Chapter 3: BURGEON'S FOREST
CHAPTER III: BURGEON'S FOREST
"Never fear shadows; they simply mean there's light shining somewhere"
(Anonymous)
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The pinkish, blue and purple colors formerly scattered in across the endless sky. From that moment, she knew the day was about to end. She check her phone and was about to drop her eyes. It's already 5:56 pm. She woke them up and inform about their last subject of the day, and so they immediately rise up never minding the dried leaves on their hair, nor how messy their clothes are. They pick up their bags and run as fast as they could wishing the instructor to come late. Even if they are fond of vacant periods, being late is not their deed. It's the last thing they could do to somehow hail their selves a good student, they said.
"I need to go now to the training room. Bye!" She said not minding their replies just wishing their mean trainor aren't still there.
After all the running and all the wishful thoughts, her heart right away meet the calmness as they reach their room and saw her training mates having their own worlds. Some of them was talking about the new fashion trends, some of them were fixing their uniforms some of them were busing talking about rumors and the others was sleeping. She settled to her spot and started to be conscious about how messy she were. She remove her messy bun and found her hair turned into a cute big curls, but she tied again her hair in the proper way according to their trainor. A minute later, the trainor suddenly entered and without any introduction, she started discussing Taekwondo, our main coverage.
As she was busy writing at the same time listening to the lectures in front, from the window beside her, a black figure appeared in an opaque disposition. To lessen her confusion, she took a glance below, but much puzzlement painted her face as she saw that there's no one nor anything that is suitable to the figure. She wobbles her head and focus only to their instructor on front but then recurrently, the black figure showed off again this time slowly in her peripheral vision. Not wanting to missed again, she quickly turned around on the second time, hoping to capture the figure but disappointment flash to her as she saw no one.
"Brigette! Are paying attention to what I'm discussing?" The instructor broke the intensity she felt about the figure that made her sit properly.
"Y-yes Sir." She answered as she looked down biting her lips due to embarrassment.
"Stand up." The trainor commanded. "As you confirmed that you are paying attention to my discussions, I'm going to ask you a few questions. If you answered correctly, you will be seated but if not, you are prohibited to take our training today do you understand?"
"Yes sir." She gulped hoping the question aren't too difficult.
"What is the most powerful kick in martial arts?"
"Back kick"
What are the five tenets of Taekwondo?"
"Courtesy, Integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit."
The instructor nodded slowly before looking directly in her eyes.
"Do you believe that souls are the one who gave us strength in martial arts?
Confusion were visible on her face upon hearing the question. But despite how she find the question weird she answered it rationally.
"Uh, no sir."
"Alright, let's go to the training room."
She went to the women's room and wear her uniform. She make everything feels comfortable and gather her strength.
"That trainor is so weird, as usual." Fiona, her co-senior commented.
"Agree. " Vanessa followed and she just shrugged.
"Alexa keep moving!"
"Fiona! How many times I have to tell you, bend your legs!"
"Janna you're not following the directions!"
The instructor keep on shouting until the end of their training. Afraid to be scolded on the second time, she just followed what he want them to do and perform on a proper way.
Stepping out, the surrounding is already dark. She bid her farewell to her them before hopping in car and drove from the central town, up to the Greenhill where she lives. Among all the places in Winterbelle, Greenhill has the least number of population which is in favor with her because lest population for her mean less problems.
"Mom? I'm home!"
"I know. I heard your car!" Replied her mom in the kitchen, and so she went there and kiss her on the cheek.
"So what's for dinner?" She asked excited.
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"You're favorite chicken with pineapple sauce!" Her mom said and kissed her temple.
She couldn't hide the smile on her face. She knew their life is not as rich as the people in town and don't have everything they need, but her mom never fail to give her what she needs and sometimes, what she wants. She assists her mom on preparing their meal and tell her mom how was her first day which she always does. Brige never met her father, nor don't have any idea about her relatives. Her mom somehow, once told her that her father is a brave man, very kind, humorous, loving and of course, good-looking. That she met him in the most unexpected way and separate for the better. She saw how uncomfortable her mom whenever she was asking details about her father or relatives, and so she never brought it out since then. Although she wanted to have relatives to visit too, she can never take away the fact that her mom is the most amazing person in her life. She never felt lacking nor being too sad for not having a father beside her. Her mom is a great multi-tasker and a strong person to provide everything she needed and for letting her grow up learning what is necessary too.
"Mmm, I will always adore your cooking mom. Always. Thank you." she said that makes her mom smile and flattered.
"You're mostly welcome. Anyways lately, I want to uhm, ask you a favor about your upcoming birthday. Her mom said that mades her think maybe they cannot celebrate it whis not a big deal for her.
"Actually mom, last night I was thinking how about, not celebrating my Twenties? I mean, I am old enough for that stuff. I want to do something considering change." Her mom look at her with relieve. Forty two years of age yet her mom still glowing as ever.
"You now really grown up huh? You're no longer the little ocean girl who dream to become a mermaid and meet your beloved prince charming." Her mom said that make her chuckle.
"Oh believe me mom it's still in my dream but not the prince charming thing anymore. I can protect myself now, and you." She stated.
"Oh really?"
"Yes mom."
The night goes very normal. Normal with contentment. Normal yet tiring. And normal but exciting. Those kind conversation she shared with her mom are still the best conversation she ever had in her life. Forever treasured, always secured. After she took a cold shower she went to bed and open her Laptop browsing to a website she randomly used for catching up things, when a sudden news shocked the hell out of her.
"Animal Abuse at Burgeon's Forest due to Illegal hunting? Pros and cons Which are you?" She uttered loudly.
She looked at the door figuring out if her mom already saw the horrifying news. She is sure her mom will volunteer to foster the animals and bring them in their house. She scrolls a bit and saw dead animals while the others are wounded or injured, and it pierces her heart seeing the pain in the eyes of them.
"Whoever did this, they're so heartless." She uttered. She shut down her Laptop, pray, and ready herself to sleep. Eyes half close, a recall of her first day appeared in her mind. She remembered her best friends and the epic moment they shared, she remembered their topic especially those that capture her interest and then, she remembered the man she encountered at the school. She could adore if he could be nicer, she thought. Before her body consumed by the unawareness of the night, and as the wind blows entering her window, she heard a deep voice in her head.
'I'm sorry'.
A knock on a door. A loud knock in a door cause her to be awake.
"Brige! Your class will start at 9 am, get up now!" Her mom shouted from the outside. Of course, she knew, she pin her schedule on the fridge's door.
"I'm getting up stop banging the door mom!"
She looked at the wall clock in front of her. 7:30 am. She rose up from bed, pick up her towel heading to the bathroom and started cleaning herself. Meanwhile, she clothed herself with a blue cotton jogging pants and a white oversize shirt emphasizing the word 'LAZY DAY'. She then looked at herself in the mirror and blow dry her hair turning it into a high bun. She wears her circle earring and her white sneaker to finished her up.
"Good morning mom." She greeted.
"Good morning. Here eat fast." Her mom said.
"Mom, it's just a twenty minutes drive, why do I have to eat fast?" Said complaining.
"Better early than late come on let's eat. My client is waiting for me."
She looked at her breakfast and felt starving as she saw the pancake her mom cooked. Savoring her last bite, she put the dishes on the sink and way herself out to again, start a what-she-called, a day. After twenty minutes of driving of course with LANY's songs on her radio, she reached school feeling relax and alive unlike yesterday.
The school now is more convenient to walk. There no more crowded people, only few that is walking with their friends, professors and uhm, lovers.
"Good morning" She greeted Laide as she saw her heading inside.
"Good morning. Have you seen the new trends about the animals in Burgeon? That's so horrible. Those animals have nothing to do with them, and they are killing them." Laide said causing her to drop the chill vibes.
"Yeah, I just hope those behind the torture realized what they've done. Really, it's very inconvenient, unhealthy and disturbing." She said.
They walk inside their room and found that the majority of them hasn't arrived yet and that includes Tomas and Ericson. She placed her bag below in her chair compartment and referred herself to just take a quick nap. However, her said to be 'quick nap' turned into a deep sleep where consciousness is not visible not until someone wakes her up.
'Wake up, your instructor was about to come'.
She fourthly open her eyes and saw everyone seated as the sun is in insurgence stage. Eyeing her friends, she gazed at them perceiving who woke her up.
"Thank you for waking me up. That was close." She said with a crack voice as she settled herself properly.
"Uh, we don't wake you up Brige, we really thought you need a sleep." Tomas said.
"Oh,uhm, Maybe just a dream." She convinced. She rested her back and breathe meditating about the utterance she just heard.
A dream?
But why it felt so real?