VIII. Dark Gathering

     Ms. Reina led us to the garden behind the school. It must have been her favorite spot because I always see her  sit here from the classroom window. We all followed her like ducklings following a mother duck; however, Ms. Reina was more like a swan: majestic and exuding with grace. We kept on walking in silence following Ms. Reina's every step. I looked behind me and I noticed that we walked a great distance from the school. We kept on walking farther away from the campus until we found ourselves in a grove full of Narra trees covered with bright yellow blossoms that complemented the sunset. The air smelled fragrantly sweet and felt refreshingly cool.

     Ms. Reina finally stopped walking. Thank goodness because I can hear Lowan catching his breath almost gasping for air. We arrived by a brook glistening with clear water and reflections of the sunset’s fading golden rays. It was finally dusk. I don't know what the goal i