Murder In The Old Castle
314. Lying Fossil
Jeremy is increasingly interested in entering the forest area. Moreover, he felt a cool sensation in the increasingly dense forest. The path he passed more and more snaking in and climbing, sometimes slippery in some parts. He did not worry about not being able to return to his original place, because he just stayed on the path. There is no other road that is worth to pass because it is covered in thickets, it only needs to follow according to a slightly winding groove, splitting the forest area.
In the forest, sunlight could barely enter due to the dense foliage. Jeremy stepped slowly, leaving the waterfall, while occasionally looking back. However, he must remain alert to the surrounding circumstances. The sound of animals roaring made her feel uncomfortable. He walks, but remains alert to the surroundings. He felt the forest so quiet, as if he was the only human being in the area.
After some time, he realized that the sound of the waterfall was inaudible, so he felt that maybe he had gone too far. Soon he decided to return, because he saw that his surroundings looked strange, full of trees and rather dark. He was afraid, if walking too far will be lost and difficult to find a way home. After all, he did not want to stay in the forest for too long.
However, as he turned back his body, he saw a building made of wood that was quite hidden behind a grove of bushes. He wondered what kind of building he had in the middle of the forest like this. Curiosity made him step aside. He was more interested in seeing the building closer. Slowly he approached, finding an old wooden building that looked like a cottage. His condition was worn out and unkempt, with a creepy atmosphere. Jeremy was very interested to see what exactly was inside the cottage.
Krieeet!
He opened the door of the cottage made of wood that began to decay. Apparently the cottage was unlocked, so it could be entered easily. The smell of stuffy and damp instantly ambushed, mixed with dust that instantly stifled his breathing. Jeremy covered his nose. Inside the cottage it also looks dark, as the only lighting comes from broken worn windows. Jeremy could feel the negative aura of the log cabin. No wonder, because he suspected that the cottage had not been occupied for a long time. Surely a place like this becomes a den of jinn or invisible creatures.
Jeremy walked in a few steps, then stopped. The floor of the cottage was so dirty covered in dry leaves and thick dust. His eyes were pounded on something lying on the floor of the cottage. His blood rippled, his heart beating faster. If he did not see wrong, what he saw on the floor of the cottage was a human figure lying on his side down. He could not confirm whether the figure was still alive or dead. The figure was still motionless.
"Who is that?" muttered.
For a moment Jeremy was worried, whether he had to return to the waterfall or had to ensure the condition of the figure lying. However, curiosity is getting the hang of it. He slowly approached the body. Once close enough, he could confirm that the figure was a woman. However, he was not sure if the figure was still alive. He came back closer hesitatingly. Slowly touched the neck of the figure of the woman lying, then she turned her face to recognize who this figure really is.
A moment later, he felt surprised, as he recognized the figure lying on the floor.
"Nadine," he muttered slowly.
***
Ramdhan was still surprised by something he found behind the bushes which were quite lush. Under the bush, there was a carcass of a black-brown fur, with a blood-filled neck that began to dry up. His hairy body is surrounded by ants and flies that are beginning to be attracted to alight.
"God! This ... is this not a cat?" ask Reno who just saw a dead cat with a terrible situation.
"Yes Sir. It's a jungle cat. Someone intentionally killed him. So the blood we found earlier might be this cat's blood. I don't know why this cat was killed, but it looks like the blood is a cheat. Maybe Nadine is being hidden somewhere around here" Ramdhan said.
"I think so too. Now you go upstairs, and get the people back to the castle. This place is too dangerous. I don't want anything to happen in this place. Have them cancel a visit to the waterfall. I'll investigate around this place. You take them all to the castle, no one stays. I still want to be here to see the circumstances and conditions around," Reno ordered.
"Well Sir!"
Ramdhan did not wait for orders twice. He hurried to leave Reno, back up to the top of a cliff that was quite steep. Reno again saw the carcass of the cat by wearing gloves that he had prepared. He checked the wound on the cat's neck. Looks like the poor creature was accidentally slit in the throat. However, he found traces of fried chicken near the carcass. Reno scrunched his forehead. This is fried chicken leftover breakfast this morning. Now he understands. This cat was deliberately fed fried chicken bait, then caught and slit his throat. What a savage, whoever perpetrated this crime.
Reno looked around. He did not know the base of this slope penetrated to which part. However, he suspected that the bottom of the slope was connected to a dark-looking part of the forest at the other end. He suspected that Nadine was being taken by someone into the forest, or maybe hidden somewhere. He wished that the woman was still alive. He plans to invite Dimas to explore the forest. For now, it seems that circumstances have not been possible, because he did not want to take the risk, exploring foreign places that he did not know.
Day by noon. Reno returns to the top, but he finds no one else but Ryan. The man was alone up there. Reno's presence was enthusiastically welcomed by Ryan.
"How Sir? Is there any clue to Nadine's whereabouts?" ask Ryan.
"Silent. We'll try to find Nadine's whereabouts. You don't have to worry. Maybe Nadine's still alive and walking somewhere. I'll try to find his whereabouts. Oya, where are the others?" ask Reno.
"So Lily took me to the waterfall, but I'm just waiting here. So the others are now heading to the falls" Ryan said.
"God! Where is ramdhan? Didn't he tell you to take you back to the castle?"
"Yes earlier Ramdhan invited to the castle, but Lily was not willing to reason there are some who are still in the waterfall. So now Lily's down to the falls with Rosita, Farrel, and Edwin. So inevitably, Ramdhan also went to the waterfall also pick up who is still in the waterfall, there are Stella, Jeremy, and Maya."
"Alright, now let's just follow them and get back to the castle!"
***