Woodbridge Recollection : The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter 16: The Worst Secret.

  Being put on perimeter guard always put me on edge. As I said since the beginning, I hated it with a passion since the very first time I had to do it. However, Kingdom patrol was another story, one that I preferred more over perimeter control because it posed me inside the kingdom with someone else.

Today, the first years were put on kingdom patrol. The point of it was to make sure there were no illegal activities going on around the village, patrolling on foot in pairs of two.

When I arrived at the academy this morning to hear of the patrolling, I was paired up with another first year girl named Lilian.

Lilian was a tall and thin blond girl with a lot of acne scars. She was pale in comparison to most, and had a gentle voice. She seemed okay to be paired together. I didn't mind being paired with her, either. She seemed okay, not annoying or anything, and serious about her job.

After receiving our duties, we left the academy to take post in the village, going on foot.

Lilian and I spoke a little bit while patrolling. She seemed to be concerned about all things magical. The creatures fascinated her, especially those that were walking amongst us. When werewolves came into the mix, I find it to be a topic I could speak about to some degree.

"Did you know that Captain Eustace is a werewolf?" I asked her.

She smiled and then nodded her head.

"Oh yes," she replied. "I like him, he's got a temper but he's funny."

Just when I thought she was okay, she had to go and say that. Lilian seemed to notice the change in me quickly.

"I won't talk about him much," she assured me. "I know you don't get on with him."

"Thanks," I said.

"I don't judge other's opinions much," she said.

My phone began to ring from inside my jean pocket.

I changed my bow from my left hand to my right and then fished out the phone. I held it up to my face and the number flashed at me.

"Damn," I said. I probably couldn't keep this up forever. My boss had left several missed calls and messages and none of them looked promising.

I sighed and answered the phone when it occurred to me that people might be going mad looking for me back in Pretoria.

"Jerry?" I said.

"Zelena! What the hell is going on with you? You've literally just disappeared off the radar and out of work! I've been worried sick! Where the hell are you?"

"It's a long story," I said.

"You better start explaining it!" he shouted. "You just disappeared from work and the only contact I get from you is a resignation letter? What is happening with you? Are you mad?"

A resignation letter? Ah, that must have been the work of the council. Well, I applaud them for taking action for me. I guess it was probably for the best if the council thought I should leave that world behind, too. In any case, I was starting to feel like I didn't want to go back. It seemed irrelevant to my life, now.

"Zelena!"

I breathed in deeply and said, "I'm traveling."

"You're traveling?" he said, sounding sarcastic.

"Look, I know its sudden," I said. "But it is critical. I found my birth parents and I want to meet them."

"Okay, your excuse is valid, but you know the rules, Zelena! Resignations have to be put into question one month in advance! You won't receive your salary for the month's work, otherwise!"