On a stormy winter night in the month of Poh, the sky roared with thunder, and the deserted paths were shrouded in darkness. Not a soul was in sight, and there was no sense of anyone’s presence far or wide. The wind howled fiercely, cutting through the cold. Jiona, delayed by work in his fields far from home, was trudging back on foot, lost in his thoughts, oblivious to the biting winds. The autumn season had stripped the trees, their leaves falling helplessly under the assault of the gusts. Halfway through his journey, with the other half still ahead, Jiona’s ears caught the faint sound of someone sobbing. A sense of another presence stirred within him.
He stopped and looked around, but there was no one—neither ahead nor behind. Jiona brushed it off as his imagination, thinking, *Who would be out here in the freezing cold at this hour?* But as he resumed walking, the soft sound of crying reached him again. He froze, scanning his surroundings. Off the path, in the bushes, he sensed movement. Hesitantly, he called out, but there was no reply. Gripping his sickle tightly as a makeshift weapon, Jiona cautiously approached the bushes, unsure of what—or who—he might find.
As he drew closer, he saw a young woman, about 22 or 23 years old, weeping. Her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were torn, caught in the thorny bushes. Her pitiful state startled Jiona. The icy wind worsened her frail condition, and she looked ill. Acting quickly, Jiona draped his blanket over her to shield her from the cold. Startled by his sudden presence, she cried out, “Who are you? Stay away, or I’ll kill you!” Sensing her distress, Jiona spoke gently to calm her. Though she repeatedly urged him to leave, Jiona knew it wasn’t right to abandon a lone woman in such a desolate place at night.
He stayed by her side, trying to learn more, but she was too shaken to speak. When he suggested she come to his village, she recoiled in fear. Her accent hinted she wasn’t from the area. Placing a reassuring hand on her head, Jiona felt a connection, a sense of humanity that compelled him to help. Though his own family—his children—awaited him at home, he couldn’t leave her. After promising not to tell anyone about her, he convinced her to come with him. Invoking God, he said, “Whatever God does, it is for the best,” and they set off toward his home.
Along the way, Jiona’s mind swirled with questions about her torn clothes and youthful appearance. *Did she run away from home? Has something terrible happened to her? Will bringing her home cause trouble for my family?* Yet, looking skyward, he reassured himself, *Whatever God does, it is for the best.* Her face, pale from the cold, prompted him to wrap his shawl around her for warmth. Despite his attempts to ask questions during the journey, she remained silent, perhaps harboring her own doubts about him. With no other choice, she followed quietly.
They both walked on in silence. Tiny raindrops intensified the biting cold. By the time they reached Jiona’s home, both were completely drenched from the rain. Jiona knocked on the door, and his mother, Surjeeto, opened it. Before she could scold him for being late, her eyes fell on the girl. Approaching her, Surjeeto asked softly, “Who is she, son?” The girl, trembling from the cold, said nothing. The wind and rain had grown fiercer. Surjeeto took the girl by the arm, led her inside, and closed the door. Jiona struggled to light a fire with wet wood, while Surjeeto handed the girl a shawl, urging her to dry off in another room. When asked, Jiona told his mother the girl had lost her way and would leave in the morning.
Jiona kept trying to light the fire, but the damp wood wouldn’t catch. Surjeeto took the matchbox from him and managed to start the fire. The sound of a baby crying drew Surjeeto to the room. Jiona’s three-month-old son, whose mother had passed away during childbirth, was being cared for by Surjeeto. Inside, she found the girl cradling the baby, soothing him until he stopped crying. For a moment, Surjeeto felt as if the girl were the child’s mother. She urged the girl to warm herself by the fire and took the baby to bed. Hearing footsteps, Jiona went inside. Surjeeto placed tea on the fire, her gaze repeatedly drawn to the girl with deep curiosity. She tried asking questions, but the girl remained silent, an eerie quietness cloaking her. The warmth from the fire began to ease her trembling hands. Surjeeto handed her tea, and Jiona took his to the other room.
Soon, the storm resumed. Surjeeto went to the kitchen to prepare rotis. She sent the girl to rest and told Jiona to do the same. Lost in thought, Jiona lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling as the worsening storm—howling winds, thunder, and lightning—unsettled his heart. Surjeeto called him to eat, startling him awake. In the kitchen, his restless mind dulled his appetite, but Surjeeto insisted he eat two rotis. When she asked him to offer food Conservancy to the girl, Jiona refused, saying, “You do it.” Surjeeto took food to the girl’s room, only to find her asleep, clutching Jiona’s son as if he were her own. It seemed as if a mother had reunited with her child after a long separation. Surjeeto called out twice to wake her, but the girl was in a deep sleep. Gently shaking her, Surjeeto managed to feed her a few bites before she fell back asleep. Covering them with a quilt, Surjeeto sat on the bed, her gaze fixed on the girl’s face. Lost in thought, she drifted off to sleep.
At dawn, Surjeeto awoke to find the door ajar and the girl gone. Shocked, she looked outside but saw no sign of her. Rushing to Jiona, she shook him awake. “Jiona, what happened? The girl you brought last night isn’t here! Where is she?”
Half-asleep, Jiona mumbled, “She must have gone back where she came from. She didn’t even want to come last night; I forced her. If I hadn’t, some wild animal might have gotten her. It’s morning now; she’ll find her way.”
Surjeeto’s heart was uneasy. “My heart doesn’t agree. She was in trouble, I’m sure of it. She didn’t tell us anything—who she is, where she’s from. Who knows what misfortune she’s facing? Go look for her! She must be nearby. A lone girl isn’t safe; people will judge her. Find out where she belongs and take her home.”
Jiona protested, “Who knows where she’s gone? Where do I even look?”
Surjeeto insisted, “My heart is restless. Go find her!”
Jiona quickly got up, stepped outside, and scanned the horizon. Moving forward, he searched but found no trace of her. The ground, still wet from the night’s rain, bore footprints leading toward the fields. Following them, Jiona reached a path near a canal. His mind raced with thoughts: *Who is she? What trouble is she in? Where could she have gone?* Hurrying along the tracks, he arrived at the Tibi, a desolate, eerie wasteland. No one ventured there, as it was believed to be haunted by spirits. Dense with trees and bushes, it felt like night even in daylight. Locals said those who entered never returned.
Jiona hesitated, wondering, *Why would she come here? Who is she? What’s her purpose?* His mind churned with questions, including the chilling thought: *Is she a ghost or a witch? Why would she go to such a terrifying place?* Mustering courage, he pressed forward, driven by the need to know. The deeper he went, the more sinister the forest became, with animal cries and rustling leaves. He considered turning back but steeled himself and continued. It was his first time in this place, known for its grim reputation. Yet, the girl’s innocent face and his desire to help propelled him onward. Looking skyward, he said, “Whatever God does, it is for the best.”
Deep in the Tibi, the weather turned ominous. Dark clouds gathered, and fierce winds roared. Thorny bushes scratched Jiona, drawing blood. He called out repeatedly, but in this desolate place, only animal cries answered. A sudden downpour forced him to take shelter under a tree. When the rain eased, he resumed his search, determined not to leave without her. The wasteland grew more menacing, but Jiona pressed on.
Suddenly, a chilling voice echoed, “Go back!” Jiona looked around but saw no one. Defiantly, he shouted, “I’m not leaving! I came for her, and I’ll take her back!” The voice warned, “This isn’t safe for you.” Jiona retorted, “I won’t abandon someone in trouble like a coward!” The voice grew menacing, “Your family is waiting. Who will care for them without you?” Jiona stood firm, “The courage my mother gave me isn’t so weak that I’ll turn back in fear. I trust God; whatever He does is for the best.” The voice sneered, “Don’t you fear death? It’s never a friend.” Jiona replied, “I’m no coward or selfish. Whoever you are, show yourself! I’m not leaving without her.”
A strange silence followed. Jiona called out again, but no reply came. As he searched, a cloud of dirt and mud struck his eyes. Rubbing them with his shawl, he heard footsteps and rustling leaves, as if someone had fled. Clearing his eyes, he looked around but saw no one.
!
But Jiona was not one to lose courage. He had realized by now that the path was fraught with challenges. Looking skyward, he murmured, “Whatever God wills,” and pressed forward to face the next ordeal. The rustling of various animals and birds in the bushes gave him the sensation of stepping into another world. Yet, Jiona was not among those who give up.
Suddenly, a monstrous, beast-like creature attacked Jiona. This creature was enormous, far larger than him. Jiona quickly steadied himself, struggling to free himself from its grasp. Though he was weaker in strength, his courage was unwavering. With great effort, Jiona managed to partially escape its clutches. Then, strangely, the creature released him and fled, as if terrified of something. Jiona couldn’t comprehend what was happening. The struggle had left him badly wounded, with blood seeping from gashes caused by the creature’s claws. He had nothing to ease his pain. Exhausted, Jiona slumped against a tree.
Fatigue lulled him into a brief sleep, and he dreamt of someone tending to his wounds. Soft, silken hands touched his injuries, and it felt as if all his pain vanished instantly. His exhaustion seemed to melt away. In the dream, a beautiful young woman was wiping the dirt and grime from his face and forehead with her scarf, her gentle touch soothing his agony. Jiona sank deeper into this dreamlike world. When he awoke, he found himself in a makeshift shelter made of branches, clearly crafted as a place to stay.
Seeing a clay pot nearby, Jiona drank some water and stepped outside, sensing someone’s presence. Peering out, he saw a girl on the other side of the bushes, busy with something. Jiona quickly fired off questions: “Who are you? Why did you bring me here? What’s your purpose in this desolate jungle? What are you doing? Answer me!” He unleashed all his questions in one breath.
“Rest,” the girl replied, partially hidden by the foliage. “You’ve lost a lot of blood. You need rest urgently.”
Jiona persisted, “Can I know who you are? You brought me here. Show your face!”
The girl repeated, “Rest. Your wounds are deep,” and resumed her work.
Frustrated by her evasiveness, Jiona approached her. She continued her task, ignoring him. As he questioned her again, she stood up, and her dark tresses brushed against Jiona’s shoulder, capturing his attention. For a moment, he was mesmerized, unable to speak, simply staring. Her face was veiled, revealing only her eyes, which held Jiona spellbound. Through her gaze, he felt a silent exchange, as if words were unnecessary. He stood frozen, lost in the moment.
“What’s wrong, sir?” the girl asked, snapping him out of his trance.
Still lost in thought, Jiona was jolted back to reality when she splashed water on his face. She began applying salve to his wounds.
“Who are you?” Jiona asked. “Why are you doing this?”
The girl countered, “First, you tell me what you’re doing in this terrifying jungle. Don’t you know about this place? People say it’s haunted by ghosts and spirits. Why are you here? I’ve even heard the spirits here are beautiful, casting spells with their eyes and trapping people. Are you not afraid?” She looked at him with a mix of mischief and mock fear.
Jiona replied, “Those who walk the path of death don’t fear spirits.”
The girl teased, “Then you haven’t met one yet.”
Jiona retorted, “Ghosts and spirits don’t come from another world; they’re from here too.”
The girl laughed, “Then it seems we’ll have to arrange a meeting.”
Jiona, half-joking, said, “Why wait? Let’s meet these ghosts now!”
She chuckled, “Hold on, no need to rush. Let your wounds heal first, then I’ll introduce you to the spirits.”
In a playful tone, Jiona said, “You seem like you’re from the ghost tribe yourself. Your eyes are like a spirit’s.”
The girl grinned, “Aren’t you scared? What if I’m really a spirit?”
Jiona replied, “Scared? Why? We’ll all become ghosts one day. There’s no need to fear death. Whatever God does is for the best.”
The girl said, “Rest for now.”
Jiona wanted to press on, but pain forced him to lean against the tree and fall back asleep. The girl continued applying salve to his wounds.
When Jiona awoke, the girl was gone. He frantically looked around, his heart restless. Nearby, he found a broken piece of a bangle—the same one the mysterious girl from that night had worn, the one he had come to this dangerous jungle to find. His mind swirled with confusion. That night, he hadn’t seen her face, but the bangle had glinted in the lightning’s flash. Now, conflicting thoughts plagued him: *Who was the girl from that night? Who was this girl who tended my wounds? Are they the same person, or someone else?*
Jiona was not one to give up, but he was torn—should he search for this girl or the one from that night? Were they one and the same? Drinking from the pot, he stepped out of the shelter. In the bushes, he found the cloth the girl had used to cover her face, stained with blood. Fear gripped him: *Has a wild animal taken her?* He berated himself, *Why did I fall asleep? She saved me from that beast, and I couldn’t protect her.* He realized she had been forcibly taken. Footprints and drag marks hinted at something sinister. Jiona scanned the horizon, calling out, but the desolate jungle offered no response.
Following the tracks, Jiona knew the challenge was greater than before. Looking skyward, he pressed on. After traveling far, the sounds of animals grew louder, their eerie cries suggesting someone’s presence. Jiona found the girl’s scarf, caught in the bushes, and hurried forward. As he pushed through, he sensed a human presence. Ahead, he spotted a hut. He was certain the girl had been brought here, but who could live in this desolate place?
A burning desire to uncover the truth surged within him: *Who is she? What’s her purpose in this jungle? Who lives in this hut? Is the Tibi truly haunted?* Approaching cautiously, Jiona hid in the bushes near the hut. Before he could enter, a beast-like creature emerged and sat at a distance, as if guarding the place. Its face was turned toward the hut, raising another question: *What is this creature? Is it real, or an illusion?*
Jiona circled to the back, finding a small window-like opening. Peering inside, he saw two more such creatures. He wanted to enter but had no weapons or means of defense. Alone, weak from hunger and exhaustion, he couldn’t confront three creatures. His mind raced: *What’s happening inside? Is the girl there? Have they harmed her?* Waiting for them to leave seemed the only option, but one always stayed behind. After hours of waiting, Jiona devised a plan: *I’ll disguise myself as one of them to get inside.*
Targeting the smallest creature, roughly his size, Jiona launched a surprise attack. With swift precision, he overpowered it before it could react, ensuring the others inside didn’t notice. Dragging it into the bushes, Jiona swapped clothes, adopting its appearance completely. He hid the creature and took its place, waiting for a chance to enter. He realized these weren’t demons but something else. Questions swirled: *Who are they? What’s their purpose? Why create fear about the Tibi? Who is the girl?*
One creature emerged, scrutinizing Jiona as if suspicious. Jiona stood still, gripping his sickle, ready to fight. After a tense moment, the creature signaled him to enter. Confident he wouldn’t be recognized, Jiona stepped inside.
Jiona entered the hut and stood silently. The other creature inside, already present, was resting calmly. Jiona carefully scanned the surroundings, noticing items that plunged him into deeper thought. He began searching for the girl. He found her headpiece, which she had worn on her forehead, lying on the floor, confirming she was here. But despite searching the entire hut, he couldn’t find her. Confused, Jiona didn’t know what to do next.
When it was time for the second creature to enter and Jiona to step outside, he lingered near the hut, pressing his ear against the wall to eavesdrop. After a long silence, the creatures communicated through gestures. From the small window at the back, Jiona observed as one turned a knob on the wall, revealing a hidden cellar. Unable to see inside, Jiona knew he had to wait for another chance to enter.
He quickly returned to his post, waiting for the second creature to come out. When it did, Jiona slipped back inside and turned the knob slightly, uncovering a hidden room beneath the hut. There, he found the girl, unconscious. He tried to wake her, but she didn’t stir. The cellar was filled with valuable items—weapons, animal hides, and more. Jiona realized these weren’t demons but poachers hunting animals. He tried lifting the girl, but she remained unresponsive. Seeing the other creature approach, Jiona stepped out, closed the cellar, and resumed his post outside as the creature entered.
His mind churned with questions. Suddenly, a powerful blow struck him from behind, knocking him unconscious. When he came to, he was locked in the cellar with the girl, his hands and feet bound. Undeterred, Jiona used his mouth to untie his hands, then freed the girl. Finding some water, he splashed it on her face, and she slowly regained consciousness. Seeing Jiona, she was stunned.
**Girl**: “You followed me here too?”
**Jiona**: “Had to. If spirits can chase people, I can chase a spirit.”
**Girl**: “Stop it! Who risks their life knowingly? Why did you come after me?”
**Jiona**: “I didn’t come. Your black magic pulled me here.”
**Girl**: “Your family is waiting for you. They need you.”
**Jiona**: “How do you know about my family? Are you the girl from that night?”
**Girl**: “Yes, I’m the one you met on that dark path. I didn’t want to bring trouble to you or your family, so I left your house without saying anything.”
**Jiona**: “What are you doing in this terrifying Tibi? Who are you? What’s your purpose?”
**Girl**: “Leave this place as soon as you can. Your family is waiting.”
**Jiona**: “I came to take you back, and I won’t leave without you, even if it means death.”
**Girl**: Placing her hand on Jiona’s lips, she cut him off. “Don’t talk about dying, you fool. Your child, your mother—who will they rely on?”
**Jiona**: “I want to know who you are and why you’re here.”
**Girl**: “Why don’t you understand? Go back, think of your family.”
**Jiona**: “Who are these people? What are they doing here? Why are they after you? What are you doing in this Tibi? What’s your name?”
**Girl**: “All I can say now is my name is Huram. I’ll answer all your questions at your home. For God’s sake, Jiona, leave now. Your child, your elderly mother—what will they do without you?”
**Jiona**: “I’m not selfish enough to abandon you in danger. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together. If death is fated, we’ll die together.”
Hearing this, Huram felt a deep sense of belonging. She embraced Jiona
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