Chronicles of the Serpent (ON HOLD)

Chronicles of the Serpent

Long awake, staring at the ceiling while lying in his bed with his hands under his head, young Chris Gabriel ponders what will happen today. The windows closed and the door shut, only bits of light pierce through from the cracks and creases. The room was silent yet sounds of a busy day already echoes from outside. It is already late morning. Finally, he lets out a loud sigh and gets up. Without a word, he prepares himself and gets dressed in his long-sleeved black uniform which he rolls up the sleeve until it reaches his elbow. He washed his face and fixed his black hair reaching his shoulders. He looked at his reflection in the mirror for a few seconds. There, a handsome young man stared back at him. Finally done, he opens the door and steps outside and closes it behind him. Without hesitation, he begins to run. He doesn't want to be late- today is graduation day, after all.

Through the busy streets, the rooftops of homes and empty alleyways, the boy presses on. Roxfort is his home town. The houses made of bricks and the streets colored white, it has this appeal of simplicity. A beautiful canal runs through it and is one of its great attractions.  And even after running through the small town of Roxfort for a while, he shows no sign of slowing down. Until...

"You really can't start a day without making a scene, can you?" shouts a young woman. The voice is familiar to him. He knows it well and now searching from where it came from.

"Over here!" a young woman with long brown hair and brown eyes shouts once more giving her location away to the boy. The crowd in the middle of the city at this time is quite dense.

Chris made his way towards her and says. "Good morning to you too, Melissa."  In a sarcastically suave way.

"Where's the fire? You running through the streets with reckless abandon are no normal sight to behold." she asks him.

"Well, as you may not know, today is the graduation ceremony and for once, I have no intention of being late. Finally after all those years, freedom!" he excitedly says.

"You never were a prisoner, Chris." Melissa laughs. "Besides, the ceremony won't start in a couple of hours. Walk with me there. We have plenty of time, right?"

"I have nothing better to do so why not?" says Chris acting like he is being forced to do it yet smiles at the girl after.

They walked and talked around town. They saw familiar faces and greeted old friends along the way. They pulled out every memory that came to mind and laughed at past mistakes. How they met and grew up together despite Chris being an orphan taken care at an orphanage and Melissa being an upper-class citizen of Roxfort with money to burn. How they became unlikely friends when Melissa was being bullied by some kids and was unintentionally rescued by Chris because he was looking for a fight. Both bad and good memories filled their conversations because this was the time to do it. They don't speak of it, but they know this might be the last time they reminisce together. When Chris graduates, she may never see him again. No one wants to ruin each other's day so they steered clear of the topic. Finally, they have arrived at the academy and a few moments left before the ceremony. Her mind is filled with so many things to say and many more will be left unsaid. Only a question escapes her lips as the boy is about to enter the metal gates.

"Will I ever see you again?" asks Melissa. Her eyes show concern and doubt. Sadness grips her voice.

"Doubt it. But if you start to miss me, don't hesitate to tease yourself while I'm away." he smiles at him and proceeded to enter the huge gates. He doesn't tell her goodbye since parting with her isn't something he considers a good thing.

"No, please- wait!" she cries out and runs to grab his hand. He doesn't turn back. "Tell me you'll be back. Lie to me if you have to. Just tell me you'll be back!" tears started to run down her cheeks.