Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 7: Runaway

Landa felt extremely angry with Logan as he had read the letter. Landa didn't want anyone else to know. This was her problem. It was her job to find and rescue Mira.

"Where is Lost Surfer's Hollow? Does anyone know the story behind it?" asked Goldtin nervously. The name made all of them shiver with fright.

Logan nodded and started the story. Landa wondered how he knew.

"About ten years ago, Lost Surfer's Hollow was a beautiful palace. It had a different name, but that's not important. A family of four lived there. A mom, dad, daughter, and son. Their last name was Surfer. They were a really happy family and they got along very well. Their daughter, Isabel, was very gorgeous and nearing marriage age. Many men wanted her, but her parents were very picky. They wanted a great guy for her. One day, a handsome blonde guy came over to the Surfer's house to seek Isabel's hand in marriage. The villagers thought this man would be perfect for Isabel. They were all sure her parents would accept this gentleman's offer.

"The parents let the man go out with Isabel. Over time, Isabel and the guy fell in love. They loved each other deeply. Isabel told her parents of her love for this gentleman and how she would be very happy to marry him. Her parents, on the other hand, had other plans."

"What is the guy's name?" asked Landa urgently. She did not want to know the answer. She didn't even listen when Logan answered. She only asked because some force was trying to close her mind and make her lose attention and she didn't want to miss any part of the story, so she asked a random question. While Logan was answering it, Landa was fighting not to close her mind. It was painful. She made pained expressions on her face, but eventually, she managed to conquer the invisible force. Logan was continuing his story. "Just in time," thought Landa, relieved.

"Isabel pleaded with her parents earnestly. Even the man begged. He tried bribing them. He tried everything. But it was no use. The parents remained stubborn.

"One day, Isabel, who had cried hard because she couldn't marry the man she dearly loved, asked her parents why she couldn't have him. They simply said because he has an evil look around him. Just then, someone rang their doorbell. All three of them rushed to the door and were surprised to see Isabel's lover. He smiled at Isabel, who was glad to see him. Then, he turned his attention to the parents. He said, 'I give you one more chance. May I marry your daughter Isabel?' Isabel's parents knew he was going to ask them this. They had an answer ready for him. Isabel looked at them, hopeful, but she was to be very disappointed for they said, 'No! Never! Now stop asking that. The answer is no and forever will be!' The man, looking very stern and grave, said, 'That is your final word? Fine! But you will regret it. Tonight, at exactly midnight, a curse will fall upon your household and your grand palace. You will die!' And with that, he turned and was never seen again.

"Isabel fell to her knees, sobbing, looking after him until he was a small dot in the distance. Her parents were actually relieved. They said, 'We finally got rid of him! By the way, you are to marry a poor, gentle farmer, Isabel.'

"When Isabel heard that, she got up and ran to her room. She cried a long time, watching the clock tick. At two hours to midnight, her brother came in and tried to comfort her. Isabel explained her miseries to him, even though he was only eight at the time. Finally, she stood up, hugged her little brother tightly, and said, 'Farewell, my dear brother! Be brave. Be strong. I am going away. I love you! Farewell!' And with giving her brother a quick kiss on his blonde head, she ran outside, weeping for her brother. She didn't even bother saying good-bye to her parents. That night, she committed suicide."

After a short pause, Logan continued sadly.

"Midnight came. The parents and little boy sat huddled together as they waited for death to devour them. They heard a hushing voice all around them while ghosts surrounded them, making them lose all hope and be miserable. The voice spoke, 'Cursed are you! I couldn't have true love. Curse this house and make it invisible until a young girl comes upon it! Curse this household!' And then, a blue-headed creature appeared and bit the parents in the necks with his poisonous red fangs."