Chapter 2: Separation

"This was a terrible idea," I thought, beginning to regret what I was doing. “No, I’m not giving up that easily. Just focus on your driving and... Relax."
I covered my mouth before I could vomit. We have been on the road for the past two hours when I drive and things are not looking rosy here.
Dad was in the kitchen cooking: I could hear him chopping vegetables and filling them with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. But there was another scent; the sounds of frying beef meat with the scent of black pepper filled the air. Having worked at our family's restaurant every weekend, I know he makes double-stacked sandwiches
Aiden is listening to music on my laptop in the RV living room. I can hear what Aiden is listening to even on the earphones that he is wearing. He had this habit of turning up the volume to 100 all the time. I prefer K-pop to pop-rock songs.
My mom is seated next to me and hasn't moved an inch since I took the wheel. I can’t tell what she is thinking: She has a blank expression on her face; she never took her eyes off me and surprisingly Mom never said a word.
Slowly, I’m losing my confidence minute after minute; the sun is nearly setting; the road is getting darker and darker and there is still no sign written "Arkena". I feel sick to my stomach!
“Odette, are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Dad asked adding a salad to the bread. “Should you trust someone you just met?"
“As I said before Dad, I’m not willing to let this fly,” I replied, eyes on the road. “Besides, the map does state there is a forest called Arkena and it does show the route to Berlin so the man was not lying.”
"I don't know," Dad said with a sigh. “He just seems off.”
"He is off," Aiden replied, removing his earphones. “He’s luring us towards our doom. THE LEGENDARY FOREST OF THE LOST!”
I crack a smile. “Seriously? “The legendary forest of the lost?” Does it have to sound cheesy?”
“Stop laughing, I’m dead serious!” Aiden yelled. “I heard about the legend; it has a back story and everything!”
Aiden cleared his throat.
“The legend began in the mid 19 century when the forest once had a peaceful village called Arkena, till one day a forest fire broke out and spread throughout the village, burning buildings and killing everyone instantly. The locals renamed the forest "Arkena Forest". No one knew who started the fire but the forest has never been safe since." Aiden continued. "There were many rumors: some say they heard screams and cries echo at night, others claim you’ll be cursed once you step in but there was only one theory that remained true: Once every year, whoever entered the “Arkena forest”...were never seen again.”
Everyone remained silent.
"In other words, once a year, somebody gets lost in the middle of the forest?” I said. “Aiden, reality check: everybody gets lost.”
“You’re not listening to me!” Aiden yelled. “The tall man we saw was slender! Don't you think? It must have been him who started the fire all those years ago! He’s lured and killed everyone toward their doom for centuries!”
“Aiden, no offense but you don’t have to believe all those “urban legends” you read online,” I said. It's nothing but made-up stories to trick people.”
"This legendary forest of the lost" sounds like an excuse for locals not to cut down trees," I added.
“Then why was that tall man speaking German when he spoke English?" Aiden asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “But I think he was just messing with us.”
“But he came up to your face when he told you,” Aiden said. “Don’t you find that creepy?”
“I did find it creepy,” I replied. “Why else did I double-check the map to see if he was telling the truth or not?”
Taking a deep breath, I rubbed my eyes.
“Okay, here’s the deal,” I said. “If we don’t find a sign written Arkena in the next hour, I’ll swallow my pride and turn this RV around.”
Both Dad and Aiden looked at each other and then nodded.
“Thank God," I thought. “Now I can focus.”
With all that aside, I continue to travel the rocky road moving forward as planned.
After a moment of silence, someone spoke.
“You know, I never liked the idea of you being around your grandmother often Odette.”
My heart sank when I heard those words. There was a feeling of crushing and pain in my chest at the same time.
Turning to my right, I stared blankly at my mom.
“It is unwise of you to listen to every word she says.” Mom continued. “An event scarred her when she was small and her mind has never developed since.”
My heart ached even more.
“Whenever she was in a difficult state, she would shut off the world around her and see the light in her small world- not doing anything else to solve her issues.”
I can feel my blood boiling every second as I hold the steering wheel tighter.
“That’s how she lost her husband,” Mom added. “She is nothing more than an embarrassment to be related to us.”
I couldn’t take it anymore hearing her badmouth grandma.
“Stop it, Mom!” I snap. “She’s your mom but you talk down to her like she’s trash! How could you say that?"
My eyes were now burning with tears. “Do you have any idea how comfortable I feel when I’m around her? She made me feel loved and loved me for who I am! Unlike you, she would never pressure me to do things. She said, "Live your life with pride and happiness."
“Challenge yourself with the difficulties you will face?" she added before I could finish.
I paused in shock at what I heard. “What?”
“Your grandmother only said it because she knows she is a coward and wants you not to be like her,” Mom added. “The mentally ill are not meant to be role models.”
I don’t know what to say or even think at this point; my mind is utterly blank.
“LOOK OUT!” Dad screams from behind us.
I woke up to my senses and turned to see a figure heading toward us. As a result of my step on the breaks, Dad lost his balance, dropping his homemade sandwiches on the floor. In addition, my forehead hit the steering wheel when I stepped on the brakes.
“Ouch, my head.” I thought rubbing my forehead.
“Odette!” Mom cried. “Are you okay? Does it hurt? Do you need anything? Does your forehead need ice? Can you stand? Can you still see it? How many fingers am I holding?”
“Well, there are the sandwiches,” Dad said scratching his head.
"I don't give a damn about stupid sandwiches, Oliver!” Mom yelled. "You Aiden take a moment to look at your sister; there will come a time when you start driving and come across accidents like this. THIS IS WHY WE WEAR SEAT BELTS!”
Softly I said. “I’m fine Mom, just give me a minute.”
“Guys,” Aiden whispered still stunned. “Look over there.”
Aiden raises his hand pointing out. I look up at what was in front of me: There was a large oval-shaped wooden sign painted in pitch black. It is covered in moss however I can still see the subtitles written in calligraphy style and painted in golden yellow with an arrow below pointing in the right-hand direction.
“Arkena Forest” is what was written.
I cannot believe my eyes. After the past two long hours, we are finally here.
“Well, I told you we'd make it," I said with a grin. “I guess now we’ll turn right and proceed from here.”
“No!” Aiden cried. “I don’t want to be killed! Let’s turn back where we can or the slandered man will get us!”
I was about to scold him one last time until I noticed a tear drop coming out of Aiden’s left eye. He was shaken from head to toe clinching his fingers on the sofa; his eyes widening in fear. I realize what I’m doing. Aiden is terrified of the monster, but I was too selfish to see it.
“Aiden,” I called after him. “I know the legend sounds terrifying, but it’s the only road to Berlin."
"W-what?" Aiden stood up startled. “What a-are are you talking about? I’m n-not sc-scared!”
“Come on Son,” Dad pats Aiden’s head. “Even the strongest man who ever lived would be scared of something. Fear is part of being human.”
"Yeah, what did Dad say?" I agree. “But no matter what happens, we stick together like glue. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I grabbed Aiden’s hand. “Ironic, back at home you were a daredevil; you were so brave and talented. But now you’re a sacred cat."
“I’m not a sacred cat!" Aiden blushes. “It’s just that he’s super tall and has super strength. He can beat anyone.”
With a grin, I said. “No Aiden, he can’t beat anyone. That’s what you think. You’re only thinking of negativity. The only way to beat negativity is here."
I pointed my index finger at Aiden’s chest, and he looked at me then burst out laughing.
“Wow Sis, that was so lame.” He laughed. “Now who’s being cheesy?”
I smiled. “And if we encountered the slandered man in that forest.”
I did my most effective ‘karate’ pose and threw a fist in the air. “I will beat him up into a bloody pulp and take a picture, so I can expose him on my Twitter page.”
Aiden laughed harder. “And if he laid his tentacles on you, you'd tie it up like a bow, Robin!"
Tentacles? What the hell has he been reading?!
“I think it’s better if we all stay in the RV," Dad suggests. “Also I dialed 112 on my phone if anything happened. I’m calling but if they speak German I’ll hand over my phone to you, Odette.”
“Alright, sounds like a plan," I replied. I reverse the RV and then turn right heading towards the dark forest.
Large forest trees were around us with the sound of night hunters barking. Eventually, we came across a thick mist surrounding the RV. The deeper we delved, the thicker the mist got, until we were surrounded by mist far too thick to see anything through the car windows. There was no word spoken; Dad, Aiden, or even Mom looked through their windows, spotting something...or someone. I can feel my heart racing through my chest, sweating on my forehead, and my crucifix necklace clinging tightly to my hand.
However, in times like this strike, there is one thing I know: Don’t give up.....unless there’s a dead end.
Without thinking, I increase the speed of the car as it moves on the tracks. My hands tighten on the steering wheel as my eyes are on the road. While it's still hard to see in all the mist, I can keep my eyes on the road.
“Odette, slow down," my mom called out. “You’re driving too fast. What if we hit a tree?”
Suddenly, I hit something before slowing down. Taking a deep breath, I stopped the RV in its tracks.
“Odette!” Mom yelled. “What did I tell you? SLOW DOWN!”
“Sorry, I just thought- I don’t know,” I said still in shock.
“What did you hit?! What did you hit?" Aiden bounces up and down. “Is it slander man?! Can I see it? No-wait, I have to get my camera!”
“But were you scared of the slandered man before?” I asked while Aiden opened each wardrobe to find our family camera.
“No, I wasn’t!” Aiden cried out. “I was speaking FACTS!”
“But I saw you crying,” I added. “I mean, I only saw a teardrop but the same difference."
"I didn't cry," Aiden said as he opened the last wardrobe in the kitchen. “Ah, there it is.”
“Everyone calm down, I'll check outside to see what happens,” Dad said opening the RV door. “Stay where you are, I’ll be back.”
As Dad steps out, I can help but peek out of the RV window to see what I hit.
“Odette, close the window. Don't make this harder for us." Mom demanded.
But I didn’t listen as I stood up from my seat and looked out the RV window. Dad was in front of the RV, swatting at what he saw; a creature lying down on a pile of dead leaves, moaning in pain.
“Oh no,” I thought. “I hit a fawn.”
From what I saw, I removed my seatbelt and dashed out the RV door. Aiden tried to follow me, but Mom grabbed him by the wrist.
“Ouch!” Aiden cried. “Mom, stop it! It hurts! I want to see "The Slander Man" too!”
“Shut up, Aiden!” Mom yelled. “There is no such thing as “The Slander-man” and you young lady, get your butt over here!”
I ignore her order and step forward to look down at the inferior fawn. Fawn was lying, flitching back and forth, calling for his mother. I couldn't help but feel sorry for hitting it.
Suddenly, I heard a howling sound behind me. I turned around and saw the mother deer on top of a hill of rocks.
I get down on my knees, lavishly stroking the fawn’s back. “Hey, baby deer, please don’t cry,” I said. “I’m sorry for hitting you. I didn’t mean to.”
Keeping the baby dear calm, I massage its back without thinking. “But it’s going to be OK, relax.”
I continued massaging his back, and the fawn slowed down. I grandly held the fawn and slowly got him up to his feet. I let the deer go as he was capable of walking towards his mother up on the rocky hill as they walked along together, disappearing through the thick mist.
“Odette, I know I have no place in what you want to do with your life,” Dad said. "But I know you’ll be a wonderful doctor. You genuinely care for other people, whether human or animal.”
I blush and look down. “Yeah, but I was too careless about Aiden’s cries."
“Hey, don’t blame yourself.” Dad laughed, patting my back. “Aiden is the one who believes all the crazy stories he reads online.”
I laughed along with him, remembering all the stories Aiden used to talk about: Bloody Mary hunting him when he was five, sitting traps in the backyard to catch the Yati for eating ice cream every winter; the list runs on and on.
“What are you two laughing about?” Dad and I stop laughing and turn around to see Mom looking furious. Aiden stands beside her, reddening in mortification.
“You two should shame yourselves!” Mom said. “Just because he believes such nonsense, if he does it you'll have to mock him!”
Mom holds Aiden by the shoulders. “He is a sweet, innocent child who doesn’t know better. You two should know better yourselves!”
“Mom, stop it don't make this more embarrassing for me,” Aiden said, removing Mom's hands from his shoulders.
I can’t help but laugh at Aiden's idiocy until I notice a yellow spark behind a large tree in the distance. The mist is getting clearer till the mist vanishes, leaving the sun illuminating the forest around.
The sun is out....at this hour? It can’t be. The last time I checked it was still 7:00 P.M.
As Dad looked around, he asked, "Why is the sun out now? How did that happen?”
“LOOK OVER THERE!” Aiden yelled, pointing at the garden of sunflowers ahead of us.
"Well would you look at that; we found the sunflower garden," Dad said happily. “I guess taking a shortcut was not a terrible idea. Come on; let’s get back in the RV.”
“But Dad, it’s been forever since we got out of the RV. Let’s take a break and explore the garden!” Aiden suggests.
“Aiden, we don’t know if the fields are private property. We meant to get into serious trouble," Dad warned.
“Please? We are only just looking around, and if it's private it should have a fence, right?” Aiden plaids.
“Well, I am tired of driving around. I think we should take a picnic next to the garden," Mom said, agreeing with Aiden's suggestion.
Dad was quiet until he asked me for a suggestion; should we move forward or stay and rest for a bit?
I still think of that yellow spark behind that huge tree earlier. I don’t know why the image caught my eye.
"You guys can do whatever you want," I told them. “I’m returning to the forest to check something out.”
“What, why?” Mom inquired. “You saw how dark it was back there. You'll get lost.”
“Mom, I’m going to be fine, honest, and besides, it’s not that far from where I’m heading,” I said. “It only takes a minute.”
Mom looked at me with concern. She has always been like this since I was born. She never trusted me to do anything. But today, I’m 17 years old, heading to college. As far as I am concerned, I will no longer adhere to her rules.
“Fine, you can explore and see whatever you find.” Mom agreed.
I was amazed and speechless at what I heard. Did she allow me to do something? Wow, that’s new.
“Well, I won’t argue,” Dad said. “I’ll make those sandwiches again. Come on Aiden, help your old man.”
As Dad and Aiden jumped into the RV to sort out the picnic, I wandered back into the woods.
“Be careful, Odette, and promise me you’ll be back!” Mom yelled, waving at me as I walked further ahead.
"I promise!" I shouted and kept walking until I lost sight of them.
I walked deep through the woods searching for what was causing that yellow spark. Bushes stroked me as I stamped across a rocky road, nearly tripping myself.
I push a tree branch aside until it swings in my face. I cover my face, screaming from pain. Once I gain my sight, I can see that yellow spark again a few meters ahead. It is a joy to dash through the branches and bushes around me until I stop in my tracks.
Thereupon a large oak tree where its vines wrapped a long dirty stick with a yellow stone fused on the edge. This staff was trapped against the tree? Seeing the yellow stone, I was led here by the reflection of the sunlight.
“So that's where the yellow light comes from,” I said staring at an odd-looking staff. “Wow, looks ancient....and cool! Let me send this to Dawn on WhatsApp.”
I pull out my iPhone from my dress, took a picture, and text to Dawn.
Odette: Hey, girl! I just discovered something pretty cool, don't you think? (Friday, 14 Jan, 7:09).
Odette: Why is an old stick glued to a tree? LOL. (Friday, 14 Jan, 7:10).
Odette: Anyway, get back to me, I can't wait to see you. Bye! (Friday, 14 Jan, 7:10).
I clicked send after adding a peace sign Emoji. Dawn and I were best friends back in Canada. She was a quiet Japanese student in first grade. She almost wore the same clothes every day, mumbled to herself, and rarely showed facial expressions. In her final year in high school, she was described as the “Queen of Goths” in her school yearbook and she was cool.
Even though Dawn and I were different, we were inseparable. The two of us did almost everything together; we were lap partners, went shopping after school, had slumber parties, and she helped me at Dad's restaurant as a waitress on one occasion. However, everything changed once she moved to Germany to study medicine. I never felt so alone.
Having sent the text, I reached out to the staff as thoughts ran through my head. What kind of stick does it look like? Why was it stuck on the tree? Did someone leave it here on purpose? Is it OK if I remove the vines and hold it?”
Carefully, I pull out one of the vines as hard as I can one by one. The vines were like cement attached to the staff, making it extremely difficult for me to get them out. My arms began to soar, my back started to arch for the fourteenth time catching my breath every three minutes. I began to lose patience, ripping the vines with force. Sweat releases through my forehead as I gasp for air.
It only lasted a minute until I finally pulled out the last vine, only to catch my breath one last time. Despite its odd appearance, the staff is heavier than I expected. It was as tall as me, only 5'6". In my pocket, I took out a tissue paper, wrapping the dirty staff in colorless detail.
“It’s glass?” I gasp. “Amazing, I've never seen anything like it!”
I examined the glass staff, imagining what it could do. “What is it supposed to be anyway? Is it a walking stick? A selfie stick? What if-”
I paused, covering my left hand, too stunned to say it out loud. “What if...it's a war spear!?”
For a moment, I burst out laughing. “Oh, come on Odette! It can’t be a war spear,” I said, laughing to myself. “Spears are all made from wood, not glass, and they have sharp blades, unlike this one.”
I glance at the yellow stone attached to the edge of the glass staff. “This one is round and yellow. It is heavy, yes, but fragile. It is a bit too big- wider than a softball.”
To touch the yellow stone, I extended my finger. “I don’t know, but I think it looks amazing. Maybe I could stretch it."
As my finger landed on the stone, massive shock waves ran through my body, causing me to fall onto the dry grass and blackout as I fell.

Chapter end