02. The Full Moon

AMARA CAN'T sleep. Something is running on her mind like places she wanted to visit just to forget about Alex.

She sighed for the ninth time and decided to search places on the internet. She immediately opened her old laptop and started to type.

She wanted a place that is rarely visited by tourists. A place where it's secluded but breathtaking.

She spent all her time looking at pictures on the internet, especially the beaches but even if they are all beautiful, she seems to not choose it.

She sighed then suddenly, a certain mountain caught her attention. She can't take her eyes off it. Tall trees are surrounding it and she's not sure about the appearance of it in person.

"Mt. Destora," she read the name of the mountain.

There's not much information about it. The location, name of the mountain and the means of transportation to reach it is then only information attached to the picture.

According to the description below, Mt. Destora can be found at Riverious, a small town located near the so-called mountain.

She clicked the 'Riverious' and a small town picture popped up on the screen including a small map.

Her eyes seem to be glued on the picture. She has knowledge on different mountains in the country but this mountain named Destora is new to her. She wasn't even familiar with it.

She thought that that place is perfect to unwind and maybe she could shout at the top of the mountain all her feelings. She read an article that shouting your feelings is a great way to ease the pain.

Amara is determined to know some details about the mountain. It's a good thing that there's a map attached to the photo. She really wants to try it.

Ever since she was a kid, she hasn't tried to climb a mountain yet. That's because she's not the adventurous type. It's fine with her staying inside the house since her work can be done there. Even when she was still studying. She prefers staying at home than going with her blockmates and joining their night outs.

"I hope this one is effective," she hoped with a small voice thinking about climbing the mountain and shouting everything she wanted to say to her ex.

When she's finally done searching for some information that she needed, she finds a hotel that she could check into for three days. She thought that three days may already be enough for her to climb the mountain.

Good thing her savings is enough. Thanks to her last published book last month.

Her eyes were already getting drowsy until she fell into a deep slumber.

THE NEXT morning, Amara fixed everything and packed all her necessities before going to Riverious. Thank goodness, her food is still enough because she went to a grocery store the other day.

"Food and snacks, check! Clothes, check! Charger and powerbank, check!"

She scanned everything and made sure that all were complete. A while ago, she made a checklist for the things she needs to remember. That's why she's checking it now. She often forgets some things when she goes to different places.

That's what Alex didn't like about her when they were still together. That she needed to double check everything just to make sure. She remembered one time when she had been to a book signing to a hotel. She forgot to bring her laptop! The laptop is her main necessity as a writer and yet she forgot to bring it. What a shame. That's why in the end, she called Alex to bring it for her.

She almost cursed herself at that thought. Alex again...

She shook her head. She should stop thinking about him starting from now. It's done. They are both done. They're relationship for three years is now put to waste.

AMARA locked the door of her apartment. She played with her keys with a smile on her lips while taking her way to her old car which was packed just in front of her apartment.

She bumped into her old landlady who's busy sweeping. The old woman's hair is in a neat ponytail. Her white hair is showing already, even her wrinkles are evident that made her look orderly.

"Amara, are you leaving?"

Amara smiled at the old landlady. "Yes, Grandma Rosie! I won't take long, don't you worry! Don't miss me too much, okay?" she said with a playful tone.

"It seems like you have a date with your boyfriend. Hmm," The old woman teased her.

Amara's smile instantly faded. What the hell? There are so many reminders of her ex!

"No, it's not that, Grandma Rosie!" she shook her head. She's having a doubt about telling her what really happened to her and Alex.

"Oh! So, are you alone?"

"Yes, Grandma Rosie. I'm alone."

"Then you should be careful, Amara!"

Amara just nodded at her. "Yes, of course, Grandma Rosie! So, I'm going now," she said and jogged towards her old black car.

Before starting the engine, she opened her Waze app and typed the location of her destination. It appeared on the screen immediately that made her smile.

She drove her way to Riverious while listening to the radio and to lessen the silence. She's used to traveling alone sometimes but this time, it seems like the silence is slowly eating her peace of mind.

She diverted her attention to the song that is playing from the radio. She even strum her finger that perfectly tuned with the song

"Rvierious, here I come," she whispered to herself while driving.

AMARA DIDN'T expect that it would take her four hours of driving before reaching her destination. She passed the arch where "Welcome to Riverious!" is boldly written at the top. She suddenly felt alive.

She cursed herself when she remembered that she forgot to eat breakfast a while ago. She stopped over at the nearest drive thru but it's not really enough. Even her butt is already aching.

On her way to the hotel that she booked online, she noticed the scenery outside. There are too many trees and green rice fields. She could sense that the life of the people here is simple just by looking at the surroundings.

When she got out of her car, she immediately went inside the hotel. The hotel's name is 'Riverious Hotel'. It looks fine, she's not just sure about the appearance of the hotel inside.

"Enjoy your stay, Ma'am!" the receptionist said as she gave her the key card of her hotel room.

"Thanks!"

While holding her bag, she went to the elevator and looked at the interior design of the hotel. It's not that extravagant like those typical hotels in the city but she must say that the design is really nice. The staff are also nice and the transaction is fast. She confirmed it when she booked a hotel room. She nodded her head with satisfaction.

When she finally entered the elevator, she tapped her floor number which is room 101 on the 23rd floor. As the elevator went up, her head suddenly ached because of the long drive. All the hunger she felt a while ago is now gone because of the headache.

"Damn," she cursed and messaged the side of her head and leaned it on the elevator's wall.

When the elevator stopped, she immediately got out and walked her way to her designated room and swiped her key card. She doesn't have the time to check the room already and just lays her back on the soft mattress of the bed. She's really tired now.

WHEN she woke up, it's already dark outside. She confirmed it when she peaked at the large window. The curtains are even dancing because of the cold wind.

She decided to call room service for her dinner.

"Thank you!" she said to the guy who served her food.

The food is tasty that's why it didn't take her long to finish all of it. It's seafood that's why. She suddenly misses her mother who's currently in the province. Her mother is a good cook that it reminds her the food right now. She really missed her because they rarely see each other in a year.

She suddenly thought of calling her when she's done eating. She searched for her phone and found it inside her small pouch alongside her traveling bag. She tapped her mother's number on her contact list. It didn't take her long before her mother finally answered it.

"Amara Louise Lexecavriah!" her mother shouted at the other line. "You're making me worried! Why are you calling just now?!"

Amara can't help but to let out a giggle. She immediately recognized the voice of the person from the other line. It was no other than Maylene, her childhood friend in the province. Maylene is with her mother and Amara is really thankful because of that since her mother is not alone.

"You miss me too much, Maylene," Amara teased her.

"Yes, you're right! I miss you too much, especially your mother, of course!"

"Maylene, is that Amara? Can I talk to her?"

Amara gasped when she recognized her mother's voice at the other line. She can't help but to get teary eyed.

"Yes, mother! It's your daughter!"

"I want to talk to her!" she heard her mother say impatiently. "Hello, Amara?"

"M-Ma.." Amara's lips trembled because of the tears that were forming around her eyes. She suddenly remembered everything that happened this past few days. She wants to tell her the break up between her and Alex but she doesn't have the energy to say it.

Her mother knows about her relationship with Alex but she hasn't introduced him in person yet because of her schedule and sometimes, Alex is really busy.

She suddenly wants to tell everything to her mom but she doesn't want to worry about her. She knows her mother really well. She easily gets nervous and she doesn't want that to happen.

"How are you, my daughter? Are you fine there?"

"I'm fine, Ma.."

"What about your boyfriend, Amara? How is he? When will I meet him? I want him to meet him in person, Amara," her mother said.

"S-Soon, Ma. What about you, Mama? How are you?" she dodged her mother's question.

"I'm fine, daughter! Even if Maylene is really making my head ache sometimes! She sometimes act like a preschooler!"

"Woah, Mama Amalia. Easy there! A pre-schooler? I behave like a prim and proper princess, Mama Amalia!" Maylene said on the other line.

"Oh, no! Mama, you might forget that you still have a daughter here, huh! I am your daughter, not Maylene!" she kidded. She heard her mother's laugh.

Oh, the sound of mother's laughter is like music to her ears.

That night, she slept with a contented smile on her lips.

ON THE other side, the man's eyes turned into slit while staring at the surroundings. He could feel the movement of the wind and the leaves. Even the animals in the woods are clear in his eyes despite the darkness of the place.

He stared at the moon from above as he sip on his glass filled with red liquid. He closed his eyes and felt the coldness of the wind and smirk as he licked the liquid that stained the side of her lips. The smell of the liquid was so fragrant that it filled the whole room. It's really tempting.

But his smirk immediately faded when he remembered something. His gripped on the glass tightened that he even heard the sound of her knuckles clenched in anger. He suddenly felt livid because of what the witch said to him a while ago.

"She's coming.." The woman said in front of him. She's wearing a black dress that reached her knees and a red scarf that is placed neatly on her neck.

"Who?" he asked but confusion was evident in his voice. His brows are now furrowed.

"She's different. She has a big role in your life," the mysterious woman added seriously. "I don't even know why... why and how is she able to go here?"

"Quit saying bullshit. We both know that no one can ever reach this damn mansion. You're the only one who's able to reach this place. You stop what you're saying because I might do something we'll both regret in the end," he said with a threatening voice.

"We both know really well that sometimes I easily get confused about the future I'm seeing! You know that! But this time, I'm sure about it!"

The man didn't utter a word. How could he believe her when it's been years already yet no one is able to reach the top of the mountain where he's living. It's really hard to believe her.

"You should believe her! That woman is--"

"Woman?"

"Yes! A woman but... you should be careful," she seriously said again. "That woman will bring a big obstacle in your life but... she might be the key to your freedom in this mountain, Helios.."

"When will she come?" he asked, getting interested all of a sudden on what this witch is saying.

"On this coming full moon..."

HE CLOSED his eyes a bit and when he opened it again, it turned red. It was like it's flaming because of the deep color of it. He stared at the sky full of stars scattered around the not so full moon.

Like the moon from above, the mysterious woman is bugging his mind.

"Full moon, huh? Let's see if that fucking witch is not bluffing."

The glass he's holding broke down because of his tight grip around it. He didn't even notice it not until the red liquid streamed down on the cold floor and his fangs grew longer on his teeth.