Chapter 33 : First Shift

Today was testing day. Sam and I were tested in separate places at the same time so we couldn't see each other's tests. Before going our separate ways, Sam and I encouraged each other.

Rather than my test results, I was more worried about Sam's test results. Maybe it was because I was the one teaching her that I subconsciously felt responsible for Sam's success.

Luckily, the test was still the same as the previous simultaneous test, so I had memorized exactly what I needed to do and where I needed to look good. I passed in one try and some of the examiners smiled with satisfaction while nodding their heads, while Mr. Wymond looked indifferent.

After passing I hurried to Sam's testing ground which was not far from the riding arena. I only had to pass through the stables. When I got there, Sam was walking out of the arena. It seemed that he had just finished his testing as well.

"How was it? Did you pass?", I asked excitedly.

Unlike me who looked so cheerful, Sam looked lethargic. He smiled wryly at me, "How about you?"

Unable to hide my excitement, I raised both my hands high, "I did it!", I exclaimed, grasping Sam's hand tightly then inviting him to jump up and down.

"I knew it! I'm a great teacher!", Sam replied.

After doing a few laps, I stopped, "How about you? You made it too, right? There's no way you failed, you're such a good student."

The joy on Sam's face faded instantly, replaced with a sad look in her eyes and the corners of her lips curled downward. I understood what that expression meant, but it felt impossible. It was impossible for Sam to fail.

"I did it too." , he said in a sad tone of voice.

My forehead scrunched up in confusion at the incongruity between what Sam said and the look on his face.

"Wh-what?"

"I did it. I did it, Anne, I did it!", Sam shouted excitedly.

My face puffed up with excitement. Oh shit, why was this more exciting than my own success?

I rushed over to hug Sam tightly and we jumped up and down with excitement. I finally got to experience being The Vigilante Union for real. I wasn't just going to be like the chick that always stayed in the cage. I would go out, face those monsters, and come back puffing my chest in victory. Just imagining it made my chest boil with excitement.

It had been a quarter of an hour since I sat pensively in his room staring at the patrol schedule information paper. My eyes kept moving reading the name on the last row of the morning shift schedule hundreds of times. My eyes refused to blink, afraid that this was just a dream and if I blinked then my name would disappear or be replaced with someone else's name.

"That paper won't go up in flames no matter how long you glare at it." , Gerard's comment who just came out of the bathroom.

I didn't react until the hot steam that came out of the bathroom at the same time as Gerard. I immediately turned around with my eyes still wide, managing to make Gerard shudder in horror.

"How long have you been glaring at that paper? You didn't forget to blink, did you? Your eyes almost fell out of place!"

My gaze shifted to Gerard and he blinked his eyes for quite a while, "Oh! You're right. I think my eyes were just about to jump out. By the way, did you read the schedule?" I thrust the paper in my hand high to Gerard.

The man with a towel wrapped around his waist passed by me and my paper unceremoniously. Water droplets from the ends of his hair wet the paper, forming a trail of irregular circles.

"Of course I did. That's why I took an early shower." Gerard replied behind the closet door.

"Huh?", I took another look at the paper in my hand and realized there was Gerard's name at the top, eight names away from mine, "You got the night shift? I got the morning shift!"

"You must be glad you don't have to go to morning ceremonies and practices." , Gerard commented with a smirk.

"Isn't that what all the troops look forward to? Haha."

***

It was already midnight and I still couldn't close my eyes. The fire of passion burning inside me kept me awake, looking forward to the changing of the guard shift. My heartbeat quickened as I imagined myself walking out of the gate on the Wilder with The Vigilante Union's proud robes wrapped around my body, in the formation line with the other soldiers. I unconsciously puffed out my chest as the movie in my mind switched scenes to when I was returning back to base in the morning. A lot of people were watching and the kids were mesmerized by me, and maybe I'd be an inspiration for their dreams.

Damn, just imagining it was thrilling.

My daydream is interrupted by a knock on the door, signaling that it's time to change shifts. I quickly jumped out from under the covers and grabbed the robe that was given to me yesterday. I ran to the mirror on Gerard's closet door and looked at my reflection in the robe. Very dashing. Oh no, that's too 'manly', maybe I should call it 'cool'.

Yes, that's right. I'm very cool.

The troops on duty had lined up in a formation like a big A at the gate, ready on their horses. I was in the center on the left. The twelve of us waited for the command of the group leader in the front row who was giving an on-duty report. Nervousness began to creep into my legs and Wilder, who could sense it, responded with a slight whimper.

"Yes, Wilder. That's right. I'm a bit nervous today. I hope it doesn't bother you." I whispered to Wilder.

A loud creaking sound could be heard as the gate that was more than three meters high was opened. It was two o'clock in the morning, so obviously there would be no dramatic scene where dazzling bright light would greet us when the gate opened. It was the same inside the gate, dark. Only the street lamps had run out of oil and some had even forgotten to be refilled.

Our horses were directed to walk leisurely, straight ahead, while our eyes scanned the surroundings, watching out for a pair of shining eyes hiding behind a dark corner of the house or something out of the ordinary. From the gate, we took the road to the right, where it led into the forest. But it was not the forest that was our destination, but a residential area on the side of the forest.

The road we were on was smooth and rock-free, and there were two long lines along the road from the tracks of wooden wheels that often crossed this road during the day. The lack of lighting on the road suggests that there is no activity on this road at night, especially since the road is adjacent to the edge of the forest.

From the gate, we found nothing along our journey to the guard post. Not even a single animal. It was very quiet until finally a glimmer of light that showed the warmth of life appeared at the end of the road. It was our guard post, just around the corner.

Our group leader appeared to be having a brief conversation at the front with the previous shift group leader, then both saluted each other and walked away. What caught my attention next was the sound of howling coming from the forest on our side. I reflexively turned my head even though a trooper behind me had already reminded me that it was just an ordinary coyote.

"Werewolf howls aren't that weak."

"Gerard?"

I knew that I would meet Gerard at this shift change, but I was still surprised that he spoke to me first.

"You've got a lot of guts not wearing a scarf in this cold." , he said.

I gripped Wilder's reins tightly, preventing the cold air from touching my palms, "Don't you know I used to live in the forest? This kind of cold is nothing to me." , I retorted.

I could see a small grin on Gerard's face thanks to the little light from the oil lamp in the guardhouse. Then he raised the scarf wrapped around his neck until his mouth was covered.

"All right, forest girl whose pale lips are almost frozen. Take care and keep an eye on your surroundings," he said as he wrapped his hand around the horse's reins and pulled slightly to direct the horse to move until the distance between us had narrowed and he whispered in my ear, "We never know when they'll show up."

I could feel my pupils dilate and my hair stand up. Could it be Gerard's words or the cold? I chose the second option.