SAIRO

vii. possession

Chapter 7 : Possession

I blow my nose into the tissue as I fold and pocket it when I'm done. I watched the swans calmly swim in the lake as I sat on the bench under the tree. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in, as the rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene. The clamors of the people were faint as I sniffed the fresh air. I massaged my temple causing my finger to wrap around the thorn that was buried in me. A hot liquid was about to drip into my nostrils as I immediately inhaled it, while my eyelids seemed get heavy.

I woke up late with my rough throat and remembered that a camp was going to take place in a field. That's the school's plan. I haven't caught up with Diana because she has to get on the school early. Good thing, I drank a lot of water reason my throat didn't hurt anymore. But that was replaced by a cold.

I was in a vast field, filled with celebration of side trees and green lawn. Until now I haven't seen Diana. I was alone isolated in our section watching the lake, far away from their direction. I hope to see Celeste here in the area as well. She said that yesterday, there will also be a camp for them, in the same place we went to today.

Where can I find her?

I released a heavy sigh. What a nightmare. What has been going on in my life lately? Witnessing someone committed suicide, insinuations of ghosts, and suspicions. Is there anything else? I don't think I can handle it anymore. I felt like I'm going to have a fever.

After what happened yesterday, I want to laugh to tears. I just ran and pulled Diana out of campus. After that, I cried and told her what I had seen. And I think half of her believed me. I lost my rosary at school reason for me to sense a ghost at school.

"Viola!" someone popped up as it dropped its hands on my shoulders causing my heart almost fell as I almost curse. When I turned to look at her, at the same time Celeste put her chin on my shoulder as she burst out laughing. "S-sorry, sorry!"

"S-shuta ka," I cursed under my breath while she continuesly laugh as she sat beside me. Her smile faded from her lips when our eyes met. She was wearing a ponytail and a plain white shirt paired with red shorts.

"What's with your voice? You look pale. Are you okay?" she frowned, giving me a worried look.

"Y-yeah." I answered shortly as I sniffed on the air when a hot liquid was about to drip again on my nose.

"Seems like you're on cold. Have you take your medicine?" she asked as I gave her a shook. "You shouldn't have come to camp if you're not feeling well,"

"I got this. It's not that serious,"

"Yeah it's not, but if you need medicine, just ask me, okay?"

"T-thanks,"

We both fall silent as I turn my gaze back to the swans. I pulled out another tissue and blew my nose as she broke the silence. "Where's Diana?"

"She's with the supreme student governments. They're organizing something at the campsite,"

"I see. What a sedulous," she said as she pulled out of her pocket a square wrapped in paper. She removed it from the wrapping as she picked up a slice of sandwich that was triangular while leaving half of it on the paper. She took a wisp on the slice as she glanced a few steps away from the lake. There was a swan closest to the end of the lake that wagged its tail. "My mom made it, have some," she offers as she plays with her tongue, producing sounds that burst in her palate to the swan. "Come here, I have something for you,"

"Come on, it's not a dog,"

"Yeah, I know. What should I do? Bark?" she asked sarcastically as her arm was already stretched but the swan just turned its back on her. She threw the piece of bread as it hit the swan's head at the same time its companions spread their wings and attacked him causing me to flinch. Celeste cursed beside me, hugging me as my heart almost fell. "T-the fuck?"