Episode 8
Fred slowed down when he climbed the mudy stairs of the very hut Hoom
followed by Agatha before Sam. There was a man sitting on a wooden stool
inside the hut. He had no cloth on except a fabric wrapped around his
waist. A strange mark could be seen on his chest and eyes. He had a long
grey beards like that of a matured hegoat. On the floor were the two women
lying unconsciously. They had the same height but were in different attire:
Edna wore an ash top over a black skirt but without shoes. The natural hair
she parked backward had become scattered. Her attractive skin could be
viewed from her legs, through the thighs to her beautiful face.
On the other hand, Becky, Lucky’s wife wore a long gown. She was a bit dark
with dimples on her face, and on her head was a Brazilian hair .
The old man looked up at the entrance of the hut to see Agatha coming with
Fred, therefore he shrieked, “How dare you bring a conscious woman into the
secrete hut of Hoom!?”
Hearing that, Fred disdained Agatha, nobody reminded her to leave the place
instantly. Sam took her position as they finally entered looking around the
hut until Fred sighted his wife lying on the floor. At the sight of her,
the love and affection he had for her returned immediately. At that point,
he didn’t believe again in the rumor that says she cheated on him. But if
actually she didn’t, how can one explain Charles’ actions in the forest and
the man who called him son from the river? Or would you also say that
Ryanie lied? Only the mother of a child knows the real father, and Fred
couldn’t wait to hear from his wife. He looked at the old man.
“I’m Fred Lambert.. ”
“Spare me the introduction!” the man interrupted harshly with widened eyes.
“The day you took the life of the man whom soul belongs to the forest of
Hoom, was the day I knew who you are. Anyone who takes the life of a person
whom his or her soul belongs here must embark on a dangerous journey to
this placd after his or her dear one is captured. Count yourself lucky you
survived. Also thank your creator that the son of a person whom soul is of
Hoom is with you. He will lead you back safely”
“You mean Charles?” Fred asked curiously. “And what do you mean by he’s the
son of a person whom soul is of Hoom? He is my son and I never soled my
soul to the forest of Hoom!”
The man didn’t reply him. From their little conversation, Sam began deduced
the reason why Charles was able to command animals and also concured on the
fact that he wasn’t the real son of Fred. He glanced at the women to know
the actual wife of Fred but couldn’t get it coz he had never seen her
before. Fred also looked at his wife remembering what he passed through
because of her till the very moment he stood in the hut, so his anger
arose. One could see his muscular chest moving up and down as he averted
his eyes back to the man.
“What do I do now?”
“You go back home”
“I guess after taking my wife with me”
“No!”
“What?!” Fred provorked. “I spent three days journey all the way from home
to this forest just to get her, and you’re telling me that I’ll go back
without her!!”
The man smiled but suddenly frowned with widened eyes looking at him. “You
never came with your wife and she will never go with you! The way in which
she came here is the way she will go back. Therefore, also go back the same
way you came. When you get home safely, you’ll see your wife likewise the
other lady lying beside her” he pointed at Becky.
“But are there still alive?” Sam asked calmly.
“They are just unconscious” he replied.
Fred walked out of the hut immediately followed by Sam. They met others and
explained to them what the old man said. Charles had some questions to ask
his father but reserved it. Sam walked up to Regina and said, “You will see
your mum when we get back home, trust me”
“But did you see her inside the hut?” she asked terrifyingly.
“Yes dear”
“Charle, lead the way” Agatha said looking at him. Fred interrupted when
they wanted to proceed then glared at Charles.
“Son, do you have any idea why Ryanie said you’ll be the one to lead us
back home?”
“Who’s Ryanie?”
“The woman that paddled the boat”
“Maybe because everything in the forest obeys me” Charles told his story on
how they got there and how he also saw a man who called him ‘My son’ from
the river. After that, he looked at Fred and said, “Dad, are you really my
father?”
Silence creep in. Not that Fred didn’t want to answer him but because he
had no prove of his justification which he had in mind that truly Charles
wasn’t his son. He couldn’t think of anything else apart from Edna, so he
broke the silence and said with a very low but deadly voice, “Which way are
we following young leader?”
“This way” Charles pointed at the direction the giant monkey followed.
“Thank you” Fred angrily hurried out as everybody watched him. His
movements alone showed that there would be a very big problem at home….
********
THREE DAYS LATER
Back home, Dennis, the twin brother of Fred, rode on a car with his friend,
Joe. They were actually heading to Fred’s residence to check if anyone had
come back. Joe was just a guy struggling for life, he felt the air
conditioner that reduced the temperature of the car and said, “Guy, you’re
enjoying life. You’ve builed a mansion and got yourself flashy cars. Link
me up, dude!”
Dennis smiled handing the steering wheel like a big boy he was. “Are you
ready to sell your soul to the forest of Hoom?” he asked.
“I’m ready to sell my soul to the devil, young man” Joe replied while he
smiled again.
They finally got to the residence to find Edna hitting the door from
inside. She woke up and found herself inside the house with the door locked.
“Somebody help me!” she shouted crying from the sanctum.
“Edna!” Dennis called through a window. Already, people had started
gathering around.
“Dennis?” Edna called on him surprisingly coz he was the last person she
expected to see. “Where is Fred my husband?”
“I should be asking you, and why is the door locked?”
“I don’t know!” she replied in tears.
Dennis and his friend ended up breaking the door then took her to his
mansion which he built while in abroad. He sold his soul to the forest of
Hoom which brought about his successful visa before traveling after his
twin brother’s wedding.
Inside the mansion, all seated in the sitting room even Mr and Mrs Lambert.
Edna narrated the story on how she came back one night with a paper given
to her by nobody. “That’s all I can remember. Please, where is my husband
and my son?” she concluded.
“You are a witch!” Mrs Lambert exclaimed pointing her fingers angrily at
her. “If you know where you took my son to, better go and bring him back!”
“Out of stubbornness my son got married to you with the money I don’t know
how he got it. I know you charmed him” the husband added.
Dennis swiftly stood up, “Mum and Dad, please, stop! Edna here isn’t a
witch. We should put head together to find her family instead of calling
her names!”
“She knows where they are” Mrs Lambert said.
“I don’t know where they are, mother in-law” Edna objected twisting her
fingers in an innocent manner.
“Don’t you dare call me your mother in-law again!” she stood up angrily,
her wrapper nearly fell down which brought about ranting in the living room…
******
Fred and co came out from the forest successfully after a lot of life
saving by Charles. They first went to Lucky’s house to see Becky crying
outside.
“Mum!” Regina began to run to her.
“Regina?” she stood up surprisingly then hugged her while Fred, Charles,
Sam and Agatha watched them. There was a car parked beside some flowers.
“Mum, I’m happy to see you again!”
“So am I my daughter” Becky looked around to see others. “Where is Lucky my
husband? where is your father?” she directed her eyes to her daughter who
began to cry instantly.
Fred had no time to explain to her, so he left the explanation for Sam and
Agatha to make. He hurried into the house, came out with a car key
and walked to the car. He put the key in the ignition then drove to the
place where Becky and co stood watching him amazingly.
“Who’s he and what’s he doing with my husband’s car?” Becky asked.
Fred came out. “I’m just borrowing it, I’ll be back” he looked at Charles.
“Get in” he commanded before he did as he said. As Fred wanted to proceed,
Agatha called him. He looked at her to state her purpose.
“Take it easy on her” she stated.
Fred didn’t say anything to her rather entered into the car and blasted out…
:
TO BE CONTINUED
