Fateful Rhyme

2. Whispers of the Past

Diary Entry: October 4th
Location: Cottage, Hardangervidda Plateau

I could hardly believe it—we finally reached our destination! Five small cottages nestled together against the backdrop of the fjord, each one looking like something straight out of a postcard. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine, and I could hear the faint sound of water lapping against the shore. It was breathtaking, truly. Yet, despite the beauty around us, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease that had crept up on me since we'd read that poem.

As we approached the cottages, warm light spilled from the windows, beckoning us in. But something felt wrong. We were in the middle of nowhere, and according to the instructions we'd received, no one else was supposed to be here with us. It was meant to be a week of solitude—just us, the wilderness, and the supplies we brought along.

I remembered signing up for this trip, my heart yearning for an escape. The ad had promised seven days in isolation in the heart of Norway, a chance to hike for hours and completely disconnect from the world. It sounded perfect—an opportunity to clear my head and find some peace away from life's constant noise. The idea of solitude had been intoxicating. But now that we were here, something about the place didn't feel right.

"What's with the lights?" Odessa whispered as we neared the first cottage, her voice barely audible. I saw the same unease in her eyes that I was feeling deep in my bones.

"I thought we were supposed to be alone out here," Ashvin added, glancing around as if he expected someone to jump out from behind a tree at any moment.

Kiro, who had been walking behind us, stepped forward, his brow furrowed as he studied the cottage. "Maybe they're solar-powered," he suggested, nodding toward the small panel attached to the roof. "The lights probably turn on automatically when the sun goes down."

"Solar-powered?" Leon sounded skeptical, though he had his camera raised, ready to capture whatever dramatic moment might unfold.

I watched Kiro's calm demeanor as the tension between us rose. "It's not that strange," he said, his tone reassuring. "We're not exactly in the dark ages. Solar energy is pretty common nowadays."

We approached the cottages, and once we stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over me. The interior was simple but cozy, with wooden beams and soft furnishings. It felt inviting, almost like a home away from home. I couldn't help but admire the contrast between the cozy interior and the rugged wilderness outside.

"This isn't so bad," I said, trying to lighten the mood, though my voice trembled slightly. "If we're going to be isolated for a week, at least it's in a nice place."

"It's not the worst fate in the world. Plus, we can make our own fun," Kiro chimed in, flashing a small smile my way. 

"Against whatever's lurking in the woods," Leon quipped, still fiddling with his camera.

"Thanks for that, Leon," I shot back, rolling my eyes, though a small smile crept onto my face despite myself.

"Just keeping it real," he said with a smirk, but even he seemed more relaxed now.

Ashvin broke the momentary silence. "Let's unpack and figure out what we want to do for dinner. We've got a lot of supplies, right?"

"Yeah, but we should probably decide who's cooking," Odessa said, glancing playfully between us, though there was a seriousness behind her suggestion.

"I vote for Kiro," Leon laughed, gesturing to him. "He's the only one who looks like he knows what he's doing."

"Very funny," Kiro replied, shaking his head with a grin.