12 A Handsome Stranger

Anastasia rubbed her eyes and woke up again in the forbidden forest. Her wounds from earlier were completely gone.

She sat up in the place and was shocked to see that there was a soft blanket wrapped around her body.

Who might have done that? She thought. because she was currently in the middle of the forest where no one comes.

She looked at her surrounding. And saw a camp in front of her. She was sitting near a campfire. And for some reason, her head was hurting very badly.

She was not remembering anything that happened before. But then she heard someone's voice coming from behind her.

"Are you awake now?" A gentle voice spoke from her behind. making her startled. She was about to fall on the ground when suddenly someone grabbed her hand.

She looked at the person. It was a guy that looked in his mid-twenties. He had broad shoulders and a sexy jawline that could get in anyone's attention. His dark brown eyes that had a pinch of redness were glowing in the darkness. His tan face was just perfect.

Anastasia had been hit on by many good-looking guys in her life but she mostly ignored them because she thought they were so arrogant and only looks no brain.

But looking at him, she felt that he is not a human being. Because how can someone's face look so good. And the mysterious aura he carried was making her very attracted towards him.

Seeing Anastasia staring at him with utmost dept the guy chuckled. "I am sorry for scaring you" He left her hand which he was holding.

Anastasia got her balance again and looked at the guy. "Where did you find me? And Who are you?"

"I found you unconscious In the middle of the forest. Your body was so cold at that time so I decided to bring you here near the campfire." He smiled. "But how did you end up here?" The guy asked her.

Thinking about that. Anastasia remembered everything from before. How did she come here? The last thing she remembered was that she was trapped in with a ghost and then the pendant started glowing.

She quickly glanced at her neck and the red necklace was still there. That means the thing she saw was not a dream. It happened in reality.

So ghosts do exist? What am I even saying? Offcourse they do. Because she have encountered some of them many years ago.

But now how is she going to explain everything to this guy? He will think that she is some kind of crazy person. She doesn't want him to feel that way about her. But why does she care about how others see her? It never happened before.

"I umm I was…" Anastasia was so panicked while answering this question. She don't know what reason should she give him.

But the guy got the hint on how uncomfortable she got while talking that's why he holded her hand to make her stop panicking.

"It's alright. You don't need to say anything. Many people come here to take walks. It's alright." He lied why would anyone go to take a walk at a place which was rumoured to be haunted and banned for anyone from entering. He just said it to make her stop panicking.

Anastasia never let anyone hold her hand before. Even when her family or friends touched her a bit she started to feel very uncomfortable by it but now a stranger is holding her hand.

That was weird because his touch was making her feel comfortable.

Looking that Anastasia has calmed down a bit. The guy left her hand but that saddened her a bit. She wanted to feel his hand's warmth for a bit more time.

But she won't show that to him otherwise, he would run away thinking that she is some kind of creep and that would make it hard for her to get out from this place.

How is she going to do all that alone?

"By the way, I am Adrian Andrews nice to meet you." He put his hand forward to shake her hand.

"And I am Anastasia De Rossi." She shook his hand and smiled.

"I think we should get going. Your family might be worried about you." Adrian said while giving her his hand to hold because he knows how weak she currently was.

Anastasia grinned while looking at Adrian. Why is this stranger helping her so much? Does he want something in return or is it just her trust issues with people.

She was doubtful but she still held his hand. Even though he might have some hidden motive. But he can be genuine in helping her too right? Why should she judge someone that she doesn't even know.

As they got out from those surroundings. The illusion of the camp presented there disappeared too. And the forest was become darker. The hoots of owls could be heard from miles away.

"Do you believe that this place is haunted?" Anastasia asked while walking. She knew this was the worst question to ask someone she just met but it's still better than being silent.

Hearing that Adrian snickered. "What do you think Anastasia? Do they exist?"

"I mean yes they do. I used to see many ghosts when I was a child. They didn't scared me but some of them just told me to alleviate their suffering. As a kid that made me very confused. How am I supposed to do that? Mom used to laugh whenever I told her about it. But grandma told me that I was an indigo kid that's why the ghost can talk to me." Anastasia's face sadden. "But after some time it all stopped. I don't see ghosts anymore."

Anastasia never shared things with anyone but she felt that she could talk about anything with him. What type of connection is this?

"Indigo kid? That's interesting. Is this what you call special children? I am very curious to know about that." He became curious. "What if you still see the ghosts, but don't feel like they are one?. Like, look at me. I could also be some kind of supernatural creature. What do you think?"

Adrian came so close to her that Anastasia could even see the mole on his cheek. That made her face red that she had to look away from him. She doesn't want him to see her flushed face.

"So Adrian are you trying to say that you are some kind of demon?"

"Am I? You tell me. What do you feel?" Adrian crossed his arm and looked very serious while talking.

"I don't think that you are a demon. Because if you were one then you would have an evil aura around you and I could feel it but being with you I don't feel that way. And even if you were I wouldn't be surprised because look at your face. How can it be so perfect but not like I am complimenting you or anything."

"Yeah right." Adrian looked very disappointed with her answer and kept looking down.

Anastasia thought what did she even do to make him feel that way. She even complimented him but looks like he didn't got the hint.

But then she noticed something on his wrist.

Anastasia came very closer towards him and held his wrist that made Adrian bewildered.

"Are you hurt? You should put something on it when you return home. The cut is too deep. If you didn't treat it immediately then it can cause infection."

Adrian looked at his wound and jerked her hand off him. "You don't need to worry about it." He pushed her hand gently but it still made Anastasia unhappy by his behavior.

Why is she feeling like this for a stranger? This thing never happened before. Is it because he helped her she is feeling something? Nothing was making sense to her.

"We should get going now." Adrian said while going ahead from her.

Anastasia just nodded and followed him

Adrian glanced at his wound which was now nowhere to be found.

How can this happen? He thought in his head and looked at Anastasia.

She also felt his gaze on her that's why she asked. "What happened?"

"Nothing!" He replied with smile and hided his healed wrist from her.

After some time they arrived at the entrance.

"You should go now." Adrian said while opening the gate.

"Are we going to meet again?" Adrian heard her voice from behind.

"I don't know. Only if fate agrees."  he gave her a coy smile.

Hearing that Anastasia face became sorrowful.

If it is in her hand she would like to meet him again but she can't force him or maybe she can.

Thinking about that she went out of the gate.

"Atleast give me your phone number." She turned around to talk to him but saw no one behind her.

Where the hell did he go? Even the entrance gate was now closed.

Was she hallucinating all along? Did she went inside or not? She rubbed her head out of confusion. Then she heard someone screaming her name. The voice was of her grandma.

Did grandma found out that she was gone inside the forbidden forest?.

Grandma might be very angry now.

"Grandma i am here." She screamed back and ran towards the direction where the voice was coming.