Chapter 1

Papers and books were scattered in a mess on the large wooden desk as Nate sat nervously rubbing his hair, those dark circles widening around his narrow brown eyes... I don't think it was worth it to look like a panda. " Aren't you finished yet? We're late for dinner," I said as I sat bored in front of him on the chair. "Here...in this exact place," he said, pointing with his pen somewhere on the map. "What does this mean?" I said "Mythical creatures are here in the Hoya-Bakyu Forest," he said while staring at me "Oh no... please Nate not again," I said as I leaned back on the chair. "But it's the only place we haven't searched," he said, then took out another little book and began to carefully turn its pages "Mythical creatures hide in terrifying places that humans cannot approach," he said I sighed and remembered my trip with Nate last month to one of the old castles in London, when we rented a house near there. It was a dreadful night for me. Nate has always been interested in the paranormal and mythology. He was adamant that there was a legend of a hidden vampire or maybe a wolf man somewhere in the world, and I don't know why he was so obsessed with it. Nate once told me about the presence of mythical monsters in a region of Romania, and he paid attention to the gossip and superstitions that they go out on one of the dark nights to hunt victims, which were often women or children. Perhaps farmers from the neighboring areas. I didn't really underestimate what Nate was doing. I was a real girl, and his research was driving me crazy. I loved my field of work in business administration and programming, but I could not prevent him from indulging in his dream that he had been attached to for years. "Today I found out about my parents" divorce, and I grieved so much for my mother and Tia," I said to Nate as I looked down. "So two miles, we"ll set off for our flight tomorrow morning to Romania," he said, rubbing his eyes with fatigue I had become so accustomed to Cold Nate and indifferent about my private life, that I contented myself with a small smile on my face, with the pain in me, he was barely listening and seemed to be ready for tomorrow's flight as well. I grabbed my bag and left his office while he was still sitting in the middle of his pile of papers and scattered books. "I'll be waiting for you" he shouted behind me The story continues below My relationship had been built for about a year and a half. I had met him in a public library when I worked as a librarian. He would visit the place regularly to get many rare and old books, and what attracted me to him was his attachment to reading and he seemed educated, our relationship developed when he sat for hours I was late in the library to read and he talked to me about his adventures and his travels to many countries. I was able to live with him all the details of his expeditions, but recently he was not that attractive young man I met, and our relationship took another turn when he deepened his obsession with legends. By evening I had returned home after apologizing to our friends for having invited us to dinner at a restaurant in the small town of Delphi. My apartment lit up as I slammed the door behind me, "Hey kitty... excuse me for being late," I said as I bent my body to pet my kitty's white fur ball. I went to the fridge to put some cat food for her in her small plate and then headed to my room. I was still grieving for my parents' divorce, starting with my father changing from a successful businessman to a failed addict, his life turned upside down when he fell into severe depression following the murder of his mother "grandmother" in mysterious circumstances. He lost his job and got addicted to drinking alcohol. He beat my mother and he dared to hit me too before I fled to live here alone. I changed my clothes and then took out my small suitcase and started packing my clothes inside. I had no idea what the weather would be like in the Hoya-Pacchio forest in Romania, I think I would need long-sleeved shirts for fear of bugs. After I finished packing my bag, I made myself a small cheese sandwich and sat down to watch TV, but soon my eyes began to burn with drowsiness. I slept for a few minutes and was terrified that someone knocked on the door of my apartment "...is coming" I said I went to the door to open it and was surprised to see both my mother and behind her my younger sister Tia stood. I saw the tears pooling in my mother's eyes, and immediately hugged her, "I know...it's okay, it would be better than staying there" I said and ran my hand across her back. I walked away from the door to let them in, but I stopped Tia and stared at her "Oh my God, what happened?" I said She put her hand on the blue bruise on her forehead. "It's our father. I refused to give him money to buy his drink," she said, looking away. I sighed deeply and motioned for her to come in and the words stopped in my throat. I was sad and angry because my mother and my sister didn't deserve all this to happen to them. I sat next to my mother, "I think things got worse there," I said She was wiping her nose with a tissue while crying, "Yes, your father went crazy and became unbearable," she said I took a deep breath and tried to ease the gloomy mood that was hanging over us. "I swear it was the best decision my mom made and we should celebrate tonight," I said with a smile. A smile appeared on my mother's face, "Indeed, Milen, I should have done this a long time ago," she said "If you don't mind Milene, we'll stay here and I promise I'll go out tomorrow to arrange a place for us," said Tia seriously. "You're kidding, Tia, you'll definitely stay here and so you don't feel embarrassed, I'm traveling tomorrow with Nate to Romania," I said. "Romania!" Tia said as she approached me "Yeah, Nate has a business trip and he wants me by his side, I don't know how long we'll be there but whatever happens don't worry and also housing I've paid annual rent to live in" I said "Milene, I would like to come with you to Romania," she said, looking at me with her large brown eyes I put my hand on her cheek, "Excuse me, because you have your studies and your job, but I promise to take you to another place next time," I said. "But I would like to go to Romania," she said I furrowed my eyebrows, "Why to Romania specifically?" I said She remained silent and did not answer as she looked down, "Oh... you don't know anything, Melin..." said my mother. And she continued, "Tia has recently been dreaming of legends, just like your fiancé Nate, or maybe like your grandmother who was killed in mysterious circumstances. I think it's an infection rampant these days," my mother said bored "Mom! I'm not. I just wanted to go there" Tia said angrily "It's okay... I promise after my return that I will take you there as soon as possible" I told her with a smile