Seven Terrible Nights

Ch. 12 "Suspicion"

Josef

Next, I went to Haroon's villa, which was really huge and luxurious. But when I knocked on the door and his father opened it with a rope, it was the same conversation again: "I don't have someone named Haroon here."

So, I left disappointed again.. After that, I went to the rest of my friends' houses: Sami, Seif, and Khalid. And they all gave me the same answer: "There's no one with that name here." And I started to panic and was yelling in the middle of the street, saying, "Where are they? Did I lose a part of my brain? Or maybe they were fictional from the beginning? No, no, no way. They were real! They were my friends and family! They were my everything. No! I am not crazy! I must be... d-dreaming! I-I-...." And I didn't remember what happened until now; that's what made me conclude that I fainted and fell to the ground.

The moment I opened my eyes, I saw that I was on an old bed made of wood, and then I looked around to find myself in a wooden hut. I sat up, rubbing my head and trying to remember how I had ended up in this strange place. A figure appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the bright sun outside. As it stepped closer, I realized that it was a man, dressed in rough clothing and with a wild look in his eyes.

It took me a moment to realize that he was the old man I saw yesterday!
"Who are you?" I asked, feeling a sense of unease creeping over me. And he just stared at me for a moment before speaking. "You're in my home," he said in a gruff voice. "I found you passed out on the road and brought you here to tend to your injuries."

Despite my fear, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. At least I made sure that he was a human like me. "Thank you," I said, even though I wasn't sure what injuries he was referring to. The man grunted and sat down on a nearby chair, staring at me with a penetrating gaze. "What's your name?" he asked abruptly.

I hesitated for a moment before answering. "My name is Josef," I replied, hoping he wouldn't ask any more questions. He nodded, still eyeing me suspiciously. "Why did you pass out, kid?" He asked.

"I was looking for my friends, but I couldn't find them," I said.

He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What are their names?" I hesitated again, not sure if I should trust him. But something in his gaze made me feel like he might be able to help me. "Haroon, Sami, Seif, Peter, Mazen, and Khalid," I said finally.

The man's expression shifted, and I could see a glint of recognition in his eyes. "I know them," he said slowly,then stopped and continued, "and I know where they are, but it's not safe for you to go there right now."

"Why not?" I asked, feeling curious and scared. He didn't answer me, and he turned his back and stood up to do something. It was obvious that he didn't want to answer my question. And then I changed the topic and asked him, "You didn't tell me who you are," and he froze in his place. "Willie, just call me by that," he said.

I didn't want to ask more questions since he looked so uncomfortable.

As Willie moved around the small room, gathering supplies and tending to a fire, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Something about his demeanor made me feel like he was hiding something from me. But I didn't want to push too hard and risk losing his help.

I watched as he prepared a pot of tea, his rough hands moving deftly around the small space. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, and I wondered what he was thinking about.

After a few minutes of silence, he sat down opposite me and handed me a cup of tea. "Drink up," he said gruffly. "You need to keep your strength up if you're going to find your friends."

I took a sip of the hot tea, grateful for the warmth and comfort it provided. "Thank you," I said, looking up at him. "I appreciate everything you've done for me."

Willie grunted in response, but I could see a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're not the first person I've brought back to this hut," he said finally, his gaze distant. "These woods can be dangerous for travelers, especially if they don't know their way around." I nodded, understanding the implication. Willie was a man who lived on the fringes of society, away from the prying eyes of the law. But I didn't feel any fear towards him, only a sense of gratitude for his help.

After a moment, I finished my tea. It was warm and delicious. But I suddenly started to feel a sudden headache, and in my eyes, I saw the whole hut spinning. He was sitting there, looking at me with an evil smile, and then I didn't feel my body, and slowly, I couldn't control myself, and I passed out on his bed.

To be continued...