One Piece (SSW Backstory)

Chapter 27

Saphira's POV

Five years later.

I couldn't remember what it was that made me realize that something was wrong.

Was it the fake smiles?

The empty promises?

The sinnister gleam in their eyes?

I couldn't remember. But, what I did remember, it was in one of our lessons with our favourite personal educator. We have five educaters hand picked by the Lady and Lord of the house. Math, Science, Social studies, and Language arts. They said that we didn't have to put alot of effort into our studies and if we felt like skipping classes, that we are allowed to do so without consequences.

I found it strange at first, how they didn't care what we did as long as we followed the rules. In our first meeting, they spoke of how making sure everyone had a future was their top priority, yet they leave us to figure things out for ourselves. They think if they pay personal tutors and tell us to do with that as we see fit, would hide the fact that they lied about everything they've told us.

They promised us they would help us. They said we will have a future. That we won't have to suffer anymore. But, why is it that they keep us at a distance? Why is it that they didn't care what we did, but the second someone broke the rules, they suddenly started caring again?

The rules are simple to follow. Don't be out after dark. Don't leave the premises without an escort, for 'safety reasons'. Don't skip meals, and lastly don't go to the lower levels of the manor. I didn't think much of it. The rules were easy to follow without a complaint, but as time went by, I couldn't help but question them.

It was late in the evening and our favorite tutor, Ms.Sen, was helping us learn our chosen second language. In the beginning, she asked us if we wanted to learn a second language, and our answers were an immediate yes. Unfortunately, we all had different languages we desired to learn, but this didn't stop Ms.Sen. She gave each one of us her attention, giving each of us a chance to learn our desired language. That's why she was our favorite. She didn't let the pressure bring her down. Also, she was kind and gentle while doing it.

It was that day I started questioning things. We were all taking a break when Ms.Sen asked us a strange question. "This will be your homework for tomorrow. You can work with a partner or on your own, it's your choice. But, write this down so you know what to do." I took out my homework book and prepared to write down with my fountain pen. "Pick a monster. It can be any monster, from stories or real ones we have today, for example: Sea Kings." She leaned against her desk as she gave us a strange look. "And, I want you to write down a fifty to a hundred word essay on why do you think it's a monster."

The classroom was quiet. There was only a few of the orphaned kids here, seven in total out of thirthy. My siblings, Charlie and I was of them. Winifred shot up her arm in the air. Ms.Sen smiled fondly at her, "Yes, little Wini?" Winifred returned the smile before asking her question, "Why are we writing this essay?" Ms.Sen took a deep breath in and out as she pushed off her desk to walk between us. "I want to see, learn and understand you all. I want to know what you fear and what makes you fear it." She paused at my table, her expression unreadable.

"Why did you choose this monster to write about? Why are you scared of it? Why is it that you think it's a monster?" She stared me right in the eyes, never breaking contact as she asked these questions. It made me uncomfortable. 'Was she trying to hint at something?'

That night, when everyone retired to their rooms, they were either doing their homeworks or messing around before bed time. Not that there is an assigned bed time, we can do whatever we want, after all. I was sitting on my bed, my homework book open on my lap and my fountain pen taping on the page as I kept staring at the topic I wrote at the top of the page. 'My monster.' I furrowed my brows as I struggle to think of anything.