The Unknown

CHAPTER 1

''He is waking up.''

''Hello sir. My name is Robert. Some hunters found you unconscious near a little cabin. Your head was a little bit injured but I patched everything up and you can continue your life normally. Now, do you remember what happened?''

''I... I don't remember. Is Zoe okay?''

''I am sorry sir but hunters said that you were the only one near the cabin. Who is Zoe? Do you remember what happened to Zoe?''

''She uh... I think she was in the cabin when I was sitting on the bank. Then I heard a scream. I ran to the cabin but suddenly I fell to the ground. I think someone hit my head. The last thing I saw was Zoe's figure.''

''I understand. Are you alright now?''

''Yes, yes I think so. By the way... where am I?''

''You are in a village called Ashold.''

''How far is the cabin?''

''It should take five or six minutes to walk there.''

''Thank you for patching me up. But I should go now. I don't know where Zoe is and I will not get out of this village until I find her. Damn it, my phone is broken. I guess the fall break it. Can I use your phone Mr. Robert?''

''We don't use phones here sir. We do not communicate with outer world. A lot of people come here to listen to their minds. To relax. I hope you enjoy your visit to Ashold.''

''Wha... Okay, thank you.''

No phones? It was weird. I am glad that I am alive and well but I don't think that I like those people. I should go see the sheriff. Maybe he can help me finding Zoe.

The village is silent. No doubt that it's relaxing but it feels hopeless at the same time. All the people are staring at me when I walk past them. Maybe because I am an outsider? But no matter what, I do not like it. There is something wrong with this village. I feel more stressed as I come closer to the outpost.

''Is there anything I can help you with?''

''Uhh.. I am looking for the sheriff.''

''I am the sheriff. What's wrong?''

''I lost my uhh... friend in the forest last night. I hope you can help me find her.''

''Can you give me more detail sir?''

''There is a little cabin in the forest not very far from here. We are the settlers of Svailen. The cabin should be in between the two villages.''

''Sir... Nearest village is Craunhar. And it is really far from here. There is no near village around.''

''What? There must be a mistake? Although I haven't heard of Ashold before. Do you know Svailen?''

''No sir. Never heard it before.''

That is so weird. I am losing him. I should come straightly to the point.

''So there is a little cabin in the forest. Someone kidnapped my friend and I need to find her as soon as I can. Can you help me?''

''I will see what I can do. Now please leave me alone. I got an important thing to do now.''

''Okay thank you.''

What is happening in this town? I have never heard of Ashold before. But I am so sure that the forest is close to my village. I should take some rest and dive in the forest after I talk to sheriff again. I can see the cafeteria from here. It's a really small village actually. There is a church, the outpost, cafeteria, village clinic and quay. Quay? Something's wrong. There is a lake here. I need a map. I feel a bit scared now. Because I think the quay is not the only problem. There is no house in the village...