UNTIL I found you..

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I pulled the sheets over my head and tried to go back to sleep.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Someone was at my door again.

I ignored it, hoping whoever it was would give up. Instead, the knocking continued another four or five times.

With a groan, I finally sat up.

"WHO IS IT?" I called out, still half-asleep.

A laugh came from the other side of the door.

"Come on, baby," my mom said. "It's getting late. You have to go to your grandma's today, remember?"

I groaned and flopped back onto my pillow. Then it hit me.

Right.

I actually did want to go.

With a sigh, I dragged myself out of bed and opened the door for my mom.

It was a Sunday morning, around 9 a.m. Bright sunlight poured through my bedroom window, filling the room with warmth. Clothes, books, and random things were scattered all over the floor. My room had always been a mess—that was just who I was. Unfortunately, my mom never missed an opportunity to remind me.

She stepped inside, glanced around, and sighed.

"What is this, Kayla? Are you serious? How many times do I have to tell you to keep your room clean?"

"Oh, come on, Mom," I replied, rolling my eyes. "It's fine. I'll clean it, okay? What do you want? Why did you disturb my beauty sleep? It's only nine, and I don't have to leave for Grandma's until twelve."

She folded her arms.

"Do you even realise how long you spend in the bathroom? It takes you almost one or two hours to get ready. That's exactly why I woke you up."

I groaned, bent down, and started picking up the clothes scattered around my room.

She sat on the edge of my bed, looking around before letting out another sigh.

"Kayla," she said softly, "please don't get upset, okay? I'm your mom. I only want what's best for you. You're going to your grandma's to help her, and it'll also be good for you. It'll help clear your mind."

She paused.

"But promise me one thing."

I looked up.

"Don't go into the jungle behind your grandma's house. Okay?"

The moment those words left her mouth, all the irritation disappeared.

I froze.

My head snapped towards her so quickly that I was sure I'd nearly cracked my neck.

She wasn't looking at me anymore. Instead, her eyes were fixed on her hands as she fidgeted nervously.

"Why?" I asked.

She stayed silent.

"Why do you always say that every single time I go there?"

It wasn't that I wanted to disobey my mom. I didn't. But she'd warned me about that jungle every single time I visited Grandma, and she'd never once explained why.

There had to be a reason.

Otherwise... why would she keep saying it?

I walked over and sat beside her.

"Mom..."

She still stared at her hands.

Just as I was about to ask again, she suddenly stood up.

"All right," she said, forcing a smile. "Breakfast time. Come downstairs, okay? I made your favourite—bacon and eggs. Your dad's getting ready too. He'll drop you off at Grandma's."

Without waiting for a reply, she opened the door and hurried out of my room.

It almost felt as though she'd run away just to avoid answering my question.

I stood there for a moment before shrugging and heading to the bathroom to take a shower.

After One Hour

I stepped out of the bathroom, feeling fresh after my shower. As I wiped my damp hair with a towel, I walked over to my wardrobe and pulled out my favourite outfit—a pair of blue jeans that fit perfectly and my favourite green crop top.

To be honest, I loved wearing this outfit whenever I visited Grandma's village. All the girls there would be around my age, and I couldn't help but feel that a few of them were a little jealous of me. Maybe it was because I lived in the city. Maybe it was because of my confidence.

Or maybe I was just imagining things.

Either way, I wasn't about to stop wearing my favourite outfit.

I slipped into my jeans, pulled on my green crop top, and left my hair loose over my shoulders. A thin line of eyeliner and a little lip gloss were all I needed.

Perfect.

I wasn't much of a makeup person. But whenever I did put on a little makeup...

Wow.

God really took His time while making me.

I chuckled to myself.

"Okay, Kayla," I muttered. "Calm down before your own confidence scares people away."

Throughout the entire time I was getting ready—even while I was taking a shower—I couldn't stop thinking about what Mom had said.

"Don't go into the jungle."

Why?

I had never disobeyed her before, but... why did she always warn me about that place?

What was in that jungle?

I sighed and shook my head.

Not today.

Today was my eighteenth birthday.

Finally.

I couldn't wait to celebrate with Grandma and all my friends. I had missed them so much, and I already knew Grandma would make enough food to feed an entire village.

Honestly, saying no to Grandma's cooking should probably be considered a crime.

Smiling to myself, I walked downstairs for breakfast.

The smell of bacon and eggs filled the house before I even reached the dining room.

Dad was already sitting at the table, enjoying his breakfast while Mom served another plate.

"Good morning, Dad."

I walked over, hugged him tightly, and kissed him on the cheek.

Before Dad could even reply, Mom looked me up and down.

"Oh, Kayla..."

She sighed dramatically.

"You're wearing that crop top again? Why do you always have to show off your tiny waist? We already know you're slim."

I rolled my eyes and pulled out my chair.

"Mom... please."

"Not again. You know this is my favourite crop top."

I grabbed my fork before looking at her with a playful grin.

"Seriously, all the other parents are so broad-minded. Why are you always the strict one?"

I popped a piece of egg into my mouth before she could answer.

Dad let out a quiet laugh.

The kind of laugh that said, "I'm staying out of this one."

After finishing breakfast, I carried my plate to the sink before heading upstairs to grab my bag.

A few minutes later, I walked back downstairs.

It was time to leave.

I took a deep breath before walking towards my parents.

Without saying a word, I wrapped my arms around Mom and hugged her tightly. I kissed her forehead before pulling away.

"I'll miss you," I said softly.

She smiled and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I'll miss you too, sweetheart. Take good care of yourself... and don't give your grandma too much trouble."

I laughed.

"I make no promises."

Dad chuckled from beside us.

I turned towards him and threw my arms around him.

Unlike the hug I gave Mom, I held onto Dad for a little longer.

Just a couple of seconds.

I didn't know why...

I just didn't feel like letting go.

Dad had always been more than just my father.

He was my best friend, my guide, my biggest supporter, and the one person who had never stopped believing in me.

When I was little, I'd come running home after school with my notebooks in my hands.

"Daddy! Look what I got!"

Even if my marks weren't perfect, he'd smile proudly and say,

"You'll do even better next time. Now come here... you've earned some chocolate."

Those little moments had stayed with me all these years.

I looked up at him.

His smile was still there, but I knew him well enough to notice the sadness hidden behind it.

He wanted to stay strong for me.

He always did.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, princess," he said quietly.

"I'm sorry your mom and I can't be there to celebrate with you."

I felt my eyes sting with tears, but I quickly blinked them away before they could fall.

"It's okay, Dad," I replied with a smile. "I know you both have responsibilities. Besides..."

I glanced at Mom with a mischievous grin.

"At least Grandma won't lecture me every five minutes about cleaning my room."

Mom sighed dramatically.

"Oh, really?"

Dad and I exchanged a quick look before bursting into quiet laughter.

Mom simply shook her head, trying her best not to smile.

I picked up my bag.

"Okay..."

"I should get going."

I hugged them both one last time before walking towards the front door.

As soon as I stepped outside, an odd feeling settled deep inside my chest.

I couldn't explain it.

It wasn't fear.

It wasn't excitement.

It was...

uneasiness.

Almost as if something wasn't right.

I turned around one last time.

Mom and Dad stood at the doorway, smiling and waving at me.

I smiled back and waved before getting into my car.

Just as I started the engine, I glanced back through the windshield.

That's when I noticed it.

Mom's smile had disappeared.

She quickly turned towards Dad and whispered something.

Dad's expression changed instantly.

For a brief moment, both of them looked... worried.

Really worried.

But the second they realised I was still looking, they forced their smiles back onto their faces.

Too late.

I'd already seen it.

My thoughts drifted back to Mom's warning upstairs.

"Don't go into the jungle."

Again.

Why?

I shook the thought away.

Today was supposed to be a happy day.

I was finally turning eighteen.

Grandma.

My friends.

The birthday celebration.

Late-night conversations.

Grandma's delicious cooking.

And, for once...

Nobody reminding me to clean my room.

A smile found its way back onto my face.

I shifted the car into gear, waved one last time, and slowly drove away, completely unaware that my life was about to change forever.