Philip paddled as hard as he could down the river, desperate to keep out of reach from his pursuer. He couldn’t believe his eyes at first, but he had been warned not to come here.

It was yesterday evening when he was told not to enter the forest. The 20 year old entered Murray’s pub and the locals were excited to see a new hiker with a big backpack and sun hat. Before anyone could get him a drink, Murray’s wife Alison greeted Philip first and offered him a room at a discounted rate. She then ordered the traveller to shower. Alison, like other townsfolk, adored the sight of a mysterious traveller, but she had little tolerance for their bad smells.

And Philip wasn’t going to argue, it had been days since he could have a warm shower. The boy was like a shining star once he came back down to the pub floor and tucked into a warm meal. Beside him, the locals were friendly and interested in his 6 month journey. Murray waited for the excitement to die down a little before he approached. His shoulders were stiff with tension, but he managed to take out his hand for a shake.

“I’m Murray the owner. You met my wife Alison.”

“Hey Murray.” The boy was surprised by the solemnise of the man, his figure like a grief-stricken man among a lively party. “I’m Phil. Thanks for the free food, this place is great.”

“We like to look after the hikers here, especially you young ones. Mind if I ask where you’re heading to next? I’ve lived here my whole life, this pub has been passed down in my family for generations, so I know a thing or two about here.”

“Wow, thank you. But I just sorta walk around and take it from there, you know?”

“If you don’t know where those feet are headed, then alright. But I’ll tell you where NOT to go.”

Phil was very uncomfortable now. He didn’t want to risk being thrown out, but he hated being told what to do on HIS personal journey. But he took a deep breath, shrugged his shoulders and took out his map that had been sitting in his jacket at the ready. Murray then took out a red felt too marker. He drew a border right next to the town. “Whatever you do, so not enter this forest.”

“Why?”

The whole pub froze in silence.

“Bad things there happen there, kid.” Murray stated it like a fact. He wasn’t fooling around.

“Trust us,” Alison met Philip with a nervous look in her eyes. “It’s dangerous.”

Philip didn’t get why grown adults were so freaked out about a forest though. “Is there wolves? Or crocodiles by the lake? I can avoid the lake easy–,”

“You think we’re crazy. Laugh all you want but it’s no joke, Phil. Spirits, BAD spirits live in the forest, and there’s no avoiding them once you set foot on their territory. Many hikers have stepped in, and not all came out. The ones that have, they don’t go back.”

Of course, Philip didn’t listen. The very next morning, he went. He didn’t plan to be there long, so he left his big backpack behind.

It was the most beautiful, serene place he’d ever been. Not a single person was here but him. He even stumbled on a paddle boat left next to the river. Philip couldn’t resist the temptation. He reasoned he’d use the boat for an hour or so, and have it back in its spot before anyone missed it.

The boat happily plopped into the river with a push, and then Philip jumped in with a big grin. The river was calm, allowing him to paddle with ease. With the sun shining high, the birds chirping in the beautiful tall trees, and a nice breakfast in his belly, Philip was in paradise.

Having found the perfect spot, Philip laid down with his arms crossed behind his head. He thought about Alison’s promise to cook him his favourite lunch (steak and chips). He knew she only offered it so that he’d come back to the pub as soon as possible, and to keep him ont of the forest. But Philip was in no rush to leave. As long as no one came looking for the boat, he’d stay here all morning and night.

TBC