The middle of the forest ( Juan and his winged horse 2)

Arturo went on to his journey despite the girl's warning.

Guys these are the generous souls that help me go through my journey here and together with you too. Thank you so much, dearest.

After an hour of walking through the bushes and giant trees, Arturo saw a flowing stream from the mountain valley and decided to walk through the banks but before that he drinks a few gulped from the crystal clear water to fill in his thirst. The water tastes so sweet and refreshing to his system.

Upon reaching the supposed to be the source of the stream twin falls were flowing from the top of the mountain forest. Arturo look around trying to figure out where to go through because the place was surrounded by big rocks and thick bushes and trees already and the only means to get out was to go back from where he entered the place. Suddenly a sound of a crow echoed to the place and Arturo saw a big black crow flying through the middle of the twin falls. Arturo saw the waterfalls split into two as if it gave way for the crow to get in through it.

Arturo hurriedly walks towards the falls and attempt to walk through it like the crow, and that's it the water split again to give way for him to step inside. Arturo saw a short tunnel and a light at the end of it. He run to reach the end of the tunnel as fast as he could but to his surprise, the end seems running away from him too. He fell to his knees catching his breath when sudden lights consume him and brought him to the ground surrounded by many trees. Not far from he was brought by was a small old-looking house were standing. Arturo hurriedly get up to his feet and started to walk towards the house.

Hello! Anybody home?" Arturo calls.

He tried to knock on the wooden door but seems no one was in the house at that moment. Arturo look around and saw a big pomelo tree at the back of the house. The tree was full of grown fruits and seemed all are ripe and ready to pick to eat. Their color was shimmering pink on the outside. Arturo with wide-eyed trying to find a stick to poke some of the fruit. He is about to hit one of the fruit when a voice caught his attention.

"Do not poke the fruit, climb the tree instead and pick whatever and as many as you want to prevent any damage of the fruit." The hoarse voice said.

Arturo dropped the stick and look around and to his surprise, he saw the lady in his dreams standing at his back holding a wooden cane. The lady approaches him slowly.

"What are you waiting for," said the lady. "Pick as much as you want then go home, young man". The lady continued.

To his shock, Arturo can't compose himself immediately and ask the lady if he can buy at least one fruit for his wife.

" Are you deaf? I said to bring home as many as you want of the fruit for one condition." The lady answered.

"W-what condition?" Arturo stammered.

The lady smiled and let her ugly blackened teeth show and said.

"You can get as many fruits as you want but after the birth of your firstborn and if it is a boy I will come to get him after a week of his birth in exchange for the fruit that you get, but if it is a girl then the baby is all yours." Said the lady and laugh like a madwoman.

Arturo hesitantly sits to the ground thinking of a way out. After a few seconds of thinking, Arturo comes up with a plan.

"Okay", Arturo replied. " if it is a boy then you can get our baby but if it is a girl then you let her be. Alright deal." Arturo said.

"Alright, young man, that's our deal. Don't try to trick me for I know anything about my target." Said the lady laughing out loud and went to her house happily.

With confidence, Arturo picked as much as he could of the pomelo fruit. And began to step towards the falls. As soon as he enters the waterfalls his sight went blurred to dark and a long flat line ringed to his ears and passed out.

Arturo felt a tug to his side and upon opening his eyes it was his dog pulling his shirt. And as he gets up he realized that he was already at their fields and it was almost nightfall. The dog bark at him and began to run away towards their house. Arturo remembers the pomelo and checks his surroundings and found the fruits in a wooden basket right beside him. He immediately carries the basket and runs his way home.

"Maria! Maria!" Arturo called out happily.

His wife looked out the window excitedly happy.

"What makes you so long Arturo?" I am so worried about you my love." Maria said with tears.

Arturo hugs Maria and gave the basket full of pomelo fruit. Maria's eyes were wide open upon seeing the fruits and without any hesitation, she plucks out the fruit cover and started to munch the pinkish and seedless flesh of the pomelo. She is in her best appetite while eating the fruit as if she has never eaten pomelo before. Just in one sitting, she finished all three pomelos.

Time flies fast and the time for their child to be born has come. Maria started to feel the pain of labor early in the morning so Arturo went out to see the hilot to assist his wife in giving birth. After a few hours of labor Maria successfully gave birth to a healthy and handsome boy. Both the couple was happy having their baby coming to this world.

After the hilot left the house of the couple Arturo decided to tell his wife about his deal with the lady whom he gets the pomelo. He also stated his plan in case the lady will come for their child. Maria silently cried and blamed herself for the faith of their child. She hugs her baby boy and whispers love and joy and a chant of protection for the baby.

One day more before the week is completed, as what Arturo and the lady deal was about to come. In the evening before the last day of the week, Arturo went to their neighbor and beg to borrow their baby girl just for tomorrow to disguise as their baby so that the lady won't take their baby. Arturo tells also his neighbor about their plight and his deal with the lady. Luckily, his neighbor agrees with his plan and lets their baby girl with Arturo.

The last day of the week came. At three o'clock the lady in black appear at their doorsteps. Maria trembles upon hearing the hoarse voice of their visitor. Arturo let the lady gets in their house and proudly presented to her their borrowed baby girl. The lady smiled.

"What a sweet baby girl." The lady said and flick the nose of the baby. " She is two weeks older than your baby boy Arturo." The lady said smilingly.

The couple gets surprised and nervous at the same time. Maria began to panic but Arturo stand and told the lady to go because their baby is a girl and has to follow their deal.

"The baby girl is not your child Arturo, don't try to trick me dear for I know where is your baby boy," the lady said and laugh.

"What are you saying? Our baby is a girl as you can see." Arturo points out.

The lady slowly walks towards a big wooden box inside the house. And pointed her cane at it and ask Arturo to open the box with a mischievous smile.

Maria immediately pleads and kneels in front of the lady to spare their baby boy. She tries to settle the lady with all that they have just to let their baby live with them but unfortunately, the lady still took their baby boy and went away humming.

The couple left with tears and a heavy heart in losing their baby boy. But in a distant place, a winged creature fixed its eyes on the boy.

Ouch! I never expected this story to go for this long when written. It seems shorter when orally told. But anyways dear readers thank you again for being with me with this fictional article of mine.

I try to publish tonight or at midnight the next chapter so that you will not hang so long in waiting.

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

Again, THANK YOU to all of you!

I love you all🧡🧡🧡.

Article #76 2-3
Published: February 4, 2022
Time: 3:12 PM PH 
All images used owned by me 
     unless otherwise stated 

Love,

Kendy42🧡