Welcome To Willowbrook

Anita’s POV:

THE NEXT MORNING

“Where am I?” I muttered as my eyes lashes fluttered open. I looked outside the window, and everywhere was dark and quiet. I rubbed my face, wondering what was happening. Then I remembered I was being chased by some weird creatures, and I jumped up.

“What is wrong, my child?” An old woman sitting beside me asked with a broad smile. I hadn't noticed her before, and I quickly turned to look at her, my mind demanding answers.

“Ma'am, where are we? Some scary creatures, they're coming after us! We need to run!” I warned the woman, my voice shivering with fear. I felt paralyzed, and I searched for my phone to call my family, but I couldn't find it.

“My dear, you must have had a nightmare. I am Mrs. Johnson. From the way you're looking, I guess you aren't much of an adventurer,” The old woman said and involuntarily began to talk about her early experiences, sharing stories of her travels and the new places she discovered. Her words were supposed to be a balm to my wounded spirit, but it ended up confusing me. I didn't know where I was or how I got there, and I didn't want to leave, because am elderly person was talking.

“Here eat this, it will help you relax,” Mrs Johnson proposed and handled me a bar of chocolate. I wasn't the type to collect things from stranger, but there was something in her eyes that made me to collect it from her.

“Thanks,” I murmured, thinking if I took everything lightly I would wake up from my dream. Immediately I ate the chocolate bar, my eyes widened, it was like a part of my memory was scraped off, and Mrs. Johnson had a menacing smile.

"Let me tell you my first adventure. It started when I discovered a little town many years ago. My husband had just died, and I was brokenhearted and needed some comfort, so I ventured into the woods, hoping to die. On getting to the woods, I heard a group of local fishermen talking about a shining fish. According to them, the fish could brighten up the night, and it had some ancient symbol on its scale. They kept praising the magnificent fish and the town in which it was caught, until I was compelled to ask for the location of the town. They advised me against going there because the villagers were naturally cruel to visitors and had shut themselves off from the outside world. They dress in bamboo and palm leaves, and they eat together in a big bowl whenever the moon comes out. They can dance with their toes, and their melody when singing is that of the angels. I did all within my power to know more about this town, and on getting there, I saw shining rivers and ancient symbols.

The town itself is a museum. The villagers like to be alone but would come together to celebrate various festivities. They believe the ancient ones are still alive. Legend has it that this town has a magical guardian who watches over it, and in return, the villagers offer human sacrifice every month. This town is called the home of mysteries and secrets; no one can ever get bored there because of its many legends. This town is ruled by an ancient demon lord,” Mrs. Johnson took a deep breath as she explained the history of the town, and I immediately began to long for an adventure.

I longed to venture around the town to know if there were really secrets. I was supposed to be looking for answers to my mysterious appreance, but something within me accepted that was where I was meant to be. All thanks to the chocolate bar, I forgot everything about my former life and family. All I knew was my heart got broken. It was as if my wish has been answered.

“Wow! Demon lord?” My mouth was left open, refusing to close in amazement. “But ma'am, why did you leave the town? It seems interesting and fun.”

"Oh, my dear, I had to. After spending a month there, I had to leave because my heart had been mended and my children kept requesting to see me. Also, I needed to leave to tell the younger generation about this little town and its mysteries. Till today, I haven’t been able to discover all its secrets, but I believe you can do it. Not only will you mend your broken heart, but you will help the villagers and their children discover that opening up to strangers is essential in life,” Mrs. Johnson seemed to be persuading me with her words.

I laughed nervously, wondering if she was serious. “What is the name of this town, ma'am?” I asked with a soft voice.

"It's called Willowbrook, a town of mysteries and secrets. Thousands of women have been sacrificed on this land. Before their demise, they asked a simple question: 'Who killed me? Who let out my secrets?' That's one of the reasons why the town is called the land of secrets. Legends suggest that the town itself is a mysterious land, buried under numerous secrets,” Mrs. Johnson gently touched my arms. “You need this adventure, child,” she brought out an old map from her bag. “Take this; it will lead you straight to your destination when you need it the most!”

I didn't hesitate to collect it. With a smile on my face, I stretched out my hand and collected the map, “I’d love to go. But ma'am, when will I see you next?”

"Oh, don't worry, my dear; I will always be around. But on the ancient symbol festival celebration, I will come for you,” those words left her mouth eerily, but I failed to pay attention to the tone because I was too occupied with the map. I failed to notice the creepy smile on her face.

“Okay, I'll visit this mysterious town,” I agreed at once, standing up to dispose of the chocolate bar wrapper.

“By the way, dear, alight at the next stop. Till we meet again,” Mrs. Johnson's words echoed in my mind, so I quickly turned, only to find her gone, without a trace. I didn't pay attention to this, assuming she had disembarked, but little did I know that Mrs. Johnson was not an ordinary human.

With determination, I decided to get off at the next stop. Some of the passengers looked at me, murmuring and gossiping that I was entering the demon's den, but none dared to say it to my face.

In front of the town was a little signboard with the title, Willowbrook. It was a place I'd heard a lot about, thanks to the mysterious Mrs. Johnson, and as the name left my lips, the sound held a promise of discovery and renewal:

Welcome to Willowbrook.

The market looked really busy as traders kept advertising their products. It was filled with different goods—clothes, bags, shoes, caps, slippers, foodstuffs, jewelry, and everything else a big market is supposed to have. Without being told, I knew it was the town's market day, so I quickly brought out my purse to buy as many goods as I could.

I ran to the cold store for fresh tomatoes, peppers, frozen chicken, and fish. Everything I saw enticed me. The prices were so cheap that I kept picking up goods, not minding that I had nowhere to store them.

A young lady, also buying tomatoes, noticed how I kept picking goods and stared at me curiously. “Ma'am, do you need that large amount of goods?” She asked with a gentle smile.

I was too occupied with my shopping to pay her any attention, until one of the storekeepers whispered, “She must be a stranger, one of those foreigners, who wants to steal our ancient symbols and jewelry.”

At that moment, I felt I was being watched and quickly raised my head. To my amusement, all eyes were on me; both the old and young were staring at me, whispering words to themselves.

‘What is going on? Why are they staring at me?’ My mind cried out. And I felt nervous to be called a stranger.

“Ummmm.” I looked around, fidgeting, wondering if I had done something to cause their annoying stares, but nothing came to my mind. Just as I was thinking about what to do, a man probably in his late thirties hissed loudly.

“Why are you packing all our hard-earned farm products?” The man asked with a grimace on his face.

I furrowed my brows and wanted to tell him I was going to pay for what I picked, but the scowl on their faces made me unusually quiet. It was at that moment that the attire that some of them wore caught my attention. Just as Mrs. Johnson had explained, some of them, especially their men, were dressed in traditional attire, with palm leaves tied around their waists.

I noticed the huge buildings and walls. I had been so occupied shopping that I forgot to explore and admire my new environment. The town was not just any town; it was made up of modernized gadgets, buildings, and electricity, but the people were local.

I was so moved that I opened my mouth in awe. Then, it felt as though people were whispering about me, and I quickly shifted my gaze to the floor, trying to come up with an explanation.

“I'm sorry; I didn't mean to act strangely, nor was I stealing your symbols and jewelry. In fact, I have no intention to do such," I stammered, feeling like an intruder.

“Hum, do you think we'll believe your words?” The man continued, “You kept touching and smiling at everything, like one of those stupid foreigners.”

“I mean my words, sire,” I stuttered, unsure of what to say. “I didn't mean to take so much; I just got carried away."

They didn't look convinced by my words, and I stuttered out an apology again.

The young lady's expression softened into one of empathy. Her eyes sparkled with understanding, and a gentle smile tugged at the corners of her lips. It was as though she could sense my discomfort and wanted to assure me that everything was alright.

"It's alright," she said with a gentle voice. "We didn't mean to be rude either; we aren't used to seeing new faces around here, especially ones who shop as enthusiastically as you do,” she said and burst into dry laughter.

I guessed she was the jovial one around the store because everyone burst into laughter. Well, everyone, except the man who had hissed earlier. He looked at me angrily and shook his head.

“Oh, come on, Bobby! Try to be nice to our guests,” the lady told the man, and from the look of things, I guessed she had a strong authority in the store.

“Your Royal Highness, I am trying to be nice. You know how much your father despises foreigners,” the man called Bobby replied with a growl.

‘Your Royal Highness?’ I was bewildered, and I quickly scrutinized her attire. Indeed, she was dressed like a royal lady, with clothes befitting a princess. “Wow? Is she a princess?” I asked myself in bewilderment, but unfortunately, they heard my question.

The storekeepers looked at me with raised eyebrows, murmuring to themselves.

“Hey, you! That's not the right way to address our chief's daughter,” Bobby barked at me aggressively, and I quickly bowed remorsefully.

‘Is she a princess or the chief's daughter?’ I wondered in my mind.

“It's fine. I will take my leave now. Please, young lady, feel free to enjoy your stay here. Bye,” she waved at me with a gentle smile. I was so tongue-tied that I kept looking at her, bewildered by her heavenly beauty. Without waiting for my reply, she turned to leave, and six maids accompanied her. Bobby packed the goods she had bought, looked at me with a grimace, and left.

Immediately after they left, the storekeepers began to gossip about the lady. “Why is she suddenly being accompanied by the palace maids?” One of the storekeepers whispered to another storekeeper.

“Who knows, maybe the next sacrificial item has arrived,” the other storekeeper replied, and he sighed sadly. They continued their gossiping. I didn't pay any attention to their words, and after paying, I left with the goods I had bought.

The town was beautiful, and as I looked around, admiring the town and its villagers, my eyes fell on an old lady who resembled Mrs. Johnson. I was shocked and quickly called out to her, but to my surprise, the old woman ran off and disappeared into a beautiful coffee shop.

I dropped the goods I had purchased and quickly ran into the coffee shop, not minding that I bumped into some of the angry villagers. I entered the coffee shop, greeted by the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of pastries. Soft jazz music played in the background, adding to the cozy atmosphere of the place. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting a golden glow over the wooden tables and cushioned chairs. Despite the hustle and bustle of the market outside, the coffee shop looked like a relaxing spot, inviting me to relax and unwind. Although it distracted me, I decided to concentrate more and began to look around, but I couldn't find her or a glimpse of her.

The shop was quite empty, with probably ten to fifteen people. Everyone's attention was on me. They looked at me strangely, but I ignored their uncomfortable stares and concentrated on what brought me to the coffee shop. I went to an empty two-seat table and sat down, hoping that the old woman would pass by again.

But I didn't notice that immediately after I entered, a handsome young man raised his head and smiled broadly. It was as though he knew me and had been waiting for me. After placing my orders, this strange man walked up to me with a creepy smile on his face……