<< There was a time, a lonely traveler,

  Lost in darkness, forgetting the way back,

   Through the trees, he ran in fear,

  Chased by shadows, figures drawing near.

Oh, Lamia, Lamia, your beauty so pure,

Calming the wildest soul, a heart to allure.

Oh, Lamia, Lamia, we know it’s you.

 The one who haunts, the one so true!

Oh, Lamia, Lamia! >>


The four men sang together, with Andrew passionately expressing the words as the rhythm of the song overtook his mind. They climbed steep slopes, walking relentlessly through the snow-covered forest, which seemed endless.


<< Oh, Lamia, Lamia, we know it’s you.

 The one who haunts, the one so true!

Oh, Lamia, Lamia! >>



Milo suddenly stopped singing. So did the other three. Silence spread, waiting for some sound that would signal her presence. Milo exhaled deeply and continued walking , starting the song over again. The others followed, joining in the call.



The sun set, and the light began to fade, making way for the fierce night. The cold began to strike harder, forcing them to put on their fur hoods, though they couldn’t escape the trembling. Andrew sang even though his teeth chattering from the cold.


They walked over a bridge. The frozen waterfall to their right was looming like a massive iceberg. Far below them, a vast crystal- blue expanse appeared, with the sharp peaks of rocks shining threateningly from afar. Andrew abruptly lifted his gaze, dizzy from the height, and instinctively pressed his stomach. Ches, standing behind him, lightly pushed him forward urging him to continue. Andrew, gripping the rope on one side of the bridge, and began singing again, making a try to distract himself from the unsettling thought of that bridge falling beneath him.

He put on his cloth earplugs, attempting to trick himself into believing he wouldn’t become a victim of that demon again.


<< Oh, Lamia, Lamia we know it’s you, The one who haunts, the one so true!>> they shouted before stopping abruptly.


A flock of birds suddenly unfurled above them, flying away as various animal cries filled the air, heightening the atmosphere like alarm bells signaling danger.


<< She’s here..>> Milo whispered and pulled the flask from his backpack, offering it to Frankie, who drank a small amount of the antidote.


<< Will it be enough? >> Andrew asked


<< What? >>


<< You didn’t drink much.. Will it be enough? >>


<< Yes! >> Frankie responded bluntly.


<< You, Milo. You haven’t drunk at all..>>


<< I don’t need it..>> Milo replied.


<< Drink! >> Frankie commanded, pressing the bottle to Andrew’s chest with force. Andrew drank without reacting. Yet, internally, Milo and Frankie’s behavior began to stir his curiosity.


<< It tastes different.. Is it the same as what I drank yesterday? >> he asked trying to hide his unease.


<< Yes!>>


<< What is this, anyway? >>


<< Holy water..>> Frankie answered curtly and continued walking.


Andrew, troubled, reached his hand back.


<< Ches..>> he whispered, but the lack of response made him turn around.


The young man was standing motionless at the edge of the bridge, leaning toward the abyss.


<< Ches!!>> Andrew shouted and accidentally thrown the flask from his hands- that it fell over the bridge- and he instinctively rushed towards him!