomach. The situation had changed in a way no one could have foreseen.
What am I supposed to do? she thought… but found no answer.
Minutes later, Tirio arrived in a hurry, grabbed Laura's hand, and pulled her toward the gate without caring about the girl's presence.
—Let go, girl, we're in a hurry. Laura, let's go!
—Tirio… the girl…
—We can't do anything for her. We can't take her with us, understand…
—GET THEM! HURRY!
A violent mob was approaching the couple. Somehow, the rumor that Laura was a mutant had spread. In that miserable village, things had begun to improve after the rise of mutants—because they hunted them and delivered them to the government in exchange for rewards, all under the slogan:
"For a better future, some must fall so others may rise."
Tirio grabbed the girl's hand and forcefully pulled her away from Laura. The girl fell to the ground. Tirio carried Laura and rushed into the forest. Behind them, the gate slammed shut on its own with a roar like a furious beast. No one understood what had happened—but they understood one thing… they couldn't stay there.
They ventured deeper into the forest, searching for the river Elionor had told them about. They wandered aimlessly through a jungle more alive than an enraged beast. The sun sank lower, and shadows on the ground made them see things that weren't there… or perhaps they were. The wind sounded like whispers. The feeling of being watched from behind was constant and unavoidable. Their minds played cruel tricks… or perhaps their senses were warning them of invisible threats.
Night fell. They could barely see a few meters ahead. In the deep silence, they heard something… a constant sound rising above all others.
They had found the river.
They approached to rest and clean themselves. Laura sat at the riverbank while Tirio leaned closer to splash water on his face. Staring into the water, he saw something… unsure of what it was, he leaned closer and closer.
—AHHHH!
Tirio jumped out of the water.
—Tirio! What's wrong!?
—A corpse… it's a corpse!
They slowly approached to confirm it. There it was—beneath the water, mouth open, hollow dark eyes like endless night, and a body decayed and consumed.
—Tirio, please… let's go!
—Yes… of course…
They ran upstream as if fleeing from something. Near midnight, they saw the dark reflection of something hidden among shadows. They approached, terrified of the place that seemed to watch their every step. The closer they got, the more they felt an eerie presence behind them.
Maybe it's the same thing that killed that person, Laura thought, paralyzed by fear.
Suddenly, a storm erupted behind them. Trees twisted and roared. Strange noises multiplied. In the distance, rapid, furious footsteps echoed from every direction—heading straight toward them.
They ran blindly. Tirio dragged Laura as if his life depended on it.
After overcoming several obstacles, they finally saw it clearly. The shadows vanished, and the bright full moon illuminated the place before them.
They stood before the monument Elionor had spoken of—the ancient Mansion of the Ladies in Black.
As they approached, the place didn't just seem different… it was different. The wind stopped. Moonlight illuminated everything, giving clarity to the exhausted visitors.
Suddenly, Laura grabbed Tirio's arm tightly, as if suffering a strange pain. Before them, the mansion's door creaked open—as if welcoming them.
Without hesitation, they entered to seek refuge and spend the night. Everything grew quiet. The noises ceased… and the fear with them.
Morning came… and everything was different.
—Tirio! Are we still in the same place as last night?
—I… I suppose so. Wait here, I'll check.
He stepped outside to inspect the surroundings—and froze in shock.
The mansion had transformed into a warm, family home filled with everything they needed. Outside, the fresh breeze caressed his face. The garden flowers greeted the sun, and the sun answered with a perfect warmth upon his skin.
Their nightmare had become their dream.
— I can't believe what I'm seeing… Tirio whispered.
—Me neither… Laura replied, appearing behind him like a ghost.
—Laura… this place…
—I know… it's perfect! It's like it was made just for us.
—Well… maybe you're exaggerating, but… I agree. This is the most peaceful place I've ever been.
—So…?
—I don't know… what if we stay for a while… and then decide?
—You took the words right out of my mouth.
—It's even better than what Elionor described.
—Exactly what I was thinking.
—I think we'll be safe here.
—I was about to say that.
—Stop copying me.
—I'm sorry… it's just… it's so beautiful it leaves me speechless!
Laura laughed emotionally.
—Then it's settled… WE'RE STAYING!
It was a stroke of luck—a powerful one. They repaired their new home and settled completely. Nights felt like nightmares… and days like dreams beyond imagination. Over time, they created a system that kept them safe.
Life in that refuge was, in simple words… PERFECT.
Seven months of pregnancy passed, and everything remained normal. Sometimes they wondered about the corpse in the river—but they never investigated further.
Why risk the peace they had finally found?
Outside their nest of love and peace, darkness was approaching. Because after calm comes the storm… and every rose has its thorn.