Rainy night....

How relaxing isn't it?

When one comes home tired from their day, night is their gate away. Especially when rain accompanies the chilling night.

The sound of the falling drops of rainwater, that hits the glass or wooden windows, offers a tapping noise that seems to cause tingles in one's ears.

The cold breeze that seems to bring comfort, as if our whole being was being embraced by cold hands.

Making one initiate to trap themselves in a blanket, nestling comfortably. Allowing us to succumb deeply in our sleep.

While we drink our craved hot drinks to keep us warm. Indulging ourselves with the temporary rest we rarely have. An enticing offer no one can refuse.

Ah, how fascinating...truly is the rainy night.

Especially.... When the blood of someone mixes with the puddle of water it produces where no one would see. As the rain will wash away the crimson colour completely, erasing its trace, before the sun even rises.

When the cries of the sufferer drowned by the sound of the rain.

When the falling raindrops blurred the vision of someone's eyes as it cascades.

Ah....the perfect time to murder someone.

After all , rarely anyone goes out to enjoy the rain in the dark night.... right? And if there is...

Who would witness the gruesome act, if others prefer to stay at home during such a time?

Is it you? Is it her or him? Who....?

____________

Pitter.....patter.....

The constant dropping of water from the roof of the bakery, to the water-filled empty flower pot outside the store echoed through the ears of the person standing near the pot.

Holding his backpack in his chest, the man hugged it tightly. As if searching for warmth from the object he holds.

Inside his mind he slaps his self two times, one for never checking the weather for today ; and the other for not bringing an umbrella everyday and also passing by this bakery shop just to buy his favorite bread. Well, maybe if he never bought the caramelized pastries he likes, he wouldn't be stranded in the place.

"Should've controlled your sugar cravings" he murmured to himself as he shivers with the cold atmosphere. He can't go to the nearest bus stop because of the heavy rain. He can only stand under the roof outside of the self-service bakery hoping a vehicle would pass by his current location.

He can't even call someone to pick him up, because he is living in an apartment building far away from his hometown. And also... His phone battery is dead right now.

"Owen, next time don't forget to bring umbrellas..." He said to himself accompanied by a sigh of disappointment. He couldn't tell if it was for the unexpected weather or for himself.

He waited for a long time yet no bus passed by his location. With a sigh, that he couldn't count how many times he let out, he positioned the backpack above his head. Intending to use it as a shield to the rain.

Then with a tight clutch on his temporary shield, he runs toward the bus stop. He ran quickly, never minding the water that brush passed his face as he ran with speed.

After a 5 mins run, he finally reached his destination. Seeking shelter from the roof of the bus stop, soaked , he waits for a bus to pass by.

And not too long after he arrived, he sees a bus nearing the bus stop. He eagerly raises his hand to let the driver see his presence. Once the bus stopped at the station, he quickly loaded the vehicle.

Owen POV

I sigh with relief as I boarded the bus.

I thought I would spend the night inside the self-service bakery I stubbornly visits. Even though my class ends at 6:30 pm, while not bringing an umbrella for sudden weather changes like this.

Ah, what a good idea Owen....knowing that things like this could happen you still followed your cravings while being unprepared. I applaud you for that... Wooohhhh!

Third person POV

Looking around the bus, he saw that there were only three people inside beside him.

A women wearing formal attire, an old man reading a news paper in his hand, and a man wearing a black hood with a mask covering the lower part of his face.

And that man....seems to be staring at his directions.

"Kid, where's your destination...?" The voice of the driver pulled him out from his chilling situation for a moment. As he asked him about where he want to go.

"Uhmm, Cerulean park...." He says as he pays for his fair. He made his way to his seat, which is at the back of the bus. As he walk toward his seat, he could feel the man's gaze seem to follow him. Althought he thought he might just be hallucinating, he can't help but turn his head to check.

And.....he is right, the man is staring at him, turning his head as he stares creepily at the boy making his way to the back of the bus.

Others will confront such behavior. But for Owen who's courage is non-existent at this type of situation, he chose to remain silent. Hoping that the man's gaze would move away from him.

But perhaps the man stare heavily at Owen, the other people seem to feel it too and couldn't help but point out the man's behavior.

"Hey young man at the 7th row of the bus, do you need anything with this boy? If not, stop staring at him, you look like a creep! you're making him feel uncomfortable can't you see?!" The woman in business attire said sharply at the suspicious man.

"Yes I agree you stare like you want to do something bad to him....please stop making people uncomfortable." The old man stated, agreeing to the woman words toward the man.

The said man then reluctantly retracted his gaze at the boy, but not before casting a dark glance at the other two passenger of the bus. Owen sigh a relief as he don't feel the man stare anymore. He thank the two people who only gave him a smile.

After what's seems to be an eternity for Owen, the bus finally reached his destination. The rain also weakened, although it's still pouring down it is not as heavy like before.

After thanking the other passengers again, Owen then unboarded the transportation vehicle.

And coincidentally, the man also get off the bus. Owen was unaware of this fact, as he never looked back again for fear that the man was staring at him again.

Which is a very stupid idea, because if he looks back he will see the man pulling out the handkerchief in his pocket. And as the bus drove away already, no one would see a man trapped the boy in his arm as he cover his nose with the smeared handkerchief.

Whoosh...............

The leaves falls in the ground as the wind makes them sway aggressively.

The place is full of tall trees in sight,enormous rocks positioned in the moist ground. Puddle of waters in the soil, the remains of the heavy rain that occurred earlier.

The forest seems isolated but don't be manipulated by such sight. This place was known for being a place full of predators. That despite of it being a good spot for hunting, no one attempts to go here. Not only predators reside here, this place is also known as a Death forest.

A long time ago, this was once a place that reeks of peace. A place for healing those emotions that destroy us.

It was....until a gruesome incident occurred in this place.

Once a place of paradise, became a bloodbath. Incidents of multiple people dying in this place occurred. A macabre that took the lives of many. But it was never the reason why this place was given such title.

Instead it was because many people that visits this place was never seen again. As if they vanished from thin air once they entered the forest. The police still can't find the missing people until now.

This made many speculations arise that contributed on why this place was now called a Death forest. The town people believe that those people who went missing here, was trapped by the vengeful soul of those that died in the macabre incident back then.

But others oppose such thoughts of course saying that maybe those people just got mauled by the wild animals that lives there. But still the forest being curse became a popular theory in the whole town, especially when a famous haunted place explorer went missing here.

Due to the popularity of the place, he went out to the forest to capture the said vengeful spirits that haunts the place, or perhaps debunk the theories surrounding it. But instead of proving anything he vanished and was never seen again. This became the last straw for the authority to ban people from going to this place. Until now the mysteries of this place still remains uncovered.

Yet..... Someone broke the rule that prohibits others to come to this place.

He was never afraid of those rumours about this forest. He is never scared of anything. Instead... A place of macabre is his home. Such place fascinate him, the gruesome history attracts him. He loves place where darkness resides.

That is why if you venture deeper in the Forest, you'll find a cabin built somewhere in this place.

It was a dilapidated house, it was empty inside yet if one observes the place attentively, they'll see a hidden compartment, large enough for someone to venture,somewhere in the floor.

Once opened you'll see a long stair that leads to an underground tunnel. If you follow the path, the end of the tunnel will lead you again to a longer stair. Where once you ascended to the peak, you will see a door. That once you opened, you'll discover that you're now on top of the mountain. Where a sight of a two floor cabin surrounded by trees can be seen.

This is his den.

A perfect place for him to hide his presence from this world.

And this place will now be the cage of Owen.

Who now lays on the soft bed inside one of the room in the 2nd floor of the cabin. His eyes remain close until now, the effect of the substance still affecting him. His feet are chained in the bed,his clothes are also changed into a big shirt. He is wearing nothing but a boxer down there.

And if he opens his eyes, he'll see a man staring darkly in his small frame sleeping in the bed.

________________

Owen POV

Ah..... My head hurts.

Did I sleep too long? What happened yesterday?

Why is it so cold?....

I gently massage my temples, hoping the migraine will go away. After some time, I open my eyes to look at my surroundings.

I jolted up from my bed, no it's not my bed. This place is not my place!

Where am I?! Then, I remember buying pastries from that self-service bakery where I got stuck because of the rain because I forgot to bring an umbrella..... whereas after sometime I ran toward the bus stop then I boarded the bus..... And then this creepy man stared at me but stopped doing that because of the kind sister and grandpa who pointed him out. And then I unboarded the bus to walk toward my apartment...... And then..... I seem to be attacked by someone who covered my mouth with a handkerchief that made me lose consciousness ......

I am kidnapped.... <(•0•)>!

Thinking of this, I immediately got up from bed to escape this place. I tried to run toward the door but my attempt was unsuccessful as something seems to restrict me from moving my feet. Only then did I notice that I was chained to the bed.

I also notice that I'm only wearing a big t-shirt that reached my thigh and underneath was nothing but a boxer!

Who changed my clothes?! I am clearly untouched because that place doesn't hurt....

But maybe..... the kidnapper wants me awake before he does that horrible act?!

Am I...gonna be graped? And then be killed afterwards?! I don't want to die.....

The negative thoughts rush in my mind as soon as I see my current state. I started to hyperventilate, oxygen slowly leaving my body. My mind couldn't think properly, as my vision starts to blur. I clutched my chest as I tried to calm my breathing.

Halfway through my panic attack, I heard the sound of the door opening in the back. Then I felt someone embrace me, patting my back gently. Scared, I struggle to get out of his grasp but my meager strength won't let me. Then, I heard a deep voice saying;

"Shhhhhh, it's okay baby, you'll be okay just breathe....." The voice said, it was a man.

I should be thankful that someone was here for me..... But I'm kidnapped.

So, instead of calming my panic attack, it worsened and then... I passed out. The last thing I heard was the man's curse," Shit!"

A/n: Pls vote.........and also comment if you like the story.

Third person POV:

Sitting in the dark room is a petite figure of a boy, he can't move. He seems to be caged in his sitting position by some unknown force. He can't make any noises to ask for help. He can only watch the horrific scene unfold in front of him.

In his surroundings, a dark shadow emerges on every corner of the room. Slowly, they made their way toward his position. Terrified, yet he can't do anything to escape.

As the shadows reach his place, they begin to devour his being. The gelid touch from the shadows enveloped him slowly. To his horror, the shadows seem to gently caress the places of his being it covers with its darkness.

He don't like it.

He wants to escape, yet without control over his body he can only endure, waiting for it to stop.

Seeing that he had no escape from this thing, he starts to panic. His breathing begins to be in a mess, his eyes blurry from the lack of oxygen.

In his anxious state he hears a voice.

O...we...n

A faint voice coming from somewhere seems to call a name. It seems familiar....

Owen.....

Who is that.... Please help....

Owen!

The boy in the bed jolted up from his nightmare. He looks around, clutching his chest as he catches his breath. He sighs a relief when he realizes it was just a nightmare. The shadows don't exist.

Only, a person looking at him is in the room......

Then, his joy was short-lived.When he remembers that his dream was safer than his situation right now.

He is kidnapped, and the person responsible is right beside him.

Looking at him with emotions he couldn't read.

Only now did he have a chance to observe the man's appearance.

He couldn't help but admire the man's features. It was too perfect.

Eyes that seem sharp when looking at another being, pointed nose that many envies, reddish lip that is perfectly sculpted, a sharp jawline perfectly carved and a hair that reaches his eyebrow that suits his feature.

This man is majestic.......

But remembering how he is the man's captive, he couldn't fully admire the man's appearance. Instead he uttered a question to the man.

"Who....are you? And why....did you kidnapped me" The first word that came out of Owen's mouth after he was kept captive by the man.

The man perplexed by his sudden question froze for a second before answering his inquiry with a smile adorning his lips.

"I'm Blake....and as for why I imprisoned you here...I'm pretty sure you still remember the incident that occurred that night... Think about it... little one....it will give you the answer you want" The man told Owen, a malicious smirk replaces the soft smile on his face, as he gives hints about his reason why Owen is being locked in this place.

Owen froze when he heard the man mention an incident that occurred on a specific night and that familiar nickname only that man calls him. He looks at the man with fear in his eyes as he remembers the horrifying things he witnessed during that night.

This man....this can't be...

Flashback.....

"This bread is too sweet but just right for my liking...." Owen said as he munched on the pastries he bought at the bakery near the bus stopped.

It was around 6 pm now, it was unusually dark at the moment. Dark clouds slowly covered the sky. The cold wind prickling his skin. A sign that it might rain soon.

'Ah, I should hurry now althought I have an umbrella but I don't want to walk in a rainy path....I should take the short cut to reach my apartment faster....'

Owen thought to himself, he quickly detoured his way to the shortcut that led toward the village he was residing. It was a path surrounded by tall trees, a pavement was built that serves as a guide for anyone who wants to venture the path. It was dimly lit, only the light the street lamp emits is the lumine. A path with the view of nature.

Althought occasionally the lamps would flicker, the ambience of the path was nothing but peace.

The tree leaves rustling due to the wind passing by.

The crickets making a sound as they surrounded and searched for warmth in the street lamps.

The whistling sound of the breeze that warned people for the impending storm that was to cascade.

A peaceful environment for Owen.

But was shattered when someone from inside the woods suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

The sight terrified Owen, as the person in front of him had many wounds on his body. But what made it more terrifying was that the bruises on the man's body seem to be of deliberate causes. It was a bloody scene.

Like someone was trying to murder him...

"Please call the police..... Or help me hide from him!" The man had a frantic look in his eyes, he looked at Owen desperately asking for help. Tightly grasping Owen's shoulder as he tells his plea.

Owen came out of his daze, he worriedly looked at the man, " Okay but let's look for a place to hide first okay....how about we go to my apartment....it's near here...." He suggested worried that the culprit behind this is near. He needs to make sure they are safe temporarily before he calls the police. He doesn't want to risk their safety any further.

The man agreed with his suggestion. Helping the man, they run toward Owen's residence. Soon they enter the apartment he rents for himself.

After locking the door, Owen hurriedly calls the police. Just as he dials the station number, the power suddenly goes off.

This made their heart drop, after all how can they call for help if there is no signal?......

Owen, quickly opened the flashlight of his phone directing it at the man who currently sits on the sofa in the living room.

"What should we do....? We can't call for help at the moment.....?" Owen said worriedly as he is concerned for the man's safety. He lives in a neighborhood with houses that have big distance to each other. He chose this village because he doesn't like to communicate with others. This situation made him regret choosing this apartment area.

"It's too dangerous to go to the police station right now.....at any moment he could appear......!" The man said frightened, his voice trembling at this terrifying thought.

And......the man seems to call out his idea, when a knock is heard on the front door of the apartment. This causes the two people to freeze in their place. No one uttered a word, silence took over the place. They look at each other not knowing what to do.

But they sighed a relief, when the person outside spoke.

"Delivery!, is anyone home.....?" Owen suddenly remembered that he had a parcel to be delivered today. Thinking of this he darted his eyes toward the man.

"Stay here.... I'm just gonna receive my parcel okay?" He said to the wounded man, who only nods his head.

Owen went to pick up his delivery, he opened the front door and to his horror, what greeted his eyes was the sight of a masked man that pointed his gun toward his direction.

"Ah, so easy to fool......" The masked man said to Owen, his words full of mirth as he looks at the boy in front of him.

He took steps towards Owen who stepped back in return. Owen couldn't close the door for fear that the man would shoot him.

"To the living room" The man commanded him. Owen had no choice but to obey as he was being held at gun point. He and the wounded man are both trapped in this cage now.

Soon, they reached the living room. When the wounded man saw them, he froze in his seat, he looked at the masked man with visible fear in his eyes.

"Y....ou......please....don't k...I'll us" The wounded man begged, hoping the masked man to show mercy on both of them. The man let out a laugh suddenly.

"Aren't you ashamed of putting others in danger because of your irresponsible act? You're too funny begging for mercy when you cause this upon him tsk" The man said shaking his head as if disappointed by the man's action.

"I never did anything to you! I don't know you at all! So why..... are you planning to murder me?!......" The wounded man asked bravely to the masked man who looked coldly at him.

Seeing the masked man became distracted for a little while, Owen took this opportunity to grab the vase near him. Planning to knock out the man, he tried to hit him with the object. But the man skillfully avoided his attacks, instead of successfully making an escape, the man turned the situation against Owen.

The last thing Owen remembered was the man holding him tightly to the ground, as he pinched something in his neck that made him lose consciousness.

After that he woke up in the bed alone in his apartment. Why am I in bed, I clearly pass out in the living room....... Did he......?

He quickly checked downstairs.

The wounded man and the masked man are nowhere to be seen.

He thought of calling the police, to report the incident that occurred.

But he stops his idea as his eyes spot a note in his bedside table.

All it said was....

'Keep quiet little one.....you don't want your precious parents to disappear right? I know you are an obedient person....after all I'm watching all of your movements......'

A/N:Pls Vote