NB: The title is in french - but of course the story is in english - or at least for most part  ;) 

SinB P.O.V.

« SinB look up there! » - Yerin pointed with her free hand. I looked up and caught sight of a magnificent architecture.

The temple was near. The discovery of a lifetime. It was another dream coming true. The first one was when Yerin said yes and became my fiancee a month ago. We promised to marry once back from our trip to the Jungle. I have heard from my research that an old civilization may have lived in the middle of it. That was  more than a job: that was my passion. And I feel more than grateful and lucky to get to know my future wife thanks to it. In fact, I met Yerin during my last expedition in Himalaya. She helped me discover one of the temple I was looking for back then. Yet, nothing could ever compare with that imminent discovery. Finding that temple hidden in the Mountain itself in the middle of a jungle was not a piece of cake. However, everything was suddenly so easy with Yerin around. 

I felt her hand on my back.

« You’re daydreaming again, Love. We have been climbing that huge mountain for a while but we’re almost there. » - I looked down toward her on my left. Her words sounded almost unheard. I loved her soft voice - it soothed me. She always appeared so calm while I was just the contrary. She was the perfect balance - the missing piece. 

She smiled at me but I couldn’t unsee the hidden worries reflecting by her brown eyes. 

« I love you. » - I retorted back before adding: « Are you sure you don’t want to take the lead? You’re the climbing expert after all. » 

« No I prefer to keep an eye on you. Plus, you don’t look bad from below. » - She smirked and I just wanted to hit her for her dirty thoughts. However, I wouldn’t risk any wrong movement for the moment. 

« Well you already have my heart. Don’t you dare ask for anything else. » - I back.

« You’re right: I already promised that I was keeping your heart and that I would cherish it forever. I will protect it from any threats. » - She melted me but her tone was serious. She meant it and I couldn’t help but fall deeper in love with her. She was always so gentle - she made me realize how cold were my winters before she entered my life. She was that warm that I never knew my heart needed. And now she was covering it with her tender love. 

« Now if you want my heart, listen carefully to me » - She winked at me despite her serious tone. 

I listened to every advice Yerin gave me concerning where to put my hands and feet - which rock to grab or to avoid. It was not the first time, I wouldn’t have survived Himalaya without her. 

We were almost at the top as I could perceive the shiny gold pillars. Suddenly the wind increased in power. I struggled to catch the last rock but hopefully Yerin was right below me and grabbed my trousers to prevent me from falling back down.  She pushed me up with her free hand. 

« Wow … Yerin look at that … » - I was speechless: the entry was magnificent. I don’t think Yerin heard me because of that strong-as-hell wind. So I turned around and waited for her to join me. Yet, she never did. 

It triggered off the worst of me: panic and fear. I was screaming her name as I looked down. Yet, all I could see was that rope we have been using during our way up. The cloudy atmosphere made it hard to see anything and soon the tears falling down my face.

« If this is a joke that’s just not funny. » - I was becoming crazy. Yerin wasn’t the kind to play games in such circumstances. Yet, I was still considering it as a hypothesis. 

There was a waterfall near. I didn’t even think about it twice - if that was the fastest way to go down - I jumped.  That was really risky but this was nothing compare to my terrible thoughts about what could have happened to Yerin.

That was painful - really painful. My body was screaming but that was nothing comparing to what my heart was undergoing.  Yerin was my heart. 

I  managed to get myself out of the water with the mere thought of hope. Hope that I could still save her. Hope that I could at least find her. I screened every centimeter at the foot of the mountain. 

However ... that day ...  I lost my heart for good. 

« SinB » 

« SinB! » 

« Hwang Eunbi!!! » 

I reopened my eyes at that voice screaming right into my ear. Well that was the case since I had an earplug connecting it to my best friend.

« Eunha. »

« SinB I thought something bad happened to you. Do I have to remind you that I can’t see you. So keep talking it eases me. » 

« Sorry I was daydreaming again. »

« That is not the right time. You’re climbing a mountain! »

« Yeah that cursed mountain I lost my heart to. » - I whispered but Eunha managed to catch it.

« What do you mean? You have already been there? »

«  I did … two years ago. »

« How come you never told me? » 

« Eunha there’s many things I have never told you about. » - I said while carefully grabbing the rock above me. 

« Like that strange archeologist job you had. » 

« That was my passion. » - I corrected her then I sighed. I would have never return here if it wasn’t for Eunha. Her "boss" blackmailed her to bring proof of the temple's existence. Eunha being my only friend and the only one left in my life - I had to do it for her. At the beginning she didn’t understand why I would insist on doing her task. That’s why I had to tell her about my former passion. I didn’t ask about that so-called "boss" of her nor how he knew about the temple existence. I didn’t really believe that it was actually Eunha’s boss but well I didn’t care about who was threatening her. The mere thought of Eunha being threatened was enough for me.  The task was rather simple: I only had to take photos of it: outside and inside. I just never expected the flashback of that terrible moment … it hurts how I still remember everything … every detail of the scene. The pain and panic … the waterfall of tears … the careless jump from a real one. The interminable minutes I spent searching for my heart … in vain. 

« SinB! Did you hear me? » 

« Yeah … no sorry … »

« Why are you so lost in your thoughts? Now can I know what you have been hiding from me please? » 

I knew I’d have to tell her at some point. It is just that now wasn’t really the moment. Not when I was about to grab that last rock. That last moment I could feel her. 

« Two years ago, I went there with my fiancee. »

« FIANCEE??!! You never told me you have one!! » - Eunha was almost screaming. 

« That’s because I don’t .. not anymore … I lost her here at that same spot. » -  I revealed as I managed to haul myself on the edge.

I guess Eunha was the one speechless right now because a silence echoed. It was surely shock then I heard her cute voice broke it:

« I am sorry. » - She couldn’t even ask for  details. She didn’t know how to cope with the situation and honestly neither did I. 

Well Eunha may have noticed my change from my return two years ago. Yet, she never called it into question. After that terrible day, everything was like before I met Yerin - except that it was worse … because I gave her my heart. Then, she suddenly left. The last promise I was holding into was for her to always keep my heart close - far away from any pain of life. 

Without a heart I couldn’t breath anymore - she was the air I breath. And without her the winters got so cold. It was a constant melancholy. However Eunha and other people blame it on my cold resting face. They turned a blind eye on the obvious fact that I wasn’t smiling nor laughing as much as before. 

I still had my engagement ring. It was now the pendant of my necklace. I couldn’t live without it around my neck. The ring was touching my former heart spot with each movement.  I promised to her that I’ll transform anything she gives me into the most precious treasure. 

« Eunha, I am on top I’ll take photos of it. » - I switched the subject since awkwardness was kinda heavy.

It was so tragic how I was emotionlessly looking at the magnificent architecture. That was once my dream but the unfathomable truth remained to be acknowledged: the plan was to discover it with Yerin - it didn’t happen and it will never come true. 

The filling of emptiness was keeping me from letting out any tears. Actually, I don’t think my body could produce anymore - ever since that day during which I used all the stock I had.

I took many photos - like a robot.

« Eunha I am going inside. » 

« Alright keep me informed. » - I couldn’t miss her worried tone but I easily disregarded it. Eunha’s reactions were always so exaggerated. 

The entry of the temple was huge. Yet, I easily found the mechanism and soon the doors open up. Any one would have been dumbfounded by the discovery. The temple wasn’t the usual one. It was hiding another world … literally … 

In fact, the sun was clearly visible from the high position I had. From where I stand, I could see a tract of land full of green trees. This looks more like a forest than a jungle. I don’t know what was commanding my feet to walk down the hill. While I could have just taken photos and turn away.

« Eunha? Eunha you won’t believe what I found. » - I revealed. 

« Tell me! » - She said excitedly. 

« A forest »

« What? A forest inside a mountain? That’s not possible!. »

« Well I am taking photos. You’ll see. » 

« No one will believe us even with the picture. That can be anywhere. » 

« No there is something which just screams outta of place. I don’t know if that will be showed in the photo. I guess you have to be here to feel it. » 

I walked in the forest. The sun will soon go down and I guess everything will turn dark. I had to hurry up. 

« How is it possible for the sun to be seen? » 

« Hum now that I think about it … the Mountain must have an open slope. It is not visible from outside because of the altitude. » - I explained.

« Yeah but it should be from a plane and thus that place should be well known. » 

« I have no idea. » - I replied as I put my bag with the camera in it on the floor. 

Suddenly I felt a movement behind me. I didn’t think twice. I started running.

« Eunha … there is something running after me!!!! »

« What?!! What’s that something? »  - I saw an arrow right on the tree beside me - it was so close. 

« I don’t know I …  »  - I stopped talking as soon as I fell in the water. I didn’t know where I was heading nor could I predict that there would be a really small lake on my way. 

The water was cold. It reminded me of that jump I took from the waterfall that terrible day. The fall wasn’t the same at all but the pain was the same. All I could think of was Yerin … I wanted to drown. It is not like I could breath anyway … without my heart …  

I let myself get dragged into the deep as I was looking at the surface with my eyes half closed. The sun was going down too. However there was enough light to see that grey starless sky. For the first time, I saw her face … as if she was looking at me outside of the water. Tears might have fallen from my face if water wasn’t already surrounding me. I couldn’t help but smile … her face was the last image I had before closing my eyes. 

…

The sound of a fire. The sound of a knife. The sound of the night.

I opened up my eyes. The first thing I noticed was that warm cloth on my forehead. I tried to move my arms but I just couldn’t feel them. I could feel my body warm up … I guess it was thanks to the near fire. I analyzed the view in front of me. I could see the dark sky between some wooded material. Wait … it looked like a cage … or rather it was one. 

I lifted up my head a little while leaning on my elbows. I lay on a fur right on the floor. I could hear noises beside me and it suddenly stopped when a voice pronounced a word - I couldn’t decipher. 

I turned my head towards them … a group of people … a tribe. They were all fixing me with wary eyes. I felt like a stranger. I guess they rescued me and put me into a cage since I was not one of them. It kinda makes sense. Yet, all I want to do is leave. 

I can’t even reach out to Eunha with my earplug’s gone - it wouldn’t have survived the water anyway. 

I managed to stand up and their distrusted expression turned into fear.  

« I mean you no harm. Just let me go please. » - I tried r