Chapter 2 : Al's story
Five years have passed since that dreadful encounter between the mysterious being and Emiliana, and Demad has now become a playful child. The village has grown somewhat larger, and its population has increased.
Demad: "Hey Kira, I'm bored. Let's go to Aunt Lucy so she can tell us a story!"
Kira, a boy with brown hair and green eyes, standing in front of Demad with his hands in his pockets, opened his lips with joy and eagerness and said:
Kira: "Yeah, man, me too. I'm really bored. Let's go, hurry up!"
Laughing and chatting a little, Kira and Demad climbed the stairs in the middle of the village waterfall. A dog approached Demad; the white spots against its brown fur created a contrast. Demad noticed the dog with a smile and stopped. Kira noticed too, and the two of them began petting it.
Demad: "Wow, you've gotten so chubby, Hapo."
Kira: "You're so cute, Hapo. Demad! What do you think we should name her?"
Demad: "Hmm… since she's a girl, let's name her Hanna."
Kira: "Hanna… hmm, interesting."
Kira petted the dog more, stroking its throat with his hands. The dog wagged its tail back and forth at an unbelievable speed during the repeated affection. Kira pointed his finger toward the dog and said:
Kira: "Demad, let's take her to Aunt Lucy."
Demad: "Hmm, I don't think she'd like that. Dogs aren't as clean as cats."
Suddenly, a hand touched Demad's back, sending a spark of suspicion through his entire body. It was none other than Fira. Demad turned and stared at her. Fira's hair was a bright fiery red, and her penetrating brown eyes were fixed with interest on Demad and Kira's conversation.
Fira: "There's no need to take this dog to Aunt Lucy. She doesn't like dogs. And by the way, why are you boys going to see Aunt Lucy?"
Kira: "Eh? Fira-chan, were you following us?"
Fira: "Of course not! I'm just making sure Demad doesn't cause trouble!"
Demad said in a smug tone: "You're the one who causes trouble."
Fira's face turned red at Demad's words. "Forget it. What are you going to Aunt Lucy for?"
Demad: "Nothing. We just want her to tell us stories."
Kira nodded and grabbed Demad and Fira's hands to continue on their way. Demad and Fira complained slightly at how suddenly he pulled them along, but they said nothing.
Demad: "Sorry, Hanna, but we have to go."
After a few minutes of walking, the sunlight continued shining intensely, its warmth bringing general joy. The breeze blew across the children's skin and slight sweat, creating a cooling sensation.
Demad, Fira, and Kira reached Aunt Lucy's house — a simple home built from pieces of stone, with a chimney rising from the roof, spreading charcoal smoke into the air. Demad stepped closer and began knocking on the door with his right hand.
The door opened with a creaking sound, and Aunt Lucy, wearing an apron, appeared. She was happy to see Demad, Fira, and the other, and said:
Aunt Lucy: "What happened, kids? Why did you come here?"
Demad: "Aunt Lucy, we're bored. Can you tell us some old tales and stories?"
Suddenly, Kira's stomach growled. His cheeks turned red, and he placed his hand over his stomach. Fira and Demad were slightly shocked by the sound.
Aunt Lucy: "Come inside, children. Lunch is just ready."
Demad, Fira, and Kira nodded and entered the house at her invitation.
When Aunt Lucy closed the door behind them, the children stepped inside. Sunlight from the window created warmth and a pleasant atmosphere. Dust danced within the beams of light. Demad and the others approached the table; the smell of grilled meat filled the air with appetite. Chairs were neatly arranged around the table. On the right, on a small table beside a flower, there was a family photograph.
When the children sat down, Aunt Lucy, with a pleasant smile, placed the dishes and set large, juicy steaks on each plate. Seeing this scene, the children swallowed hard and, after saying a short prayer, began to eat.
Aunt Lucy: "Oh my, children, it's obvious you're very hungry — especially you, Kira."
Kira blushed slightly in embarrassment but said nothing, responding with a smile.
After some time, Aunt Lucy took a book from the left side of the open shelf, where it rested in a pretty floral alcove. She blew the dust off it, opened it, and held it in her hands.
Aunt Lucy: "So, children, you came to hear a story, didn't you?"
The children nodded excitedly in confirmation. A mischievous smile formed on Aunt Lucy's lips, for she had chosen a frightening book that would keep the children awake at night.
Fira: "Auntie, can you start reading? We're very excited."
Kira and Demad nodded as well. Aunt Lucy, excited by their enthusiasm, flipped back through the pages. After a few crucial moments, she began:
Aunt Lucy: "The legend of Al. In ancient times, especially in villages located near forests and rivers, sometimes pregnant women or women who had just given birth would suddenly be killed in strange ways. In one village, to understand what was happening, the people kept watch at night whenever a woman had given birth, to discover the cause of death. Then, one night…"
The children had not expected such a story. Cold sweat trickled down their skin, and they instinctively took on a defensive posture, as if something from the book might leap toward them.
Aunt Lucy: "Suddenly, Al appeared and approached the woman who had fallen into a deep sleep beside her newborn. With her hand, she touched the child's chest and pulled out the essence of the child's life. The mother awoke at the rustling sound on the ground and saw a woman standing at the doorway, wearing torn white clothes, her black hair covering her face. Among the strands, her silver teeth gleamed in the moonlight. The woman screamed, and Al immediately fled outside…"
Fira, Demad, and Kira felt their hair stand on end at the description. An indescribable excitement to hear more stirred within them. Seeing their eagerness, Aunt Lucy turned the page and continued reading.
Aunt Lucy: "The villagers, hearing the woman's scream, chased after Al in fear and terror. But because of her inhuman speed, she grew farther and farther in their eyes until she completely vanished. With nothing they could do, the villagers surrendered. Then we see Al in the darkness of the forest, reaching a river that reflects the moonlight. She places that jewel of the child's life into the water, and after a few moments, puts it into her mouth and consumes it to quench her thirst. The child dies strangely the next day. The end."
Aunt Lucy closed the book, sending a bit of dust into the air. The children, their faces pale, sat in unusual silence, lost in thought. Suddenly, Aunt Lucy burst into loud laughter, breaking the silence of the room.
Aunt Lucy: "Haaa! Children, it was just a story. It's not real. Why are you so scared?"
Demad: "I hope it's only a story."
Kira: "From now on, I'm not even going near the forest."
Fira: "Poor baby…"
After a few minutes, the children asked to leave. The sun was dimming; evening was approaching. Demad, Fira, and Kira said goodbye to Aunt Lucy at the doorway, thanked her for her valuable time, and stepped outside.
Kira: "Man, I'm never coming to Aunt Lucy's house again. What if she's actually an Al?"
Fira and Demad were slightly startled by the thought.
Demad: "No, that's impossible. If she were Al, she would've killed me or someone else when we were babies."
Fira: "Yeah, Demad's right."
Kira: "Hmm… maybe."
Kira parted ways with Demad and Fira midway, and they said their goodbyes. Now Demad and Fira walked toward home in the darkness of night.
Demad: "Let's hurry, or Mom will scold us."
Fira: "Yeah, hurry!"
After a few minutes, they reached home. Demad pressed the door handle, and the door opened with a creak. On the other side stood Emiliana, asking in a complaining tone:
Emiliana: "Where have you children been until now?"
Demad and Fira, slightly frightened, entered.
Demad: "Uh… sorry, we were at Aunt Lucy's."
Fira: "Yeah, Mom, Aunt Lucy read us a book and treated us."
Emiliana calmed down. "Alright, that's fine. Go to sleep. It's bedtime."
Demad and Fira nodded and each entered their own room. Demad opened his door and lightly struck his fist against his head; thoughts about Al occupied his mind. He flopped onto the bed, pulled the blanket over himself with the rustling sound of the mattress, slowly distracting his mind with other thoughts. With his other hand, he turned off the lamp. After some time, his eyes grew heavy, and Demad fell asleep.
Suddenly, Demad opened his eyes in the darkness of a forest. He saw Kira, his finger placed over his nose, trying to signal something. Fear was clearly visible in Kira's eyes, as though they had seen something horrifying.
Suddenly, the sound of cracking wood and rustling leaves shattered the tension between Kira and Demad. Out of curiosity and pure fear, Demad lifted his head to see the source of the sound. He could not see clearly; the darkness blurred his vision. Yet he saw a woman with long black hair and torn white clothing, speaking to herself as she walked in uncertain directions.
Fear and numbness suddenly overtook Demad's entire body. The scene was so real and terrifying that it gave him a stomachache. Suddenly, the woman looked toward them in a shocking motion and, after a brief moment, ran toward Demad and Kira with inhuman speed.
Suddenly, Demad woke up. The sound of his heartbeat and breathing filled the space. Sweat dripped from his head and body, and faint red veins were visible in his eyes. Demad realized it had all been a dream and that no danger threatened him. He exhaled in relief and satisfaction, lay back down on the bed, and tried to fall asleep again.