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, Luckyâs 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, âHow dare you bring a conscious woman into the
secrete hut of Hoom!?â
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 didnât believe again in the rumor that says she cheated on him. But if
actually she didnât, how can one explain Charlesâ 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
couldnât wait to hear from his wife. He looked at the old man.
âIâm Fred Lambert.. â
âSpare me the introduction!â the man interrupted harshly with widened eyes.
âThe 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 safelyâ
âYou mean Charles?â Fred asked curiously. âAnd what do you mean by heâs 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!â
The man didnât 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 wasnât the real son of Fred. He glanced at the women to know
the actual wife of Fred but couldnât 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.
âWhat do I do now?â
âYou go back homeâ
âI guess after taking my wife with meâ
âNo!â
âWhat?!â Fred provorked. âI spent three days journey all the way from home
to this forest just to get her, and youâre telling me that Iâll go back
without her!!â
The man smiled but suddenly frowned with widened eyes looking at him. âYou
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, youâll see your wife likewise the
other lady lying beside herâ he pointed at Becky.
âBut are there still alive?â Sam asked calmly.
âThey are just unconsciousâ 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, âYou will see
your mum when we get back home, trust meâ
âBut did you see her inside the hut?â she asked terrifyingly.
âYes dearâ
âCharle, lead the wayâ Agatha said looking at him. Fred interrupted when
they wanted to proceed then glared at Charles.
âSon, do you have any idea why Ryanie said youâll be the one to lead us
back home?â
âWhoâs Ryanie?â
âThe woman that paddled the boatâ
âMaybe because everything in the forest obeys meâ Charles told his story on
how they got there and how he also saw a man who called him âMy sonâ from
the river. After that, he looked at Fred and said, âDad, are you really my
father?â
Silence creep in. Not that Fred didnât want to answer him but because he
had no prove of his justification which he had in mind that truly Charles
wasnât his son. He couldnât think of anything else apart from Edna, so he
broke the silence and said with a very low but deadly voice, âWhich way are
we following young leader?â
âThis wayâ Charles pointed at the direction the giant monkey followed.
âThank youâ Fred angrily hurried out as everybody watched him. His
movements alone showed that there would be a very big problem at homeâŠ.
********
THREE DAYS LATER
Back home, Dennis, the twin brother of Fred, rode on a car with his friend,
Joe. They were actually heading to Fredâs 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, âGuy, youâre
enjoying life. Youâve builed a mansion and got yourself flashy cars. Link
me up, dude!â
Dennis smiled handing the steering wheel like a big boy he was. âAre you
ready to sell your soul to the forest of Hoom?â he asked.
âIâm ready to sell my soul to the devil, young manâ 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.
âSomebody help me!â she shouted crying from the sanctum.
âEdna!â Dennis called through a window. Already, people had started
gathering around.
âDennis?â Edna called on him surprisingly coz he was the last person she
expected to see. âWhere is Fred my husband?â
âI should be asking you, and why is the door locked?â
âI donât know!â 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 brotherâs 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. âThatâs all I can remember. Please, where is my husband
and my son?â she concluded.
âYou are a witch!â Mrs Lambert exclaimed pointing her fingers angrily at
her. âIf you know where you took my son to, better go and bring him back!â
âOut of stubbornness my son got married to you with the money I donât know
how he got it. I know you charmed himâ the husband added.
Dennis swiftly stood up, âMum and Dad, please, stop! Edna here isnât a
witch. We should put head together to find her family instead of calling
her names!â
âShe knows where they areâ Mrs Lambert said.
âI donât know where they are, mother in-lawâ Edna objected twisting her
fingers in an innocent manner.
âDonât you dare call me your mother in-law again!â she stood up angrily,
her wrapper nearly fell down which brought about ranting in the living roomâŠ
******
Fred and co came out from the forest successfully after a lot of life
saving by Charles. They first went to Luckyâs house to see Becky crying
outside.
âMum!â Regina began to run to her.
âRegina?â she stood up surprisingly then hugged her while Fred, Charles,
Sam and Agatha watched them. There was a car parked beside some flowers.
âMum, Iâm happy to see you again!â
âSo am I my daughterâ Becky looked around to see others. âWhere is Lucky my
husband? where is your father?â 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.
âWhoâs he and whatâs he doing with my husbandâs car?â Becky asked.
Fred came out. âIâm just borrowing it, Iâll be backâ he looked at Charles.
âGet inâ he commanded before he did as he said. As Fred wanted to proceed,
Agatha called him. He looked at her to state her purpose.
âTake it easy on herâ she stated.
Fred didnât say anything to her rather entered into the car and blasted outâŠ
:
TO BE CONTINUED