Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Its name is Hoia Baciu, without getting dressed or just applying lip balm, Valter has dragged me to this place, the creepiest forest in the world and also known as the Transylvanian Bermuda Triangle. Various supernatural phenomena and mysterious events occur here that cannot be explained, so it is often used as paranormal activity and a place to test the guts of various TV stations.

We slowly move into the forest which is famous for its various horror stories from 500 years ago. The atmosphere is so quiet, a little gloomy and wet, the sun occasionally peeks out behind the leaves.

The mystical atmosphere is very thick when entering the forest, even the uber driver who drove us to this place was confused as to why we had to go to this area. The local people were never brave enough to enter this forest because there were many legends about people who entered it and never returned.

I walked following Valter's steps, actually, there was a feeling of a little fear of entering. Especially since I came from a country that really believes in mystical things. Very different to Valter who doesn't look the least bit hesitant or afraid. I tried to get rid of my discomfort by making sure that it was daytime and bright enough, aided by my curiosity about the contents of this forest.

I didn't find any birds chirping here, only a ringing sound, and the rubbing of the branches from the trees, or noises that came and went.

"The name Hoia Baciu comes from the name of a shepherd who went missing along with 200 sheep when they entered this forest. This forest became very popular and was called the mainland Bermuda Triangle in the 60s when some people took pictures of several disk-shaped objects flying in the sky, above the forest. People who live near Hoia Baciu also notice some inexplicable lights at night and foreign objects in the sky." Valter said opening the conversation in the middle of a quiet atmosphere of a forest.

"You don't scare me," I said half whimpering. I leaned closer to Valter and grabbed his wrist.

Every now and then Valter stops to study the forest, takes some pictures and videos, there are lots of small berry trees ready to be picked, gypsy mushrooms of various sizes, trees bent into zigzags like they are dancing which become one element with a scary twist. It cannot be resolved scientifically why the trees in some of these areas look like the legs of dancing people.

There is also a grove of trees that has 4 large trees at the base the branches looked like skeletons twisted into a giant rope braid. Every now and then you see a deer peeking behind the trees and several eagles flying through the tops of the trees. In some parts, there are some foreign objects tied to the trees, such as toys and skulls that may be installed to make this forest more spooky.

Valter pauses as soon as he checks his digital compass, making sure that we are getting closer to the location of the 'dead zone' of Hoia Baciu's famous loop where no trees are growing. Reports of UFO events and ghost sightings in the middle of the forest formed a circular field that is barren. Several researchers have come deliberately to investigate the absence of vegetation there and so far they have given up as is no scientific explanation why the space is empty.

"Valter, why is it so quiet here? Isn't this place popular?" I said while observing a tree's shape which looked like a mossy little tree house. It was perfect silence, but it felt like something was wrong. I don't know.

"This forest is creepy so everyone runs away. The surrounding community often finds strange things, people who leave and never come back."

"There is a story about a little girl who got lost in this forest and did not return. The little girl disappeared for about five years but then reappeared after five years. Uniquely, during those five years, this girl did not change. The clothes are the same and they don't seem to have aged the same as when they disappeared." Valter said, making me shudder and leaning closer to him. Valter laughed at my silly behavior. We enjoyed walking around the forest and exploring deeper in the 'Dead Zone' area, a bit odd as there is no telephone signal service in parts of the forest.

We arrived at the Dead Zone, where there is no vegetation in the area. The trees made a circle around the barren area making it stand out. The place was also believed to be a portal which can take you through to another dimension or universe. "Are you willing to spend the night here?" Valter said while taking my video picture with a forest background. "I won't and never will," I said, shaking my head firmly with an angry face.

We immediately exited the forest area after being satisfied taking pictures, and before dusk arrived. I threatened to be furious if Valter stayed any longer in the forest.

Pufft...

I gave thanks after escaping and went away from the area that made my feelings uneasy. It was like something invisible was always whispering faintly in the ear all the way through the forest.

"Where are we going tomorrow, honey?" I asked, leaning my head on Valter's shoulder in the taxi that took us back to the hotel. "We will hike in Apuseni Mountains, about a 3 hour drive," he replied while checking his phone.

"What's so special about Apuseni?" I asked again, closing my eyes. "Beautiful landscapes, an explorer's paradise, many beautiful caves and high cliffs, valleys and local culture and traditional village way of life," he replied again.

I remembered Waerebo village in East Nusa Tenggara district, Indonesia. More or less, the view might be like that. The voice of Valter who was telling a story was getting fainter and fainter, the dreamland had blown my two eyelids.

Beep... Beep...

15 minutes later I was awakened by the sound of Valter's phone. I lifted my head from Valter's shoulder and tried to sit up straight, giving a little room for Valter to answer the phone. Valter answered the phone and chatted for about 3 minutes in German which I didn't understand.

"Who?" I asked curiously, rubbing my eyes, erasing drowsiness. "Mama," he answered simply, his face seemed to be thinking and there was a look of worry on his face. "What's wrong? Mama Maloree doesn't usually call unless it's really important," I said again, watching Valter.

"Looks like we should postpone the trip this time, Jade," while taking my hand and gripping my fingers. I know something seems wrong, no matter how calm Valter, he looks a little nervous. "Tomorrow we fly to Spielberg, Austria. My brother had an accident there," he said in a low voice.

I was shocked to hear the news from Valter.

"Brother who?" I said with great curiosity.

"George, he had an accident at the Red Bull Ring racing circuit, Spielberg, Steiermark, Austria." He said again.

"Oh, God. "

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