In Ku Di Jo

Author's POV:

Jacob's internal conflict

‘For as long as I can remember, every year, brave women are brought to Willowbrook, but their sole purpose was to know more about the town and use it for their project. Unfortunately, all of them ended up either dead or mentally unstable. But for the first time in forever, I met a lady who was genuinely worried about Willowbrook, not because she intended to gain anything but because she wanted to help the villagers open their hearts to trust again. I knew deep within me that I was supposed to assist her.

My wish was to help the villagers since the last blood moon rituals. But the consequences were more than I could handle. The last person who assisted the stranger she fell in love with ended up killing her family with her bare hands, and the stranger's flesh was her lunch and dinner meal. I didn't want to experience something as dreadful as that, so I made up my mind to leave Anita to her fate.

‘If she dies, I will do her a huge favor and bury her body, and if she survives, her luck.’ I said to myself thoughtfully.

Yes, it might sound mean, but I wanted to live. My entire life had been filled with pain; I wanted to feel alive for once in my life.’

~

Night Time

Anita's POV:

At first, having lost all my groceries, I felt an urge to visit the supermarket, but I was too tired, and I decided to rest at the hotel before returning to the market. As I looked around for a cab, I saw a sign board titled 'Motor Park' and impulsively walked towards the bustling area filled with cabs. To my astonishment, the cab drivers stared at me menacingly and began hushed murmurs.

I held my handbag tightly, wondering where I'd find a cab. Most had refused me, saying I was a stranger, and the few that waited had flown away upon hearing my destination: the Ku Di Jo Hotel. According to them, it was too risky. As I pondered my next move, a beautiful black car pulled up in front of me and parked. The driver lowered the car window.

“Are you heading somewhere, ma'am?” The driver asked politely. I was not able to see the person properly because he or she was dressed in a black cloak, wore a purple hat, and the person's eyes were hidden behind black glasses. But judging from the voice, it was obvious that the person sounded like an older female.

“Hmm, kind of. I am headed to the Ku Di Jo Hotel, and the cab drivers refused to take me there. I would have trekked, but I'm new in town and don't know where the hotel is located. But if you would be kind enough to direct me to the hotel, I will be on my way and will forever be grateful,” I explained to the mysterious older woman, frustrated by the way I was being treated by the villagers.

“It's fine! Get into the car; I will take you there.” The woman announced, and I was surprised by her words.

“Hmmm, but I don't know you. Do you expect me to follow a stranger just like that?” I asked with a puzzled expression, and the woman immediately started her car's engine.

“I am sure you don't know the taxi drivers, yet you are willing to enter their cab. Look here, child; I am not planning to kidnap you. I mean, if I kidnapped you, what would I use you for? Moreover, if I do want to kidnap you, I can simply tell the villagers to arrest you, since you are a stranger.

Lastly, I am a popular woman in this community, and I'll never do anything to destroy my good name,” the woman explained curtly. “So, are you entering or not?” She asked patiently, and I didn't need anyone to tell me what to do.

I quickly opened the door and entered her car. “I am sorry, ma'am; I didn't mean to sound rude. I was just trying to be super careful. Also, thank you very much for welcoming me into your car.” I appreciated her and bowed my head remorsefully.

The woman kept quiet and continued with her driving. She never once turned to face me throughout my stay in her car. When the silence became too awkward for me to bear, I thought of several ways to clear the atmosphere.

“Hmm, ma'am. Please, how much am I going to pay?” I brought out my purse and opened it, hoping to pay her for her service.

“Keep your money. We haven't gotten to the Ku Di Jo hotel,” she replied curtly, her gaze still focused on the road.

“Oh, I thought as much. But still, I want to know the price, to prepare ahead,” I answered politely, a broad smile on my face.

The woman kept quiet and continued driving until we entered a dense forest. I couldn't see any humans, the forest was dead quiet, and the crickets had a field day. Bats kept flying in the sky, and I could hear scary animals hallowing; it was like the animals were talking at once, nearly damaging my eardrum.

I could see shadows in the dark; they were looking at me, smiling and whispering to themselves, and this sent shivers down my spine.

“Ma’am, are you sure this is the right way? This place looks too quiet,” I whispered harshly, looking around in bewilderment. The eerie environment caused goosebumps to rise on my skin. To make my anxiety worse, the woman refused to answer my question and sped up the car.

My hands began to shiver, and I nearly threw up, thinking I had been kidnapped. “Ma'am—ma'am, please, stop the car, please,” I begged desperately, my voice turning hoarse, but she acted deaf and sped up the car. All I could see through the windows was darkness and scary, tall trees.

I kept shouting till we got to a certain part of the forest. This place looked creepier when compared to anywhere I'd ever been, and there was a huge hotel made of bricks. The hotel was decorated with ancient symbols, and five big palm trees surrounded it, giving it the ancient look. She stopped the car in front of the hotel, and the car door opened.

“Welcome to Ku Di Jo, child. I hope you have a wonderful night here,” she whispered in a menacing voice.