FEAR, HOPE and LOVE

Chapter 2: A new day, a new life.

«Chapter 2»

Esovax awoke to a splitting headache as he tried to recall what had happened. He found himself in unfamiliar territory.

"At least the bed is well made!" he thought to himself as he observed his surroundings. The four walls along him had photos and memorabilia of unknown identities. Nevertheless he didn't feel threatened as he smelt a hearty breakfast of pancakes and bacon. The morning sounds of the birds chirping and squirrels chattering reminded Esovax of multiple summer camps he attended while in middle school. It was reminiscence of the childish immature days where he would go skinny dipping with his brother and close friends.

Valeria appeared out of nowhere as she whisked a plate of freshly made piping hot pancakes with greasy bacon past him and placed it on the table. She hadn't noticed that Esovax had already been awake and was oblivious to his gaping mouth.

"Oh my god. What happened?" he asked. He was relieved yet shocked. He was conspiring theories on how had he ended up in Valeria's house but none seemed possible.

"You were soundly asleep in the VIP lounge when you abruptly shook spontaneously and I had to bring you out. I guessed you had a horrific nightmare." Valeria replied.

"Ah... I see, I am terribly sorry for causing a scene and much hassle for you. Perhaps I should leave now." Esovax said convincingly. But Valeria was having nothing of it.

"Its alright! I have already prepared breakfast for you. You might as well eat it before you go!" she uttered chirpily.

Esovax ate his breakfast while conversing with Valeria, it has been ages since they last met. He was always searching a girl whom he could spend the rest of his life and Valeria fitted right in. She was athletic and savvy and she was a girl next door. None of the glam and heartbreaks that socialites give. You could picture her as a soccer mum in a minivan with three kids in their shin guards and jerseys driving to a field where she would cheer on her little boys to victory.

Valeria had a promising career in law but a horrendous lawsuit involving two giant corporations and an error from her part barred her from practicing for years. It didn't help that her mother was suffering from a terminal chronic illness so Valeria had to spend elephantine amounts of time and yet shouldering insurmountable amounts of pressure from her financial strains and depression from her career demise. Being a club attendant certainly wasn't too shabby. It paid OK yet she had time to spare for her mum.

But ever since her mum passed away, she sought contentment in meeting young successful men who would shower her with wealth and love but she always had her heart broken from having her partners cheating on her.

Esovax passed the opportunity to converse with Valeria longer as he invited himself out of her house to run errands before the night had settled.

"Don't forget your coat!" Valeria yelled from kitchen.

She ran and wished Esovax goodbye as she smiled cheerfully at him. She wanted to scream "Please don't leave!" but the words just wouldn't leave her mouth. She was left with her mouth partially open and a heart full of regret.

Valeria lived in a district surburb where it had beautiful scenery and golden brown pastures. Pine trees littered the roads and it resembled a scene from a movie. It was visually stunning, more to the point of being virtual.

Esovax decided to take a walk instead of hitchhiking. He entered a forest trail and was drawn towards the massive pillars of nature that blocked the scorching sunlight and the wide array of colours the flowers put on display.

As he trekked deeper into Sherborn Forest his six sense had been twitched, a foul act had been committed. He didn't know where it had happened neither did he know what had occurred. He was desperate to uncover the shrouds of mystery this illusive forest had been hiding from its visitors.