Enchanted Academy

CHAPTER 1 - The School beyond the Woods

CHAPTER 1 - The School beyond the Woods

M E L O D Y ' s   P O V

"ARE YOU okay?"

Napalingon ako sa babaeng nagmamaneho ng sasakyan. I stopped my fingers from fidgeting and smiled hesitantly.

"Don't worry, malapit na tayo. Maybe just a few kilometers and we're there," she said as she gave me a knowing smile.

Hindi na ako kumibo at sa halip ay tinitigan lang siya. She shifted her attention back to the road. A couple of seconds passed and I did the same.

Trees are towering are path. Isang sementadong daan ang aming tinatahak sa gitna ng isang tila malawak na kagubatan. It was cloudy outside with a hint of drizzle. Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras na kaming bumabiyahe. I just know that this is the longest ride I've ever had. If I'm not mistaken, halos kalahating araw na kaming bumabyahe.

It appeared almost creepy to me dahil ni isang sasakyan ay wala akong nakita kanina pa. No buildings nor small houses. Just trees and the forest's misty feels. Makes me want to question the trust I've put to this lady next to me.

Tama ba na nagtiwala ako sa kanya?

I mentally shook my head. I had no choice. I felt like I had no other choice but to trust her. Kahit ako, nagtataka kung bakit mabilis akong nagtiwala sa kanya. Kung bakit mabilis akong pumayag sa plano niya.

Her name is Eliana Ross. She is my class' adviser. I've known her since last year dahil siya rin ang isa sa mga advisers ng school's singing choir kung saan ako kasapi. We're not that close at sa pagkakaalam ko, hindi pa siya gano'n katagal na nagtuturo sa school namin.

We've met after the incident at school, involving me, broke out. She offered me her help which is something I didn't expect. And like I've said, that moment, pakiramdam ko wala na akong ibang choice kundi tanggapin ang inaalok niyang tulong. Which lead us to this ... this long ride. We're headed to a school where, according to her, I could gather myself back and lead this life to a different and better future.

Honestly, I still doubt her intentions. Bakit naman niya tutulungan ang isang gaya ko? What's in for her in this 'act of kindness'? Or maybe ... maybe she's just someone with a golden heart for the needy? Whatever it is, I have the feeling that my questions will be answered once we get to that school.

Sumilip ako sa labas at pinagmasdan ang langit. Nabawasan na ang makakapal na ulap. I could see streaks of orange and pink. Mukhang malapit nang lumubog ang araw. I just hope we arrive soon.

- - -

"Wake up, Melody."

I felt a slight tap. Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang mga mata ko. Blurry images welcomed my eyesight na unti-unti ring luminaw.