Ch 12: The Dog and Crow

Alice's second sister-in-law went inside to check and then came out, saying, "The stove is off. So how did the fire start?"

"The stove is off?" Alice's mother, Beatrice, said in surprise.

Everyone began offering their opinions, but no one could think of anything that would direct suspicion elsewhere.

Zeenat had gone to her room to change clothes. The rest of the family sat down at the dining table again. Grace stood behind Alice, who was silently contemplating why the fire hadn't completely consumed Zeenat.

☆

Alice remembered the time, day, and place, so she arrived at the restaurant where Ethan was already waiting for her. He brightened up with joy as soon as he saw her, his heart pounding with excitement.

Alice also put a smile on her face the moment she saw him. She had already decided how she would play her game with Ethan. She knew that simply rejecting him wouldn't be enough; she needed to kill the snake without breaking the stick.

She approached him and, in a changed tone, softly said, "I'm on time today, aren't I?"

"Yes," Ethan said with a smile. "Have a seat."

"No, let's go somewhere else," Alice said. "Do you have a car?"

"I came on my bike."

"Come on, I have a car. Let's go for a long drive, and we can talk," Alice said, smiling at him.

Ethan readily agreed.

They both left the restaurant. Alice handed Ethan the car keys and told him to drive. They sat next to each other in the car. After adjusting the car's direction, Ethan asked, "Where are we going?"

Suddenly, Alice looked at him and took a picture with her phone. "Just drive on any road; we'll go for a long drive."

Ethan shifted the car into gear, and soon they were out of the city traffic, heading towards the GT Road. Ethan's hands automatically steered the car, and it kept moving.

"Ethan, tell me something," Alice suddenly broke the silence.

"Yes, ask away," Ethan replied.

"Do you love me a lot?" Alice asked.

"Very much... I told you, you are my obsession," Ethan quickly answered.

"What do you want from me now?" Alice asked.

"I want the same love that I have for you," Ethan said.

"Then you won't leave me and go anywhere, will you?" Alice asked, looking straight ahead.

The road ahead was winding, with traffic passing by on both sides, but it wasn't crowded.

"How can I leave you? I'm praying to be with you," Ethan said.

"I've thought a lot. After thinking about it, I realized that there's hardly anyone I want more than you. So..." Alice paused and smiled faintly.

"So?" Ethan asked anxiously, looking at her.

"So, I've decided that I will respond to your love with love," Alice revealed her decision and smiled.

Hearing her words, Ethan's joy knew no bounds. He was overjoyed. He let out a sound of happiness, and their laughter echoed inside the car.

"Today, I'm very happy. It feels like I've received the greatest joy in the universe, like I've found a priceless diamond that will light up my life," Ethan continued, expressing his emotions.

"But I have one condition," Alice said.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I can't meet you every day. I can't talk to you on the phone every day because I have to study, and there are restrictions from my family. Even now, I had to send the driver away on an excuse. But when my exams are over, we'll tell our families about us, and then we'll walk together in the journey of life," Alice said.

"I agree. I won't bother you. I'll wait. But we'll meet at least twice a week, right?" Ethan asked, accepting her condition.

"Once... because I have exams next month," Alice said.

"Once is enough. That's all I need for peace and contentment," Ethan said.

"Slow down the car for a moment," Alice suddenly said, looking towards the right.

Ethan slowed the car down. Alice was looking in that direction. There, in the desolate forest, stood an old house. Alice asked, "Whose house is that in this wilderness?"

"I don't know," Ethan said, looking at her.

"Shall we go and check it out?" Alice suggested.

"Check what?" Ethan asked.

"Come on, let's see," Alice said, her eyes filled with curiosity as she looked in that direction.

Ethan steered the car towards the house. The path was rough and filled with bushes. Ethan carefully maneuvered the car, avoiding the thorns and small potholes.

The house was getting closer. Alice's eyes were fixed on it. Amid the silence and their conversation, they didn't realize that they had driven thirty-five kilometers away from the city.

Ethan parked the car a short distance from the house. Alice opened the car door and stepped out. She began examining the exterior of the house and eventually fixed her gaze on the wooden structure above. Ethan stood behind her.

"Shall we go inside?" Alice asked, looking at him.

"What do you want to see? This place feels strange," Ethan said, glancing around uneasily.

"Nothing feels strange. Come on, let's go inside," Alice said and began walking towards the entrance. Ethan hesitated.

Suddenly, Alice stopped. A strange fear crept into her body.

She quickly turned around.

"Let's get out of here," Alice said and hurried back to the car, taking her seat.

Ethan grabbed the steering wheel, and as soon as he tried to reverse, one of the car's tires got stuck in a pothole hidden in the bushes.

Ethan tried to get the car out, but it wouldn't budge. Just then, from the heights of the sky, a crow flew down, circled a few times, and then settled back on its perch.

The crow's gaze was fixed on their car. Seeing a crow larger than normal, Alice was astonished.

Ethan kept trying to free the car, but it felt as if something was holding it back.

Suddenly, the sound of a dog barking could be heard from afar. It was running towards them at full speed, as if its legs were powered by lightning. It was barking and running, heading straight for their car. Ethan kept pressing the accelerator, trying to get the car out.

Alice's eyes were on the dog, which was emerging from the bushes, sometimes disappearing behind them, as it ran towards them. It was growling and barking fiercely.

The dog had a strange appearance. Just seeing it from afar filled them with terror.

"Hurry up and get the car out!" Alice screamed.