Under The Oak Tree 272 소설 & 이야기

⇜ ♡♡♡ ⇝ DARVIN. I leaned my body against the tree as I lit my cigarette. My eyes roamed around the forest grounds. Felix, Katya, Nicole, Zahra, and Leandro went inside the pack house to have their own group while the rest settled on the big bonfire inside the forest just south of the pack house. Everyone was seated around a bonfire that the Beta lit up and was enjoying alcoholic drinks except for Sofia and Luna Nadia. My heart clenched at the sight of my sisters.

The oak tree leafed out over four days — Tuesday the buds, Wednesday the first unfurling, Thursday the specific tender green of new leaves fully open, the canopy restored. The ribbons were partially hidden again, as they were every year when the leaves came back, the twenty-two years of them — the new ribbon her mother had tied in November, the ribbon Anya had tied at the solstice, all the accumulated years of marked moments — held by the tree in the private way the tree held things when it was in full operation. She stood under the oak tree on the Thursday morning and looked up through the new leaves at the sky beyond. She’d been doing this for twenty-two years.

But I just shrug it off. “Daddy, what’s that huge tree?” Andre voice draws Carlton’s Attention from me. All eyes trails where he’s pointing at and there’s gigantic tree at a far end of the forest. Even as we are standing up on a wooden bridge it’s still so tall and has its branch sprouting out everywhere. The tree is so magnificent and would really get anyone bedazzled. The oak tree. “That’s the oak tree.” Carlton says and someone squeals beside Andre. Griffin. Then with his eyes widen in amazement he exclaims, “The royal tree of the forest!”

They needed to keep moving, to find ways to get out of the area. Anna guided Luna through the forested area until they reached a tiny clearing. Their movements were muted by a thick layer of fallen leaves beneath their feet. Luna couldn't ignore the feeling that they were being watched, but she knew Anna would keep them safe. A large, gnarled oak stood in the center of the clearing, shimmering in the moonlight. Anna approached the tree and spoke inaudibly beneath her breath. The trunk of the tree suddenly broke open, revealing a hidden corridor.

I’m below a tree, an oak tree. The realization sends a shot of sobering adrenaline through me, and my mind emerges from the haze—it’s not just any oak tree. It’s our oak tree! I’m laying at the tunnel entrance, but how did I get here? Who brought me here? Why am I naked? Why can’t I move?

“Follow me outside.” Blake then guided her to the double glass doors, opened them, and emerged into the backyard. A wooden privacy fence surrounded the area, and a large oak tree was in the corner of the lot. He made his way to the tree, felt up the bark, and released some of his spirit Qi into the tree. The tree was a hundred years old and was of good stature for cultivating under. It actually was a solid base that he was looking for Sylvia’s training. “Sit under the tree and close your eyes.” Said Blake turning to Sylvia with a smile.

My life is pathetic. The teacher started teaching and I tried my best to listen but I just couldn’t my head was pounding. Two more lessons later and it was lunch break. I went back to that oak tree. It seemed no one claimed it so I sat under to clear my head. It was a beautiful old tree that I’m pretty sure has seen many generations pass by. It was also a lonely tree that not many people acknowledged. “Hey, beautiful.” It was Hector. I didn’t see him coming but I could smell his scent before he got close enough.

Maya’s POV: I look at the huge oak tree in front of us and forget how to breathe for a moment. It is taller than the rest. Its trunk is wide and old, with deep lines running along the bark. The branches stretch high, almost touching the moon. Lyra walks closer and places her palm on the tree like she knows it. “This is the oldest tree in this part of the forest,” she says softly. I step beside her. “How do you know?”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN The oak tree was huge and from where Lucas stood, its shape reminded him of a piece of broccoli. The great trunk was thick and gnarled, the leaves spreading like a vast canopy of deep jade. This magnificent symbol of nature sat alone in a green field, an azure, cloudless sky as a backdrop. Lucas ambled up the hill. There was no such thing as urgency in a place such as this. His heart maintained the sense of peace he had carried since . . .

Rowan said, pointing through the trees. Kael rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. "We stay together." Nobody argued. We followed the sound. The forest changed as we walked. The pines gave way to older trees. Their branches spread so wide that the sunlight barely reached the ground. The air smelled of wildflowers. Then... I saw it. An oak tree. Its trunk split into two before reaching the branches. The same tree from my mother's drawing. "The orchard," Elias whispered. No one moved.