Night time loomed over us as we walked through the forest.
Even though Kiku and I left the house in the morning, we were having trouble of knowing where exactly we needed to look in the forest.
We can't ask any of the locals, but the older ones kept asking us if we are heading to the forest (Since Kiku can't understand Icelandic, I have to do most of the talking). From the older ones, we discovered a rumour about a mansion hidden in the very depths of Heiðmörk that would only be found if someone wandered there aimlessly.
So that ghost from my house discovered the building by simply wandering there by mistake.
We also discovered from the older locals that recently, a lot of people have wandered into the forest and hasn't come back yet.
I'm starting to fear the worst.
"The family has no name." The Japanese man suddenly interrupted the silence of the night. I looked at him with a confused face.
"Huh?"
"The family is nameless, if you are wondering why I never mentioned their names in my story earlier. In order to keep themselves isolated even further, they erased all accounts of their names which is one of the reasons why this family has no records."
"Didn't you say earlier that you investigated the father's place? Wouldn't you find out his real name?"
"During my investigation, I found notes from the father. Whenever a note is meant to mention his name, it is crossed out and unreadable." He looked at the ground and sighed, "That's one of the things I'm also trying to find out. I want to know if any other members of his family has records of their real names. I know for a fact that they are Japanese."
Kiku's really serious about finding out more about this mysterious family from his nation. I wonder…what that investigation he did…did to him?
What will this experience do to me?
"Hey Kiku, can you tell me more about your investigation?" I asked but he turned to me and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to tell anyone right now what I've been through." He looked at me with unusually sad eyes before looking straight ahead in his path.
I guess I have to leave him alone about that topic. I just wish I knew though…
As we continue our way in Heiðmörk without knowing what direction we are going, I began to think about how Lukas named this place back in 1950 when he arrived by surprise to observed the then new area of Reykjavik.
"Hmm…this is the biggest forest I've seen in the nation." I looked around, "What should I call it…?"
"Thinking of a name, Emil?"
I looked behind me to see Lukas approaching me, without an expression on his face as usual.
"W-why would you care?" I turned away from him, "This is a new municipal conservation area of Reykjavik. It doesn't concern you. So if you may, please leave me alone."
I was about to walk away when I felt a hand on my shoulder, "And this conservation area has no name yet. I came here to check up if you are fine, and I heard that you are examining this area."
"Well I'm fine, and there's no need to check up on me, "I scoffed, "I can handle this by myself, I'm no child anymore."
"Well, in that case," He paused, "…I have a suggestion for a name. Why not call it Heiðmörk? Its derived from Hedmark, a county in Norway with deep forests."
"Heiðmörk…" When I said it, it somehow has that click in my tongue, almost as if it fits this forest. When I said it multiple times, I can see Lukas smile.
"You observed the area well, but you need help with naming. That's what big brother is for. Remember, big brother." He released his grip from my shoulder but he went close to my ear, "Big brother, big brother, big brother…"
"Shut up!" I took a few steps away from him while feeling hot in my cheeks, "First of all, I'm still not saying that! Second, you suck at naming! You called me freakin' Iceland when you came here! Real imaginative name there!"
"Don't blame me, blame Hrafna-Flóki." He took a few steps closer to me, "He told me that he saw from the high mountain that the fjord was filled with pack ice. You seemed satisfied by the name I gave you when you were really small."
"I blame you vikings…" I muttered angrily, "And stop moving closer to me, its creepy!"
"Big brother, big brother…"
"Emil-san."
Suddenly, I found my self blinking and staring straight ahead without focus. I must have daydreamed…or night-dreamed, that memory of Lukas giving me that name, but I also know that it became creepy after his suggestion…
"Emil-san, are you ok?"
I looked at the ground first, then I looked at the Japanese man, "I-I'm fine. I was just thinking of something that this place reminds me of."
I felt horrible after having that memory come back to me at a situation like this. This is the forest Lukas named, and this is the same forest where Lukas and the others disappeared to.
I feel so conflicted at this.
"Anyways," Kiku interrupted, "We are already here, it seems."
That woke me up completely. I slowly looked up in front of me and what I saw didn't really make me stare in awe or yell out.
I grabbed the camera out of my satchel, "So this is…"
Its the mansion where everyone disappeared to.
"It is." Kiku nodded, "It is much wider than taller. Well, it has to be that way since it'll be very noticeable from a distance if its any higher than 2 floors."
The mansion is indeed wide. The gate and brick fence itself that surrounds the whole building is probably the largest square area I have ever seen. Plus, with the over abundance of trees in this one area, the mansion is hard to see from an eye level and from a bird's eye view.
I also have to admit, if whoever owns this mansion places it in a more open area near volcanoes or a lava field, then it would make it less obvious to find it. However, for the area to be a bit near Reykjavik…
Did this person have a plan?
Kiku walked ahead of me towards the gates, probably to observe it.
Meanwhile, I stared at the camera in my hands. It looks anciently old and has a bit of rust on its outer form, but when I used it earlier this morning it was working well. I wonder what that paranormal investigator did to make such a camera like this…? It certainly made impact towards occult enthusiasts and maybe if that guy could tell other people his methods of making this camera, then it would be one of the greatest inventions today.
If only this camera didn't affect everyone the way it affected this Japanese family.
"Emil-san, take a look." He called out, standing in front of the metallic gate.
The moment he called me, I quickly walked to him. He pointed out to the loose chain around the gate, as well as a rusty lock on the ground.
"A lot of people must have wondered here." He picked up the lock from the ground, "I'm sorry, Emil-san…"
I grabbed the lock from his hands and took a good look it at. The lock appears to be broken, most likely from overuse or perhaps someone at some point destroyed the lock. The ground where the lock was placed on was filled with footprints that tramples over other footprints.
To think so many people, my people, went inside this mansion and was never heard from again…to begin with, this nation has roughly 340,000 citizens and that's incredibly low. I've never told anyone about this, but that low density population combined with active volcanoes has put my health down. I've never bothered mentioning this to anyone.
So when I heard that so many people wondered here and never returned, I felt my chest ache from both guilt and anger.
I mentioned earlier that this place is a bit near Reykjavik, the capital. Meaning its filled with people. If the person wanted to be more isolated, then maybe being near an active volcano would do the trick. I wonder what that person was thinking when deciding on a place to live in, here in Iceland?
I threw the lock down to the ground with a considerable force, surprising the Japanese man a bit, "Emil-san?"
"I'm ok, Kiku." I looked at him as I held the gate with anger in my face, "I…will avenge my people. When I find the killer in there, I swear to god I'll stop them from taking any more of my citizens."
"You will also find your family too." Kiku also held on to the gate, "As for me, I won't stop until I can find this family and figure out the mystery. if I can find this whole family, then these types of occurrences will stop haunting people of their lives. Us nations will be able to live in peace along with the citizens."
We both nodded at the same time, and then we opened the gate. Feeling a bit tense in my stomach, I went in after Kiku did albeit I was much slower. From the slow pace, I heard my footsteps becoming louder and louder…
When I finally went past the gate, I heard a metallic slam behind me and I instinctively looked back. I saw a blue fog enveloping the gate, and spreading itself over the brick fences.
Kiku quickly walked to the gate in an attempt to open it. However, the moment he touched the gate, he was pushed by an invisible force quite a distance away.
"Gah!" Then he landed on the ground. I immediately ran to his side.
I extended an arm to him, "Are you ok?"
"Yes." He grabbed my hand, "Thank you. However, it looks like we are trapped in here by that blue fog."
When I helped him stand up, I looked at the blue fog surrounding the only means to truly escape from this place. Its flowing over the fences slowly and almost covering my vision of the entire forest outside.
No going back.
"Let's proceed inside." I said while he nodded.
Since I'm the only one holding the only means of defence, I walked ahead of Kiku so that in case anything pops out I'll be able to take it with the Camera Obscura.
The door to the building itself is a bit of a walk, especially with our slow pace. We can't be too reckless in a place like this, especially if this is the same area where everyone disappeared to.
I noted myself of how everything is quiet. Too quiet. When the blue fog surrounded the area, the sounds of rustling leaves and the wind suddenly halt to a complete stop. Since the path to the door was made of concrete, I can hear my footsteps becoming even louder than ever. Every step I take is like a clock that is ticking with the loudest sound. Hearing my and Kiku's footsteps getting louder, I felt my heart beating faster and faster out of anticipation.
Its the same sensation of fear that I felt when I encountered that ghost in my house.
Finally reaching the door that felt like an eternity to get to, I stopped when I saw something odd imprinted on the doors. They are red papers with Japanese symbols on them, sticking to the door. I've seen these types of papers before, I heard that they are used as charms…?
"Ah some omamori…"I heard the Kiku mutter behind me.
I looked at him over my shoulder, "What are these? How come they are sticking to the door?"
"These are the special omamori, specifically used for trapping ghosts outside or from stopping ghosts from entering an area. In this case, these paper charms are stopping ghosts from leaving this mansion." He went closer to the door and touched one of the papers, "However, these are not enough to stop very powerful spirits, like the one that sent that ghost to your house."
"Were these also present in your own investigation?"
"Yes. However, they were placed differently." His answered swiftly, making it more obvious that he doesn't want to talk more about that.
Looking at Kiku, I noticed that his normal stoic expression changed to that of sadness in a matter of seconds after I asked my question. I'm feeling guilty for asking him a question that is related to his own investigation that happened a while ago, but its also really puzzling as to what that investigation is all about and what happened in his experience.
If he remained strong to help me even if he is a bit traumatised from his past experience…
Then I have to be strong for myself, for my people, for Kiku, and most of all, for my family.
I opened the door, which emitted a creaking sound that echoed inside. I entered slowly with Kiku following behind me and I heard the door closed, probably him.
The area is dark, but it has little lighting in the form of small candles. This whole area is a large foyer with a chandelier filled with crystals hanging from the celling, which is sparkling despite very limited lighting. There are big stairs in the middle leading to the second floor and right by the stairs are a few stone statues of dragons.
What caught my eye though, are the many paintings up on the wall and some tattered frames on the floor. Most, if not all paintings, are pitch black. Its like the blackness of the painting is covering what was originally there in the first place.
There's a door to my left, and I can see it open very slightly. I should start there, maybe It'll lead me somewhere where I should be.
"Emil-san." Kiku said, "I'll let you lead from here on out, since you are the one using the Shaeiki. I'll follow behind, and I'll make sure not to be a burden to you."
Him being a burden to me? Well…he is the one truly investigating this place while I'm here just to save everyone. I think we are just burdens on each other.
"Its ok. Just don't let your guard down." I replied, "I can't have you disappearing on my watch."
Reaching the slightly open door, I opened it completely and we both entered inside. It turns out to be a long hallway that has two branches, one going forward and one going to my right.
We started walking through the hallway. For most part, the hallway is mostly wooden with a lot of dirt smudges on the walls and the floor. The wooden floor creaks with every step we take, so we have to walk slowly.
We almost reached the branching pathways when I saw someone walking from the right path to the forward path. It was a little girl, about 11 years old, walking quickly as if she is finding something…
"Where are you…? Where are you…?"
The girl is glowing a bright blue. She is dead.
Almost on instinct, I held out the camera and took a picture of the little girl. When I placed the camera away from my eyes, the girl disappeared.
Just knowing that even a child would be here…makes my heart sink.
"You can mourn for your people at a later time, Emil-san." Kiku placed a hand on my shoulder, "When you took that picture of the child, you managed to make a part of her spirit rest from this place since she disappeared afterwards. There will be a sign, if you managed to help a ghost rest in peace completely."
He's right, I can't mourn for them now. At least knowing that I'm helping the little girl move on to the after life eased up a small bit of weight from my heart. Too bad I haven't completely helped her ghost, but its nice to help out.
Deciding to move forward, I went to the forward path where the little girl was heading to. I passed by the other path.
Then I felt a chill that someone is looking at me.
My head immediately faced the other path, but I found that there was nothing there.
Kiku stopped walking when I stopped as well. When I looked back at him, he looked back at me as if he knew what I felt, that slightly angry look of his just screams at me that he knows the feeling.
Signifying that I should move on, I continue forward to the path I chose. There's single door at the end of this pathway.
Opening it, I ended up being surrounded by living room furniture with white clothes covering them. The white sheets accumulated a lot of dust, I'm afraid of touching the furniture if it meant that dust will fly all over the place.
"Where are you…? Where are you…?"
Hearing the voice of that same little girl, I immediately looked around with the sight of the camera. The little girl kept muttering those same words like a mantra, and she sounds more afraid the more she says it.
I'm immediately having trouble finding the source of that voice, looking behind me I even saw Kiku looking around for that girl.
"Where are you…?"
That sounded dangerously close but the echoing sounds makes it hard to find a specific point. Then, I saw something glowing below me.
Removing the camera, I looking below me and saw that same little girl looking at me.
I stared at her with shock, as I'm looking directly at the eyes of a ghost. I became wary of her, as I don't know if she'll attack me or do something to me if I let my guard down.
Kiku pulled me back a bit by my shirt, "Be careful Emil-san!"
When he pulled me back, I focused more on the little girl's face. She's looking directly at me, with those large eyes of hers…those eyes that yell how lost and frightened she really is.
"Wait Kiku." I released myself from his grip and walked up to the little girl, "Are you…looking for someone?"
When I said that to her, I saw her hands covering her face and I could hear small sobs. She's crying…
I knelt down so I could be at her eye level, "Don't cry…you'll be able to rest soon, lítil stúlka…"
She placed down her hands and looked at me again. That's when I noticed something from her body, more specifically at her neck. I can see black jagged lines on her throat and from those lines, I can see a few red colourings…
Something scratched out her neck, which reached her throat and she died by being suffocated by scratches…
"Where…are…you…?" The little girl looked to my right and pointed at that direction. Over there past some of the tall covered furniture, I can see a small staircase leading upstairs.
Satisfied with knowing another lead, I took my camera out and took a picture of that girl again. Once again, she disappeared afterwards.
Standing up again, I looked at Kiku, who has that look of some shock but at the same time, he looks a bit happy. He didn't smile but I can tell from his eyes.
"…I made the right decision to come to you for help."
Nodding to him, I started to head to the direction where the girl pointed to and that's the staircase that's hidden by some tall furniture.
Reaching the stairs, I was about to immediately walk up when I noticed a small wooden table that has no white cloth over it and on the table is a pen.
"Kiku, do you mind if you can wait? I want to write something."
"Go ahead Emil-san." He nodded, "Its best if you can record your progress."
I kept the camera inside my satchel and got out my light blue journal. I grabbed the pen and started writing my experience so far.
Entry no. 1
Kiku and I started our journey through Heiðmörk, then he mentioned how the family has no name tied to them. It reminded me of how Lukas gave this forest its name. The mansion was a lot wider than it is taller, to camouflage it by the trees. When we entered the gate, we became locked in by a blue fog.
It meant that we can't leave.
Exploring the mansion, we saw a ghost of a little girl who kept muttering 'Where are you…?'. I felt horrible, knowing that a little girl died in this god forsaken place. She appeared to me again, leading us to a staircase while muttering those same words.
I'll keep going.
Iceland's first few moments in the mansion. I just hope that I can at least write this genre right...
So please review if you want to say something.