The Guy I Met in Aokigahara Forest (One-Shot)

The Guy I Met in Aokigahara Forest

The Guy I Met in Aokigahara Forest

"AOKIGAHARA FOREST. The forest situated at the slope of Mount Fuji in Japan known to be one of the popular suicide places in the world. It's known as "Suicide Forest". After the publication of a best seller book in the 1960s the rate of suicide rates was seen to be increased. Each year, on average, 50 to 100 people come to the place to end their lives."

I closed my eyes after reading some articles about the said suicidal forest in Japan.

I am here in Japan for vacation and one of my plans is to visit that famous forest. Other people may find that place creepy but I find it beautiful.

I am not a suicidal person. I'll just go there because I want to explore, I want to experience how does it feel inside that forest.

I packed all the things I would need for me to survive and to be able to come back here. Map, compass, flashlight, a little amount of foods and a perfect outfit in that cold woods.

I feel nervous and excited simultaenously as I step my foot inside the woods. It was silent that only you could hear is the blow of the wind and my footsteps. Trees are everywhere and if you don't have a device that would keep you on track, you'll lost yourself inside this sea of trees.

Speaking of that..I couldn't find my compass and I think, I'm already lost.

"Oh, this is fucking not good," I murmured to myself.

I just put it on my pocket a while ago but I think I dropped it.

I turned to go back to find my compass but I haven't found it. To make the situation worse, I'm taking the wrong way.

How would I find the exit of this forest? I've already walked too far from the entrance and it's already getting dark.

I walk and walk and walk inside the woods to find the exit. I'm already tired but I've seen nothing but trees here.

Another few minutes of walking and I saw a man sitting at the root of a tree and staring at his compass. I sighed when I saw him. Finally, I've seen hope.

"H-Hi," I greeted trying to get his attention.

He tilted his head to look at me but he didn't answered my greetings.

"Uhm..I'm Hailey," I introduced myself to him.

I know it's not good to talk to a stranger especially that I am lost in a forest with no other people around us. It can be my weakness, but I need help so that I could get out of here.

"Von," he said shortly.

"Nice name, Von-- as short as your reply," I whispered at the last statement. "Are you a tourist? Because me, I am," I chuckled. He looked like a Filipino just like me.

He didn't speak again. He seldomly respond to what I am saying but I continued talking to him. But as the conversation goes on, his replies became longer.

"So, why are you in this forest?" I asked out of curiousity.

"This place is famous for being the second top place of suicide. This is where I wanna end my life," he remarked. His voice is so sad, I felt the sadness in it.

"Why would you do that?" I consoled.

"This world isn't fair for me. I'm so tired being myself in this world. I'm so tired about everything," he babbled.

"You know what, if you're tired you can rest for a while but not kill yourself. Life isn't given for us just to end it, you should live it no matter how unfair it is."

He just bowed his head and didn't answer. He's just silent. I hope he listens to my words.

"Come with me, we'll get out of here," I commanded. "You have a compass, I have a flashlight and a map. I think we're really meant to meet," I giggled.

"I don't want to get out of here. Just go get yourself out."

"No. I won't leave you here," I insisted.

I grab his hand and held it that made him shock.

"Let's get out of here," I happily said.

We started walking around and looking for the exit. I'm holding his hand the whole whole time we're walking. When I saw the rope that would lead us to the entrance of the forest, I was overjoyed.

"We're almost there!" I exclaimed in excitement while he's just silent beside me.

When we got out of the forest, I let go of his hand.

"What's your address here in Japan?" I asked.

"I'm not getting out of here," he mumbled instead of answering my question.

"What? Why?" I confusely asked.

"I didn't told it to you when we were inside the forest because I don't wanna scare you," he said and my eyebrows met, "my body is inside this forest. I don't wanna leave my body here."

"W-What?"

My heart is pounding and I felt a chill in my body about his statement.

I thought I have convinced him for not ending his life but I was too late for that because he already did it.

That guy I met in Aokigahara forest already committed suicide.

I looked at him quivering and crying as he walk back into the woods and vanish. Witnessing death in this beautiful forest is sorrowful. This bewitching place don't deserve to be a suicide place.