-09-

Zhilyn held her chin with her index finger and thumb.She thought whether to enter or not but her heart jumped wanting to go into the forest.Zhilyn nodded her head when she had already made up her mind.Zhilyn walked a few steps and stopped.She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.She held her chest and her heart was beating a little fast.Zhilyn clenched her fists and nodded before continuing her stride into the woods. The rising sun made it easier for her to walk in the forest. Zhilyn who was a little nervous at first but began to walk leisurely when she saw her surroundings that were very far out of her reach.

"I never thought that this forest even though it was getting darker but the surroundings were quite calming. " Zhilyn cheerfully kept walking and walking for some time but she didn't realize it seemed like something interesting to her to keep walking. Zhilyn took out a packet of sweets, opened it and ate the cotton candy sugar then put the package around her waist again.Zhilyn continued to walk merrily while singing small with her mouth chewing sweets.Zhilyn stopped when she heard a sound like people walking and she turned back, left and right.Zhilyn chuckled as her right eyebrow was raised then continued her step a little slow.

Zhilyn's sharp hearing made it easier for her to hear small sounds clearly but Zhilyn was not care and even that made Zhilyn calm and alert in case something undesirable happened for example like a wild animal like the legendary story.

Zhilyn frowned when the sound of someone walking was heard again but surprisingly the sound came from the front. Her lips curved into a smile and she slowed her pace a little but was still relaxed. In 20 steps, Zhilyn was shocked and her eyes widened slightly when she saw a boy about five or six years old walked slowly without realizing her.She frowned before coming out of the bushes approaching the little boy.The little boy stopped and turned towards Zhilyn when he heard footsteps heading towards him.Zhilyn was a little startled and stopped five steps away from the little boy when he saw the little boy staring at him sharply with his sapphire eyes.Zhilyn smiled staring at the boy.

"Hey kid." She greeted him cheerfully but the boy just ignored her as if he didn't see her and continued his step towards the east.Zhilyn just smiled forcibly seeing the boy ignored her.

'Ermmm, is this kid deaf? Or dumb? Wait or blind?' Zhilyn immediately shook her head erasing her fragile assumptions. Zhilyn widened her stride when she realized the boy was already 15 steps away from her. Zhilyn reached for the little boy's left arm making the kid stop. The kid looked up at Zhilyn but didn't say a word. Zhilyn smiled and sat half on her knees to make it easier for her to speak.

"Hi, what's your name little boy" Zhilyn asked in a cheerful tone. But the boy just frowned when Zhilyn called him a little boy. Zhilyn grabbed the boy's arms gently while smiling sweetly waiting for the little boy to answer but the little boy just stared at her emerald eyes.Zhilyn who was ignored by the kid chuckled slightly.

Zhilyn stopped laughing at the sight of the boy who frowned but still smiled broadly said

"Little boy, why are you alone in this forest. Where are your parents?" The boy rolled his eyes and tried to free himself from Zhilyn's grasp.

"Hey kid, are you dumb or deaf ?" Zhilyn asked as her lips curved into a smile. The boy shook his head. Zhilyn's right hand caressed the boy's hair while her left hand was still gripping the boy's arm.

"Why are you alone in the forest? Do you know this forest is very scary?" The boy just shook his head. Zhilyn sighed while shaking her head.

"Kid, hmm ... it is said that there are very ferocious beasts living in this forest. Have you ever heard a story about wild animals in this forest?" Zhilyn asked but the boy just shook his head.

"kid, you have to go home. Don't like wandering around here. This is a terrible place." Zhilyn reminded the little boy.

'Monsters are there too." She continued in her heart.

The boy stared at Zhilyn with a mocking face 'Do you think me to believe it?'. Zhilyn scratched her non -itchy head.

"Well, it looks like you don't want to answer my question." Zhilyn said while sighing in her heart. Zhilyn looked up to see the sun even though it was not visible. 'Erm, maybe it's 2 or 3pm now.' She said in her heart. Zhilyn looked back at the boy smiling and said.

"Kid, sister think it's not good to wander in this horror forest now. Come on, I'll send you home." Ask Zhilyn to stand while holding out her hand to the little boy. The little boy frowned and looked up at Zhilyn. Zhilyn's sweet smile made the little boy a little taken aback but the ripple on his face was still the same. Zhilyn chuckled a little and held the little boy's hand gently and said.

"Let's go,it's time to go home. Don't let your parents worry. That's not good." Zhilyn said with a smile.

"Erm kid, this sister is bothering you to show the way back to your house." Zhilyn said with a sweet smile until her eyes. The little boy just ignored her and walked with his hand still held by Zhilyn. Zhilyn happily walked next to the little boy while swinging their hands slightly who held each other.The little ones just let Zhilyn swing their hands.

"Hey kid, where's the direction of your house?" Asked Zhilyn who was a little confused as they still continued to walk for quite some time.

'I think it's been almost half an hour but it still hasn't arrived. And it's getting longer and longer into the woods.' Zhilyn frowned as her eyes widened even though her smile was still etched on her lips. They walked for almost an hour but the little boy's house was still not visible. Zhilyn stopped and look around.

"Wait. Kid, do you live in the forest?" She asked a little surprised.

Zhilyn frowned and lowered her head to look at the little boy who was raising his head to stare at her with a smirk engraved on his cute face. Zhilyn's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Err..hm..You're not kidding right?" Zhilyn asked wanting certainty. The little boy just continued to stare at Zhilyn's beautiful emerald eyes. Although the little boy didn't answer but Zhilyn understood the little boy's smile made Zhilyn chuckled. She bent down slightly to pinch The little boy's cheeks then stroked the little boy's hair.

"Hihi..I think you're just lost or playing in this forest, apparently you live around this forest. So if that's the case before I tried to scare you .... oh ... you're not afraid of my story.lol .. What am I. "Zhilyn chuckled as she shook her head.

"Okay, because I've been following you so far, I'll accompany you to your house. Let's go." Zhilyn said cheerfully without she realizing the day started at dusk. The little boy didn't answer just grabbed Zhilyn's right hand and continued his step. Zhilyn taken back a bit and just following the little boy. "I've never heard of anyone who dares to live in this forest. Moreover, living and even sleeping a night in this forest feels like no one is willing." Zhilyn said, starting her conversation with the little boy even though she knew the little boy didn't care.

'As long as his listen to me.'She thought in her heart.

"But, today I was very surprised to know that there are still people who dare to live in this forest. Wow amazing." Praise Zhilyn in a happy and disbelieving tone.

"Little brother, you know what I was really shocked when you smiled when I asked if you lived in this woods or not. No, very shocked and disbelieving.Speechless! No words could describe my shock." Zhilyn continued to talk non-stop making the little boy's lips curved upwards. He smiled a little without Zhilyn realizing it.

"My heart beats fast when I know you live in this forest. I almost think you are one of the Demon's realm who lives in the middle of this forest. Hihihi....Funny right. What is in my mind. It doesn't make sense at all .." She laughed with a small laugh. Suddenly, the little boy stopped and his smile disappeared then turned and looked up to stare straight into her eyes making Zhilyn raise her eyebrows with a 'Why, What's up?' look. The little boy was just silent without escaping his gaze from her.Zhilyn who understood the meaning of the gaze slowly looked back when she realized something behind her as if was staring at them. Her eyes widened.