Chapter 24: A Dangerous Path

"So, we're really risking our lives here?"

Alina stared at the river in front of her. The current was strong, crashing wildly against the large rocks. Her breath hitched, but the man behind the wheel of the black SUV remained calm.

The driver, a man in his forties with tanned skin and a blank expression, simply sighed before pressing down hard on the gas pedal. The SUV surged forward, plowing through the roaring river.

"Are you sure this will work?" Alina asked, her fingers gripping the seat tightly as the vehicle began to shake violently.

Leo glanced at her casually. "Relax. He's used to this route."

Alina remained tense. She had never feared danger before. Her soul belonged to a former mafia boss, one who was once feared. But in Aileen's body… everything felt different.

Fear gripped her. Anxiety crawled through her mind. Even the thing she despised the most—the ability to feel sympathy for others.

'I'll go insane if this keeps up. Her breathing quickened. Why is this body so weak, Aileen? No wonder your enemies hunted you so easily. You're a coward!'

Her breath hitched again. Her heart pounded faster than it should. Her fingers—once steady on a trigger—now trembled for no reason.

She bit her lip. No. If this body was weak, she would make it strong.

---

They drove all day, but the disaster site was still nowhere in sight. As dusk fell, the SUV finally came to a stop at the edge of a dense forest.

The driver, the middle-aged man with a calm face, took a deep breath before speaking.

"We stop here."

Alina frowned. "Why? Can't we keep going?"

The driver shook his head. "The river was dangerous, but we could push through it. This forest, though… that's another story."

He gestured ahead. A narrow path cut through the darkness, barely visible.

"The road is narrow, slippery, and if we get stuck, there's no help at night. It's too risky."

Alina glanced out the window. Now she understood. If they got lost or ran into trouble in there, the chances of getting help were close to zero.

"We'll continue in the morning, when the sun is high enough," the driver continued. "It's safer that way."

Leo, who had been silent the entire time, simply nodded. "Alright. I'll gather some firewood."

Without another word, he stepped out of the vehicle. Alina remained deep in thought.

It wasn't the forest that unsettled her. Something else was bothering her. An odd feeling that had gripped her ever since they neared this place.

The air was colder. The wind carried the scent of damp earth. An owl hooted in the distance, occasionally interrupted by faint rustling in the bushes. As if the forest was watching them.

Alina exhaled slowly. Maybe it's just my imagination.

Suddenly, Leo's voice called from afar.

"Alina! Can you help me? I need a hand!"

Alina jolted. Without thinking, she ran toward him. What happened? Did something go wrong?

"What's wrong?" she asked, slightly out of breath.

Leo simply gave her a small smirk, lifting a bundle of dry branches in his arms. "Help me carry this," he said nonchalantly.

Alina scowled. 'So he was just messing with me?!'

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" she grumbled.

Leo chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. But you came faster than I expected," he teased.

Alina huffed, but strangely, her irritation didn't last long. There was something about their companionship that felt… comforting.

Silence fell between them. Only the sound of rustling leaves and the whisper of the night wind remained.

Without realizing it, Alina voiced a question that suddenly popped into her mind.

"So, doctor… have you ever liked someone?"

Leo paused, then answered in a casual tone. "Of course. I really liked this one girl," he said as he arranged the firewood.

Alina fell silent. A strange feeling tickled her chest. "And… what happened?" she asked carefully.

Leo gave a small smile. But it wasn't a happy one. "Unfortunately, she rejected me," he said lightly.

Alina was stunned. So he's been rejected by someone other than me?

"Really? Why?"

Leo thought for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe she just wasn't into men," he replied vaguely.

Alina chuckled softly. "And after that… did you ever like someone else?"

Leo didn't answer right away. He sat under a tree, gazing at the darkening sky. When Alina looked at him, she saw something in his eyes. Sadness. Longing.

Alina swallowed. "Leo?"

Leo took a deep breath.

"Never," he murmured. "I never met anyone like her again."

Alina's heart pounded. "Then… where is she now?"

Leo lowered his gaze. His voice turned cold.

"She's dead," he said quietly. "Murdered by someone."

Alina felt the world stop spinning.

'What does he mean? Is he talking about me?'

But before she could ask, Leo spoke again.

"Funny, isn't it?" he said with a bitter smile.

Alina kept listening. Leo clenched the twigs in his hands and took another deep breath.

"Sometimes, I see someone… and they remind me of her. The way they move, the way they talk… even little things only she would do."

Alina held her breath. Who is he talking about?

Leo lifted his head, locking eyes with her. His gaze was deep, as if searching for something.

"Like right now," he continued quietly. "When I'm with you, I feel… something strange."

Thump!

Alina nearly stepped back. "Don't tell me he's realizing it?!'

But before she could think further, Leo only gave a small smile.

"Ah, forget it," he said casually. "Maybe I'm just too tired."

Alina bit her lip. There was something she wanted to say. Something she wanted to confess. That she was the woman Leo loved. But… would he believe her?

Her heart pounded. Her jaw tightened as her fists clenched on her lap. No. She couldn't say it. Not now.

For now, she chose silence. But one thing was clear—Leo still loved her.

That night passed in silence. The fire flickered between them, casting light on two people lost in their thoughts.

Leo stared into the flames, but his mind was elsewhere. Alina. He was beginning to suspect that the Aileen in front of him… wasn't really Aileen.

The way she sat. The way she huffed in mild frustration. Even the way she sighed. Everything felt too familiar.

Leo glanced at her unconsciously. At the same moment, Alina looked at him too.

Silence.

Does she realize something? In that moment, both of them knew. Something between them remained unspoken.

Without realizing it, the night had passed. The sky brightened, and the sun slowly climbed. It was time to continue their journey.

The black SUV sped through the forest road, its tires crushing the damp soil, leaving a long trail behind. There were no other vehicles on this path. Only them.

Alina glanced out the window, taking in the view of the quiet forest. The towering trees, their branches intertwining like a natural roof filtering the sunlight. The deeper they went, the darker and denser it became.

What kind of place is this? she wondered. Silent. Mysterious. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying strange whispers. This forest felt like it was hiding something beneath its stillness.

Half a day passed. After a long and exhausting journey, they finally arrived at a remote village. The only village in this region. Hidden at the foot of a volcano, shrouded by thick wilderness.

The SUV stopped at the village entrance, in front of a simple wooden gate adorned with ancient carvings. A few locals had gathered, watching them with wary expressions.

An elderly man, with weathered skin and a face full of wrinkles, stepped forward. His clothing was simple, typical of the villagers. He was the chief of this place.

"Are you the government's medical team?" he asked in a deep voice.