Episode 2 - The question

"Locals have revealed that many years ago, a warlock lived in the area. He never harmed anyone and was very kind, even sharing secret potions or medicines when someone was going through a problem. However, it is said that one day, out of nowhere, he entered the forest. Three very curious teenagers followed the warlock, of whom only one returned, and he was the one who was able to tell the story. The warlock was talking to a creature about 3 meters tall, extremely thin, arguably only a skeleton. It had four arms protruding from its torso and had crooked legs like those of a goat. It was crouching down to communicate with the warlock, in a language the boys could not understand. The warlock then pointed to the ground, where the creature began to do something in the earth with its long arms, as if it were drawing something on the ground, some glyphs. Soon, the ground opened up, and a hole was made with no visible bottom, from where a kind of inexplicable wind came out that out of nowhere began to suck in everything around it, a blue light landed in the hole, dragging the creature into it. The curious teenagers were dragged towards the hole and the warlock couldn't get away, taking them all with him. The creature, two of the boys and the warlock were never seen again, although it is said that it is possible to see their silhouettes in the distance every 5 years of that event, on June 15th."

"No way! Now I'm even more interested," I said with a smile.

"And you know what? I got June 13th and 14th off, and I asked my supervisor if he'd give you the same," he said, surprising me.

"What did he say?" I asked, genuinely excited.

"He said you got the go-ahead for June 14th and 15th, so we can go," he said, looking at his phone.

"Awesome!" I almost shouted.

"But... do you really think it's a good idea? I mean, what if something happens?" he said, sounding a bit skeptical.

"Well, we could have the adventure of a lifetime if something did happen, right?" I said.

"Or we could die," he said.

"That too, but what are the chances?" I asked.

"Well, we're already in this, so what does it matter?" Joe said.

Joe and I started looking for more information about the place we were supposed to stay at. The owner inherited a small hostel near the forest and says his family has taken care of it for more than 10 generations, even before the place became a tourist destination. That's why they can afford to rent at good prices with good infrastructure. Today is June 1st, so we have to wait two weeks for the trip. Since they approved the days we requested, we'll leave on the morning of June 13th and return on the evening of the 16th, a pretty quick trip but if anyone knows nothing about vacations, those are the ones that work in a call center.

"Do you really think anything could happen on this trip?" Joe asked, his voice filled with genuine doubt.

"To be honest, I hope so. Lately, I'm really bored with living like this, doing the same thing every day for a future that doesn't seem to be going anywhere," I confessed.

"Yeah... But hey, at least you're finally out of your parents' house. This apartment might be small, but at least you have something that's yours... At least, that's how I feel," Joe said, trying to cheer me up.

"No, I know. It could be worse, like my mom yelling at me every day or my brother saying horrible things every time I answer him. I just want something different. I don't think it's normal to feel so lost at my age," I said, my tone honestly melancholic.

"Look, there's something positive," Joe said, changing the subject.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh. Check your email," he said.

I grabbed my phone from the table and checked my email. I saw an email about a loan application I submitted a month ago to buy a motorcycle, and they never replied.

"Oh! It was approved!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, what do you think? Shall we go pick up the one they're going to give you tomorrow?" he said with a smile.

"Deal! I'm going to get my motorcycle tomorrow morning!" I said excitedly.

We stayed up late researching the legendary town, reading about attractions, prices, and what to do and what not to do upon arrival. Well, a lot of general information that one researches before a trip. The next day, I woke up at almost 10 a.m., scared to see what had happened so long. I left my room and thought I saw something strange in the living room, but I ignored it and went to find Joe's room to wake him up. It didn't take long for us to get ready to go out and pick up the motorcycle with the credit I had approved, but of course, first I had to stop by the bank to complete the transaction so they could give me the money and sign a bunch of documents—things for responsible adults.

Anyway, after a lot of searching, we managed to get the motorcycle I had wanted so much, and they gave it to me with a helmet as a gift, so I had to buy another one for a passenger, because it would most likely be the motorcycle I would be traveling on from now on.

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And I was correct, today is June 11 and I'm at college right now, I am at class and thinking about the trip that I have ahead. During these weeks, I've dedicated myself to learning how to ride the motorcycle properly, concentrating on my studies and exams, and keeping everything organized at work. It may seem a bit exaggerated, but being away for three days can sometimes be quite a long time. Before a good adventure, everything tends to be more hectic. I think Joe has been pretty much the same, thinking about everything we have to leave in order around the apartment now that we will be leaving it for 3 days.

James, my friend and classmate stopped me before I could put the keys in the bike to start it, so I sat down and looked at him curiously.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Ness! I need to ask you something before you leave," he said, his voice trembling.

"What? Did something happen? My shift starts in about two hours," I said, sounding a bit tired.

"It's pretty important, yes. I was wondering if..." he began.