A small town called Spring Valley, deep in the forest of Wolfsbane, lay a small cottage-like house, which was inhabited by a girl. A kind yet straightforward person who would fight for the right things in life.
Her life, though, wasn't ordinary; it was always shrouded in chaos and mayhem. Being physically fit, ripped, toned body, and agility like that of a cheetah drove her to pursue her dream job.
She pursued to be a director of a funeral parlor known as Bukchon Hill Funeral Home. As the name suggests, people would be afraid or have a certain notion of feeling dread. But she, for one,felt at ease, helping the deceased's family say their last goodbyes well and meaningfully.
It has been 5 years she served as an assistant to the current funeral parlor director now she aimed higher.
"Bethany ... Where are my embalming tools ?" A strong male voice rang through the room.
She searched around only to see him hold the set in his hands. "Ummm director Lee it's in your hands" she mentally slapped herself.
Director Lee was a very gentle and kind man, who was in his late 70s still performing his duties as he did in his early days. He never discriminated between Bethany and the others always taught each one equally.
Though his dementia started getting worse daily. It was only understandable that he would forget things.
"Dad are you alright? See I told you that you have to rest but you never listen" she seemed worried and scared. Obviously who wouldn't be? A father is an important figure not for the position but for the unconditional love.
" I'm alright sweetheart, don't worry, although I think it's time that I pass the business down to you and your brother." his voice quivered as he spoke reminding her that old age can weaken a person.
" No, Dad how will we manage? This is your hard work. How can we just barge in like that? She had a sad and weary tone to her voice.
Her father looked her in the eyes, and at that moment, she knew that he meant what he said. Her heart was swollen with sadness, though her dream was about to come true.
'Sweetheart... you know a human being has an average lifespan of 80 years, anything beyond that and I'll be a walking corpse." He tries to lighten the mood a bit.
They continued doing their work, not realizing it had already gotten dark outside.
"Dad ... It's late, let's head home now." She looked towards him as she removed her gloves.
She heard slow footsteps approaching her from behind, so she turned around and found nothing. Her father stood at his usual desk, putting away his tools and preparing to leave.
It had been a few minutes past midnight, and they were finally heading to the main door when her father received an unknown call. He looked calm and walked out of the funeral parlour. A few minutes passed when he suddenly hung up and asked Bethany to get in the car.
"Dad, what's wrong? Whose call was that?" she asked, puzzled. He didn't say anything at first, but after a while, all he said was " Beth, just stay indoors for a few days and don't step out for anything. Just drop me a message." his voice sounded urgent.
"B But ..... Dad," she tried to speak, but he cut her off again. "Just do as I say, sweetheart." This time he spoke very calmly.
"Alright, Dad... But promise me you will tell me everything," she said with a hopeful voice.
He nodded his head and told the driver to speed up. After minutes on the road, they pull up in front of her house. They wave goodbye and go their ways.
As she headed towards the main door, she felt like someone was just behind her, but when she turned around, no one was there. She shrugged it off and made her way inside.
She wondered why her father asked her to stay indoors and not go out for anything. It was strange and raised questions.
She tried to sleep, but her mind kept going back to the feeling of someone following her. It was unexplainable, but suddenly she had this weird feeling. She thought maybe the day's work made her tired, which made her have weird thoughts.
To divert her mind, she made her way to the living room and sat on the couch with a blanket and turned on her television. She flipped through channels and landed on a news telecast. It was about a strange accident.
She kept watching until she fell asleep on her couch. There was a faint voice coming from her balcony.... Unaware, she lay there fast asleep.
Meanwhile, her father was standing at a strange-looking temple with a small paper-like object in his hand.
"I don't think this will hold, but I'll still give it the benefit of the doubt," he said with uncertainty. He took a deep breath and climbed up the stairs, headed towards an unknown person's house, which was located on the temple grounds.
"Watch out before it's too late," said a strange voice
To be Continue........