Chapter Three: Contrast

I knew I had no choice but to go back to the forest. I know it wasn't a dream. I remember it vividly. I walked through the forest last night and someone- something carried me all the way here.

Suddenly it hit me. The crayon. The broken crayon. I was carrying it all the way to the forest last night. I searched for it in the depth of the forest. Somehow, it felt eerie as I step even further.

It brought back some of my childhood memories where father and I used to hunt deers and rabbits back then and selling it back at the town to earn some money.

But soon, I felt a sharp sting straight to my heart remembering that this forest is what got father killed in the first place. I tried to ignore these thoughts as I continued to search for the broken crayon but hours passed and I still haven't got any clue where I could've dropped it.

Was it just a dream then?

It can't be. 

I knew for sure it was Arthur. But... I don't even remember what he looks like. I must be going crazy jumping to conclusions all of a sudden. Suddenly, I heard gunshots from the far side of the forest. I don't know why but I felt obliged to immediately go after it.

As I arrive, I saw two older man in their middle ages shooting rifles at a distant, they were celebrating saying, "Did you see that? I shot something!"

"I didn't saw. You're just drunk old geezer." The other one was arguing. They were both reeking of the smell of the alcohol.

After a while, they noticed me, they remarks, "Hey kid, what're you doing out here?"

"I'm just... looking for something."

"Well, you should leave now. It's dangerous to lurk around the forest especially when it's dark." They said, "Haven't you heard the news?"

"News? No, I haven't been watching lately."

"Old geezer, I definitely shot one!" The other old man remarks as he walks toward the trees looking for his prey. He took a sniff at the oozing red blood splutter at the tree and even tasted it. He said, "It's definitely a hit."

"That's good. Okay, let's follow the trail." They said carrying their guns and drinks and just before they leave completely, they reminded, "Hey kid, go home. We know the forest well enough. You might get lost following us."

So I did. I went back home empty handed as I prepared all my things for tomorrow. I'll be going back to school starting tomorrow. Considering I missed 5 months of classes, I'll probably retake this year.

I spent the rest of the day reading a couple of novels I found on my bed side to try and take my mind off of things. Just as I close my eyes, I waited for the fluttering sound but there was none that night.

The next day arrived quite earlier than my body had anticipated. I grabbed my bag after taking a shower and changing into my uniform. As I was putting on clothes, I saw some burn marks and deep scars at my back.

I was confused so I trace my hands onto my scars and just as I did, I suddenly remember how those scars felt. It was so hot and painful that I ended up losing balance surprisingly myself with that memory.

Fire. Fire and chaos. It was blurry but it was definitely a huge fire that burned me. My head aches and it only added to my confusion.

I... don't understand.

Eventually I just ended up going to school. A lot of random people who seems strangers to me were surprised to finally see me attending school. It felt very uncomfortable so I wore a black baseball cap trying to hide my face.

But just as I sat down at my seat inside the classroom, I got a glimpse of that purple hair at the corner of my eyes from outside.

There I saw her. I know her. I do... right?

Those aqua blue eyes looking straight into my hazel eyes. She walks past my classroom and shifts her gaze.

I waited eagerly until the classes were over and I immediately went room to room to search for her. My classmates were all asking about how was I and everything but I was rushing to get to her so I dismissed them all.

From a distance, I saw her so I instinctively followed her and just as I was about to call her out. Someone else called her, "Isabelle. What are you doing here? Playing human again, aren't you? Haven't you heard the new? It's dangerous for our kind to be out here mingling with mortals."

...Isabelle... Why does her name sounds so familiar. But what are they talking about? Humans? Their... kind? I'm lost...

The girl with the violet hair, Isabelle protested, "I know. Leave me alone, Alice. Go back home."

"Are you still punishing Arthur? You should stop now. You know you're powerless against him. Going after his girl will only get you killed."

"Shut up-" Isabelle was cut off as she saw me peeking through the corridors so she left. But just before she does, I grabbed her shoulder and she grimaced from the pain. I noticed that there's blood on her shoulder. I remarked, "You're bleeding."

Isabelle simply glared at me and walks past me.

I asked my classmates about Isabelle or Arthur but none of them seemed to know who they were. It's weird... don't they go here? I saw Isabelle wearing the same uniform.

I saw JD walking through the canteen so I asked him, "JD... Isabelle, who is she?"

"Why? Did she approach you or anything like that?" JD seemed anxious making it even more suspicious

I said, "So you know her."

"I do. So what?"

"None of the other kids do."

JD sighs and continued, "Look, Ly. Stop looking for Arthur and stop concerning yourself with things the other kids don't see."

"The other kids don't see? What do you mean?"

He simply left with the rest of our teammates patting my head gently like always. Like a pack all watching over me. What the hell is going on? I have no idea. I followed Isabelle subtly as she makes her way to the forest.

She went towards what seems to be another school? Or an old building inside the forest. I don't think I ever saw this school here but somehow it felt oddly familiar.

Isabelle stops and said, "You seem lost. A human shouldn't be able to see me or this. So what are you?"

I tried to step back and escape as I suddenly felt shiver down my spine at the way her voice suddenly changed into a deep and scary tone. But just as I turn around, Isabelle was already there in front of me with her aqua eyes that seems to be shining brightly. She said, "Oh, if it isn't Lyanna. What are you doing here, huh?"

"I don't know... you know me? The other kids doesn't seem to know you- what's this place? Who are you?" 

"Oh, poor little Lyanna, don't you mean what am I? Did Arthur grew tired of you and abandoned you all clueless? You have your memories all shuffled? Then should I kill you and make it better?"

I don't know why but that threat seemed so real. As a hunter, you can easily identify if a wild boar is trying to kill you. It's in their eyes and right now, I can see Isabelle's eyes glistening with intent to kill me.

She's looking at me with such murderous intent that it made me tremble from fear but I couldn't say anything.