Blackwood Forest (English translation)

Chapter 3

Ethan and I have the same schedule today, which means that none of us had classes in the afternoon. I needed to talk to him, he seemed to know something, so I sent him a message to say to go to Sanice, a kind of diner.

The diner is very frequented by teenagers, not only because it is close to the school but also because of the theme and environment. The colours that stand out most in there are mint green and champagne pink, and it is all based on the 50s: the chairs and seats, it has a jukebox that most often plays Elvis Presley. The floor is checkered and has some neon lights that create phrases like "back to the 50's" or "Rock' n Roll". Ethan and I love these kinds of places. Our first date was there.

I was choosing the song when I get the notification with his reply:

                                             "Okay, I'm on my way. Ly"

As soon as I read his message, I put James Arthur's playlist and start walking to the meeting place.

It takes me about five minutes to get there, and I see through the window. Ethan sitting on the same spot where we sat on our first date. After a minute of remembering that afternoon, a chill in my belly develops, but I just ignore it, go through the glass door and head over to the table where he is.

"You were quick," he says as he puts his hand in the air to call Kylie, the girl who was taking customers' orders.

-I was close by.

I smiled at him and took the menu. I chose a strawberry and banana smoothie while Ethan chose pancakes with honey and berries.

-Two straws and four cutlery? -Kylie asks while smiling at me.

-Yes, please.

After Kylie left, I knew she had to start the conversation with Ethan, but I confess that I was even afraid of what he might say.

-So, are you finally going to ask me for a date? It's the time!- He says while laughing.

-Not yet.

-"Yet"..it's not bad anymore...

-The subject that I want to talk to you is kind of serious, so why don't we leave the dating conversation for another day?

-Okay, agree. What's up?

-It has to do with ...

-Chris.- He completed at the same time as me. - I imagined.

-Exactly. You left the table very upset, which is not normal for you.

-You heard what he said so I think it's kind of normal for me to be like this.

-It wasn't just that. I know you, Ethan!

-Mia, it was just that.

Meanwhile, Kylie arrives with our order.

-Then tell me why you don't want to go to the forest to camp. And don't come up with the excuses of myths, please.

-Mia...you wouldn't understand. Forget the subject.

- Have you tried to explain it to me?

He bowed his head and did not answer. It's what he always does when he knew I was right.

- Well, you can start!

-Chris is not who he appears to be, and yes, I know that you don't trust him or like him. You can tell in the disgusted look you make.

-Wow, is it that obvious?

-Yes, it is. One of the things I like about you is that you don't hide your feelings in your eyes as you hide with words. For example, you say that you don't like me at all, but when you look at me, your eyes shine a lot as if ...

-Don't ramble please.- I interrupt while I smile and drink the shake.

-Oh, sorry. Anyway, as I was saying, he is not the person who shows.

-What do you mean?

-When he and Veronica started dating, I had a strange, doubtful feeling about him. Then, on a Wednesday, I saw him leaving school early and followed him. He met with a group of guys and sold some package.

-You don't think he's a drug dealer, do you?

-I don't know, but after that, I decided to investigate his past a bit.

-Well I was going to do that after I leave here, but you saved me a lot of work.

-Not really. There aren't records of him anywhere.

-Wait, what?

-Exactly. I found absolutely nothing about him or his family name, and we both know that this is a bit impossible, Mia...

-Let me see if I understand, is there absolutely nothing about him?

-Just one thing, which has to do with the family name. I found news about a disappearance in his family. His aunt named Caroline Dolan was supposedly a girl who was 19 at the time who disappeared in the forest. She was never seen again, and the searches by the police came to nothing.

-Repeat her name...

-Caroline Dolan.

I remain silent and look down. That name was nothing strange to me...

What year was that?

-1986.

-Are you sure what you're telling me?

-I have Mia.

I admit that my whole body froze and I felt my skin colour turn to the colour of snow. Ethan couldn't be right.

-Are you feeling well? -He asks, as he moves to my side.

-Ethan ... my father had a friend named Caroline Dolan. They and some other friends agreed to explore the forest, but my father did not go because my grandfather fell ill at the time.

-So maybe your dad's friends can help us find out something!

-No, Ethan, they can't. Only one of them has returned and is in an asylum.

-What? Why?

-Well, about the disappearances, I don't know anything. The hospitalised man says he saw all his friends being killed by a man dressed like those men who go or work in nuclear radiation sites but never found clues about it and he was covered in blood when the police found him.

We looked at each other, and the icy silence took over the atmosphere between us. None of us knew what to say or what to think. Something was going on here, and I was going to find out what it was.

-Ethan let's go to the library. Something doesn't quite work, and we can find something there!

-We will!

We got up, went to the counter to pay, and left to go to the library. We were going to find out what was going on, no matter what the cost.