Episode 24: Dangerous Flowers
The next morning, Kurapica checked us out of the hotel after we had our lunch.
" We'll have to make our way to Frasia if we're going to reach the airship on time, " he told us.
Senritsu and I nodded in agreement.
" But how do we get there, Kurapica? " I asked him.
" We'll have to pass through a forest once we get to the periphery of this city, " the seventeen-year-old answered. " Frasia is on the other side. "
" Are you sure about this, Kurapica? " Senritsu asked him for confirmation. " I mean, a forest is a perilous and strange place. We may never know what will occur once we're in there. Could we not find another alternative to get there? "
Kurapica shook his head.
" No, there are no other alternatives other than this. I've already done some research and there are none. "
Senritsu sighed, " I see. "
" There is nothing to worry about, Senritsu. There are three of us here, " I assured her.
The impenetrable forest stretched out in front of us like a portentous giant waiting to swallow us whole.
I felt a sudden chill running down my spine.
Turn back…!
Turn back before you regret it…!
Somehow, I could almost sense something ominous that was looming over us like a thick cloud, waiting for the right time to strike.
Something is going to happen…
I just know it…!
" We have to get moving now or we'll never make it, " Kurapica declared as he began walking towards to the woods.
Senritsu and I looked at each other before we ran, to catch up to Kurapica.
As we continued to walk further in, deeper into the heart of the forest, the sun disappeared completely.
Something's just not right…!
Try as I might, I could not push away that nasty feeling of mine.
I looked over at the others but they were just fine.
Maybe, it's just me…
Or maybe…
They're hiding their true feelings about this place…
" K-Kurapica-san? " I stuttered, breaking the silence.
He turned to me at the mention of his name.
" Uh, maybe we shouldn't be here. I think we should get out of here as soon as possible, " I told him, voicing out my feelings.
" We will, Hikari once we get to the other side, " Kurapica insisted.
But…
" It's no use arguing with him, Hikari, " Senritsu whispered to me. " Once he has already made up his mind then it'll be useless to talk him out of it. "
" He's plainly stubborn, " I sighed.
The woman chuckled.
" Won't he ever listen? " I went on.
Senritsu shook her head.
" Sometimes maybe but not all the time. "
" Really? "
She smiled and nodded.
" Hikari, Senritsu, would you please quicken your pace or you'll be left behind, " Kurapica interrupted loudly.
We had no choice but to follow him.
I looked around at the clearing where we were going to spend the night before continuing our passage to Frasia City. There was nothing here except for flowers of the same species, I could tell.
All of them have the same colour petals…
Black…
They look so familiar…
Just like that Devil's Illusion…
Is those things the Devil's Illusion…
If they were…
Then, we mustn't go near them…
Or touch them for that matter…
" Kurapica, don't touch those flowers! We don't even know whether they are harmless. "
Senritsu's warning came too late as I saw Kurapica's hand made contact with a flower's petal. Instantly, he fell to the ground.
For a moment, there was silence.
" KURAPICA! "
She rushed over to him just as I did.
" Kurapica-san? Kurapica-san? " I called his name out softly, easing his head gently onto my lap and patting his cheeks.
My voice did not even stir him. His eyes remained close. I placed my palm on his forehead. He was burning up with fever.
" Oh dear, Kurapica's heartbeat isn't normal, Hikari, " Senritsu informed me, looking troubled. " It's so faint that I can barely hear it. "
This is bad…!
" What kind of a flower is this? " Senritsu asked me.
" That's Devil's Illusion, a kind of flower which makes anyone who touches it has an instant high fever and… " I trailed off, looking back at Kurapica's now ashen face.
I knew that he was in pain. Deep pain.
" And what, Hikari? " Senritsu demanded.
I looked at her face.
" Hallucinations. It would cause the victim to act reckless or sometimes…aggressively. I have no idea what hallucinations that Kurapica-san will face since the symptoms varies from one person to another. The victims can even kill people around them unintentionally when they in a rage. "
On hearing this, Senritsu's face was drained of colour.
" Then, wh-what do we do now? " she asked me.
" There are certain herbs however in which to cure the victims from these
hallucinations – "
" Then, we have to find them quick! " Senritsu declared.
I shook my head, no.
" Senritsu, you have to bring Kurapica back to the hotel. There's still time before he undergoes these hallucinations. I'll find those herbs, " I told her firmly.
Senritsu agreed with me.
" Okay, I'll take Kurapica back but you have to promise me that you'll come back quickly. "
I nodded.
" Of course, I'll be there as soon as possible, Senritsu. "
Senritsu had to half-carry and half-drag the seventeen-year-old back where we came from as we split up.
I just hope that he won't have the hallucinations…
But…
There is only a mere two percent chance…
That it won't happen…