A letter to the post man

As Geynie's screams faded into the depths of the forest, I felt an unbearable urge to follow them. My heart pounded as her voice was swallowed by the silence, leaving only the rustling of the leaves and the distant hum of nocturnal animals.

I couldn't stand the thought of her suffering. I didn't know why, but seeing her in pain gnawed at me. What if Damian was wrong? What if Geynie had a part of the story I hadn't yet heard? My thoughts swirled as guilt bubbled to the surface.

Without thinking, I took off running, my legs moving faster than my mind could process. I had to follow them. I had to find her.

But where had Damian taken her?

I roamed the forest for what felt like an eternity, the shadows around me growing deeper as the night thickened. Every crack of a twig or rustle of leaves made me flinch, but I pressed on. After thirty minutes of fruitless searching, my hope began to dwindle.

Geynie had left her phone back at the hotel, which could have been my one chance to track her. In desperation, I pulled out my own phone, praying for a miracle. But my worst fears were confirmed—no service. The screen mocked me, the "No Signal" symbol at the top like a cruel joke.

How would I call for help?

"What have I done?" I whispered into the stillness. My hands trembled, the weight of my choices crushing me. "Oh, Reina!" I chastised myself, my voice breaking as tears poured freely down my face.

If anything happened to Geynie, I would never forgive myself.

Damian's anger was intense, and though I didn't know the full extent of his truth, I couldn't let Geynie pay the ultimate price. Yes, she was wretched, manipulative even, but did that mean she deserved to die? No.

She didn't deserve this.

My breathing grew ragged as panic set in. I stumbled through the dense underbrush, my steps frantic and clumsy. The forest was vast, but this wasn't my first time navigating its labyrinthine paths. Even so, every direction looked the same under the dim moonlight.

Geynie was strong; I knew that. But even the strongest fighters could fall under the right circumstances.

"I have to find her," I murmured, determination hardening my resolve.

I stopped under a large tree, leaning against its rough bark to catch my breath. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, creating an eerie pattern on the forest floor. My fingers brushed against the bark as I carefully marked the tree, hoping it would help me find my way back.

As I stood there, my ears pricked at a sound in the distance—a faint rustling, followed by something heavy pressing into the soft earth. My pulse quickened. Footsteps.

Rejoicing, I followed the trail, my steps quiet and deliberate. The forest grew darker, the air colder as I ventured deeper. Then I stopped abruptly, my eyes catching a wooden sign nailed to a post ahead.

"DANGER ZONE," it read in bold red letters.

My stomach twisted. This part of the forest was forbidden—wild animals were known to roam freely here, and the terrain was treacherous.

I hesitated, my feet rooted to the ground.

The trail of footprints led directly past the sign, disappearing into the shadowed thickets.

Would I even survive if I went in?

I swallowed hard, fear tightening its grip on me. But the thought of Geynie's desperate cries pushed me forward. I couldn't let her face whatever horrors lay ahead alone.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped past the sign, the air growing colder with each step. The sounds of the forest became louder here—branches creaked, unseen animals howled, and the wind howled through the trees like a ghostly warning.

My phone buzzed weakly in my pocket. I pulled it out, and the dim screen glared back at me: 5% battery remaining.

A dead end, I thought grimly.

I trudged onward, following the faint impressions of footprints in the dirt. Every shadow seemed to move, and every sound felt like a threat. I gripped my arms tightly, willing myself to be brave.

Then I saw it—a cave looming in the distance. Its gaping mouth was dark, cold, and uninviting. But there, faintly, I heard it—Geynie's voice, rising in desperation.

"What is Damian doing to her?" I whispered under my breath, fear mixing with dread.

Just then, my phone gave a faint buzz before the screen went black. It had died. My last connection to the outside world was gone.

I crept toward the cave's entrance, every step weighted with caution. The air here was colder, damp, and carried the faint metallic tang of something I couldn't identify.

As I entered the cave, my knees threatened to buckle, but I forced myself to stay upright. Pressing myself against the cool stone wall, I peered ahead. My fingers grazed the rough surface as I moved slowly, the dim light inside barely illuminating the path.

A large boulder provided cover, and I crouched behind it, my breathing shallow. I wiped my damp palms against my jeans, trying to steady my shaking hands.

What I saw next shook me to my core .