the boy in the forest

Lavender

Ambrosia's Pov

Now I'm practicing Sahli's Acid Haematin method in my study room. While adding twenty percent of hydrochloric acid into the haemoglobinometer, my phone rings.

" Hello this is Ambrosia speaking" I answer without looking at the contact. 

"Hey Am, it's me your father"

" Oh hey dad," my mood instantly lightening. " What's up?" 

" Your mom's birthday is coming up. It's Monday next week in case u forgot. We want u to come over."

I totally forgot her birthday because I was too busy burying my head in my absorbing chemistry books. I feel bad now. " Of course how could I forget mom's birthday? Don't worry. I'll be heading home on Saturday morning."

" Considering u answered my call this is who speaking blah blah, I couldn't be sure that u don't have a clue on ur mom's upcoming birthday, hun," he chuckles.  He knows me all too well. 

" Whatever dad"

" Ok so see u on Sunday. Take care of ur health, Am. Are u even getting enough sleep? U sound exhausted"

" Yes I sleep soundly at night dad. For now I'm in the middle of an experiment so I'm hanging up dad. See ya." 

Crap! I haven't prepared the present yet.After quickly finishing the test, I grab my car key and head off to the only chemical shop in this small town. I'm making my mom perfume which she is crazy about. Today's Wednesday. So I've got enough time to prepare it before Monday. Thanks to dad for reminding me. 

" What do u need?" the woman sitting behind the counter whose glasses are resting on the bridge of her nose asks me impatiently. She is probably wondering why a teenage girl like me is doing at the chemical shop.

" I want half ounce of sweet almond oil, two ounces of ethanol and a brown glass bottle."

" Are u sure u know what you are going to do with these? And may I know why u r purchasing things which I'm sure are not necessary in daily life? "

Nosy much? Whatever I do is none of her business. I swallowed my annoyance and sign," I'm making perfume for my mom's birthday as a present. Plus I'm a medical student so u don't have to worry about me exploding things." 

She carefully packs what I ordered in a wooden box before I pay for them. I lift the box tightly and carry it to my car. After strapping the box on the passenger seat, I insert the key in the ignition and start the car.

On the way back home, I bought a bunch of white rose to make essential oil. There is one more thing I need in order to make a perfect birthday present. Guess what? Of course lavender. But it's said that lavender r sold out and wouldn't be in stock till Sunday. I can't wait for Sunday. That's a problem. Where can I get freaking lavender? 

There's one way I could find them. I will have to risk tho. Exploring the forest. Do I still want to get flowers? Yes. They are mom's favourite. I have been on lots of camping trip when I was in high school. And what could happen at worst if I wander about the forest a bit? Right?

I've been tempting to enter the forest since the first day here. It's just that my neighbour, a seventy year old lady, was telling me not to be curious and go in there as there were rumors about ghosts, vampires and missing people  when she was my age? 

Seriously? Vampire? At this age, almost everything is about science. May be she's crazy about Robert Pattinson. Don't get me wrong. I like him too but I don't believe in supernatural things. 

When I reach home, Gemma is laying in a corner glaring at me. She doesn't even come greet me. She's getting mad at me for leaving her alone, I guess.  I fill dog's food in the bowl which is sitting in front of her. 

" Eat up Gemma, we have somewhere to go after u r done eating," I pat her and go up the flight of stairs to my room. I'm going to search for lavender before it gets dark. I changed into pink fuzzy sweater and sweatpants. No I'm not wearing jeans since they are too tight and uncomfortable when I go for a walk. I grab my backpack and staff the pocket knife and flashlight in case I take a bit long and it gets dark before I reach home. 

After wrapping the collar around Gemma's neck, we start our lavender searching task. The forest seems familiar since I have been in there for like three or four times in my dream. Yea it's the exact same, I remember it crystal clear. That's quite creepy. 

We have been going in a bit but I still don't see anything near lavender. It's getting dark so I decide to go back. Huu! Before I make my way home, I see a glimpse of what looks like a cottage.

A cottage in the middle of the wood? " Am I hallucinating Gemma? Do u see that too?" Gemma looks up at me since I say her name. When I don't tell anything, she looks ahead in the direction of the cottage. May be she sees it too.

It's  getting darker. Gemma's going pretty fast and I have to grip on her leash and almost run to catch up with her until I trip on a log. Oh my god, is my nightmare going alive? 

" Gemma, stay close to me" She's growling like she sees a thief. " Shut up Gemma. Stop growling." Normally she's a very obedient girl. But now she's acting like she doesn't hear what I'm saying. 

Chill runs down my spine when I notice Gemma looking behind me and barking. I turn around and my worst fear bubbles up and resurface. Those two bright green light. I scream at the top of my lungs and feel my head going lightheaded. Soon enough Gemma's barking die down and I am welcomed by peaceful unconsciousness.

Thank u for reading my story guys. I love u my happy pills. See u at the next chapter.