Fly Until You See The Light

The Hidden Forest - Chapter 1

It's the first time I've lived a day without Symphony. I feel weird without her, and I don't know how to stop this! I miss her already!

In short, I have no one with me that I consider as a part of my family.

This thing makes me homesick.

Who knows how my parents are doing... Or Isan? Has she already returned to the Village of Dreams? And Otakio, finally? I will miss that little crab a lot, he is so cute... He has been a good friend for years. The two of us literally grew up together. You know, my family helps the lost crabs to go back home, and Otakio is one of them and he decided to stay with us...

How will I live without them?

-----

Just suddenly, Sentinekka feels lost. A sea of ​​doubts and thoughts invade her little head. Will she ever see her family again? How soon, if she will? And her cousin? And above all, what will change?

Sentinekka hates changes sometimes. What if they could be negative? Maybe they won't...

«Sen'? You there?». Ojtaro's confused voice brings her back to reality.

She shakes her head violently to recover from the traps of her mind and answers him:«Of course, don't worry!».

The friend stares at her and raises an eyebrow to indicate his unbelief.

He sits next to her on a dark wooden log in front of a lit bonfire that gives off red sparks and replies:«Listen, you don't have to hide anything. If you miss home, it's completely normal».

«No no, do not worry! I'm not feeling bad, it's just your impression!» the girl continues, amused. She shouldn't lie, but she knows it's best to. They must start their journey to the Forest, that's all.

«Got it, you don't want to tell me what's wrong» he interrupts her and crosses his arms. «Are you sure you don't wanna talk 'bout it?».

His friend smiles softened, answers:«Maybe I'll tell you when we'll move and explore the next realm!».

«I'm happy you understood that you need to talk about how you feel».

«Well, look who's talking!».

The boy would like to comment about this sarcastic sentence, but three figures block him and attract his attention.

They are three Children of their age. One girl and two boys that seem to be veterans like him.

The first one has long hair, held back in a kind of bizarre and ancient-looking hairstyle, she has a sheer red fur cloak and is wearing a dress that Sentinekka has seen before. That dress is the same as the one her mother had a few years ago. Where did that girl get it? Maybe her mother's dress is just similar, because this one looks clearer and brand new.

The second one doesn't even wear a mask; his hair is neatly trimmed and short, with a small unkempt tuft flowing down his forehead; he has a blue shirt with a raised collar, a blue belt made with a woolen scarf, blue trousers and boots. His cloak is pale blue, long, and gives the young man a refined air.

And the last one is quite short, with tousled hair kept at bay by as blue as the sea corals; he has a blue and white tunic that becomes gradually darker as it takes place on his knees, covered by tan trousers with yellow and blue details.

«Sorry for the interruption» the girl begins, embarrassed. «But we need a hand that knows how to sew».

«Huh? Why? What happened?» Sentinekka asks them, curious.

«Uhm... Long story...» the short boy answers, while the taller boy explains, pointing at the girl:«Her cloak is broken and she can no longer fly».

-----

He still can't believe it. He's wasting so much time!

And why is he doind that? Because a such irrensponsible girl broke her damned cape! Ugh!

Ojtaro skilfully uses the iron needle kindly donated by the new girl to help her, while Sentinekka gives him a hand with great pleasure.

«How did you break the cape, Mudil?» she asks to the girl, who has just revealed her name and her friends's ones.

Cosmo, the older teenager, answers:«"Brilliant" Mudil thought flying with a bandage on her eyes was a good idea and fell into a stupid statue».

And Hacolo, the last one, comments:«Which is of course total idiocy».

«If I had some orientation points or marks, this wouldn't have happened!» Mudil defends herself, angry.

Sentinekka giggles, amused. «As an idea it's quite original... Maybe an empty place would be needed... Like the Daylight Prairie!» she says, thoughtfully. «You know... To not get hurt».

Ojtaro blurts out:«Nah, to me it's just idiocy».

«I wasn't talking to you» Mudil replies.

«Now you are. Want to add more?» the boy asks, finally looking up from his work. She doesn't answer him. She doesn't know what to say.

«As I thought» he concludes. He places the needle on the wood of the trunk and says:«Finished. Do not mention it».

Mudil gets up, reluctantly thanking the boy, but politely towards the other girl, who smiles and nods.

«We hope to see you around!» Hacolo says enthusiastically.

And the distracted Mudil adds:«Especially you, Senny!».

Senny... Is that a new nickname?

Ojtaro doesn't have time to think about it that the Children have already disappeared.