Chapter 10: Chapter 09: Lost
They stood outside facing a wooden building. It wasn't as big or small like they thought. But they weren't expecting the beauty of it as well. The cabin surrounded by a garden and wooden fence and they could even see natural pond in middle of the beautiful garden. The cabin itself was made of brown wood. Don't know which tree wood it is, but with the polish, it looks good. Even the roof is made of wood. No tiles or anything.
"Mm.... are you sure it was like this all along? Or your father prepared way too much?" Yumi wondered staring the cabin in disbelief.
Suneo chuckled. "You won't believe it. This hiking spot is active since 67'. And as far as I know, the cabin was built around 1995 or something. Ever since then, the family who owns the place renovates this place every once in a while. I'm sure we're seeing a recent upgrade." He answered.
They looks at him dumbfounded. But Nobita wasn't paying attention to the cabin. His eyes are somewhere else. He did hoped that he'll see a familiar glow if he looks at mountains. But so far no use. He's snapped of his thoughts when a small something wraps around his hand.
Looking down, he saw Kota looking up at him confused. "What happened, Nobita brother? Are you feeling okay?" He asked concerned. Nobita probably wasn't answering to him.
"I'm fine. Just having a view." Nobita replied.
Kota only nodded and looks at the cabin, while still holding his hand with Nobita'.
"So what now? Are we leaving for the hiking? Or?" Gian questioned.
"All of us are tired, Gian. We'll settle in for the day and set out early in the morning." Dekisuki suggested.
Other shrugged. "Sounds like a plan." Suneo said.
"You got it." Gian agreed.
"Okay." Shizuka said and Yumi nodded.
They however was expecting one more reply. Looking towards Nobita, they saw him looking back at them with an unreadable expression. He looks at each of them and shook his head. "You know that I don't care." He said confusing them. His voice sounded more like upset than anything. "I just am after some answers. A goddamn thing keeping me startled for over three days. It vanished, but people saying they saw it." He added but he closed his eyes and breathed in some fresh breath.
He let go of Kota' hand and looks down at the boy. "I'm going out for a walk, Kota. Stay close to them. I'll be back soon." He said.
Kota looks up at him also confused. "Where? Can I come too? Please." He said innocently.
"Maybe another time. I think I'm not in a mood." He said.
"What are you doing, Nobita?" Shizuka asked.
"Why are you upset all of a sudden? Did we do something wrong?" Dekisuki asked.
"I'm not tired, Dekisuki. I'm here because of that." He said pointing at the mountain. "I won't be any calm if I just locked up inside that cabin for a whole day. So I'm going out there. See things around and be back soon." He said turning around.
"Wait, what? You can't go out there alone. Come on, we should rest and prepare for the hiking. Or else it will be dangerous." Suneo said.
"Yeah, Nobita. Besides, it's past noon. I don't think it's easy up there if it gets dark." Dekisuki said.
"I've seen worse. Now, I'm leaving. That way I'm sure to be back soon as possible." He said and turned around.
Before they could even speak, he turned around and starts walking towards the big mountain. They wanted to follow him but seeing his mood change, they didn't want to upset him more, so they decided to enter the cabin. However it was a stupid decision and they knows it.
Meanwhile, Nobita only walked for some time and then sprints. If the rumours are true. He will find out what is going on and hopefully solve the mystery of the glow. Why is it happening and how is some questions he really wants the answer.
A kilometre of running and jogging, he eventually got there. The bottom of the mountain and looking around, he could only see a narrow opening on the the right side of the treeline. Even at the entrance the trail was steep, and one have to balance properly if not want slipping or falling to death. Nobita stood there and looks up at the pathway and slowly rolled up his hoodie sleeve and breathed in a few breath. Without any further delay, he moved forward and the first thing he did is get a hold of something to hold on and took each steps carefully yet quickly.
Nobita wasn't always good at anything. Hiking is no exception either. He used to give up or get tired easily. He still haven't got used to it. But what changed in him is the mindset of a weak boy. He simply learnt to keep going. And Nobita knows when to tap out either. Without any major physical attributes change, he simply thinks differently. Now he doesn't even compare himself to anyone else. He now knows something. The worth of living and appreciating how he is or will be. He knows it because, there is some point where he almost gave up on himself when his mentality became his tormentor. But he survived his own demons and started living. However he's not claiming to be normal. He's not normal. It's just a matter moments, when his sanity completely dies and he will become someone who cannot be mistook as a human being.
The way forward was all slippery and wet with all the raining. And the tree roots poking out of the ground could either be a step to climb on or simply thing you could trip on and fall. So even in his urgency, Nobita tried his best to stay safe. Well staying safe is just an empty phrase. Nothing here is safe. He's on a fucking mountain. Things could go wrong in many levels and ways.
Soon he was panting and god knows how long he was walking for. Time just goes by and he's unaware of the exact time. He still have his backpack though. So food and water is a check. He carried useful stuff in his backpack. He was prepared. Not for everything. But at least for the basic stuff. Nobody's perfect and Nobita knows that.
After a while of climbing he came to a point where the path he was following split up. The path he came has wet gravel and some support to take every step. But the way he came across has nothing except green tall grass. That path doesn't looks like it was used by anyone. He stopped there and looks at both of the ways. The path he followed was going up. But the unused however not was that steep. It's probably goes way too low. Any reasonable person would follow the path he came from. But there's a thought. Nobody found out the source of the sound they claimed they heard. It' not like nobody came searching for it. And there wasn't any news on somebody finding out what it was. So it means nobody found it yet. Why didn't they found it? Because they were all looking at one spot, followed one path only to reach one destination. A destination that doesn't have any point of reaching.
If there is something out there waiting to be discovered, and he has to find it, then isn't it stupid to follow the path that everyone went? Shouldn't he exploring or see it in a different perspective? The dangers are countless, but the truth of it all is only one. If he missed that answer, then he won't ever know. He fully faced the path which leads to the unexplored area and he took a deep breath and moved forward.
Being unexplored, the pathway didn't have a lot of free space to squeeze through. Tall grass and thick tree branches almost made the way a dead end. But it didn't discouraged him from moving forward.
He progressed forward and within next few minutes, the rain has started once again and the sky turned dark. It's only two or one hour away from dark. He can tell he's been away from his friends for over three of four hours. His steps were less steady and wobbly ones due to the rocks, grass and uneven tree roots that is poked out from the ground way too much. He took deep breaths as the cold rainwater hit his face and nose.
The rain droplets hit his eyes way too much and sadly he couldn't see clearly the way ahead of him. After two to three steps, his next step didn't found anything to step on. His eyes widened when his whole balance lost and he fell. With everything being so quick, he could only grab onto something. Whatever he grabbed didn't seemed like that tough, and it almost came down with him when his weight was supported given to it. His whole side hit the side of the rocky surface of the place he's hanging on to. She's sure his body is wounded on some places.
His breathing quickened and before he could do anything else, the something he was holding snapped and he fell into the unknown.
(MEANWHILE AT THE CABIN)
Nobita is gone out for five hours now. The rain poured enraged, which made them freak out even more. He said he'll be back soon as possible. But it's almost getting dark which now topped with the heavy rain. Shizuka and others gathered around at the main room of the cabin and each of them had a concerned face. Even Yumi has a worried look. Sure she's not fine with Nobita. But the thought of something happening to him freaked her out too.
"Where is he?" Shizuka almost cried out as she looks out of the window in hopes of seeing Nobita in the distance. But he's nowhere to be seen. They saw how much she's at the verge of exploding with tears. They do care too but, Shizuka is literally the only one going through a lot. She's afraid of losing him once again. Same goes for others, but they controlled their emotions.
"Calm down, Shizuka. Panicking like those won't solve anything. Just sit down for a minute. The mountain is far. He's probably on his way right now." Dekisuki said to keep her calm.
"How can I keep calm, Dekisuki? He's out there for give hours now. If the rain would've made him come back, then it should have been a hour ago. I'm worried. It's almost like everything happened two years ago is repeating. Except this time we don't know if he's alright or not." She shouted with tears falling.
Gian stood up immediately and looks at them. "I'm going out there." He said.
"WHAT? YOU CAN'T." Suneo shouted also concerned.
"IF THAT FOOL CAN, THEN I CAN SUNEO." Gian shouted back grabbing Suneo by his collar.
"NO. THINGS DON'T ALWAYS GOES LIKE WE WANT." Suneo shouted back.
"I DON'T CARE. I'LL MAJE IT WORK AND I'LL FIND HIM AND BEAT THE LIVING CRAP OUT OF HIM AND DRAG HIM ALL THE WAY BACK." Gian said, lifting Suneo up by his collar.
"Gian. Stop. STOP!!" Dekisuki shouted interfering and tried to free Suneo out of his hold.
"GET OFF OF ME YOU TWO. OR ELSE I'LL DEAL WITH YOU TWO FIRST." Gian threatened.
"No please, Listen man. Please." Dekisuki tried and eventually Gian looks down at him.
"WHAT?" Gian shouted.
"I said we can't go out for looking for him now. Just think, what will happen if we got lost too and cannot find one another?" Dekisuki reasoned.
"Then I'm going alone. That's the whole point in the first place." Gian said agitated.
"No. It's easy to get lost in a mountain. Especially if it's dark. We can't risk losing another one of us. What if Nobita is hiding from the rain and we'll act reckless and get lost? Nobody will come unless they knew if we were here. Just wait, okay. We'll look for him if he doesn't come back. But in a safe and clear environment. We'll contact police if we have to. Just hope that scenario won't come." Dekisuki explained.
They listened to him and knew he's right. "Just why not contact Nobita' number?" Suneo asked.
"I've tried. But the network coverage is bad. Telephone doesn't work for some reason." Shizuka replied in a low gloomy tone.
They were silent for some moments as they looked out of the window. "We shouldn't have let him go." Shizuka mumbled.
Others didn't have any answers. All they could do is wait and hope everything turns out good.
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