"Sing the sweet song of a newborn's tear, as she twists your innocence into fear,
Gaze upon the eyes of an abandoned child, as her Wrath manifests into the wild"
-Isabelle Hale
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The day finally came! It's my Awakening. Today was the day my gifts would finally be released, released from their deep slumber. Awakenings are special for people like me. People that can hide behind shadows, become invisible at night, people called Shades.
I have been waiting for this since I was little, and finally the time has come.
I took off my boots and laid them beside the bucket of Primroses I picked earlier. The morning dew that surrounded the petals reminded me how fresh it was.
The clouds were looking back at me as I stared deep into its fluffy texture; they looked like cotton balls. I felt the grassy fields as my bare feet touched the ground; I stepped closer into the lake and dipped my body.
The waters were at peace today as I felt their calm state. I could just stay here in the meadows, watching the clouds form unusual shapes. Yesterday, I thought I saw a three-horned buffalo up in the sky. Some weird clouds.
I swam back and went home to prepare for the ceremony, it's getting kind of dark now and I can already feel the energy flow into me, it will be happening soon.
Three knocks to the door and it opened, we were very discreet about this since the Burning at Dawn incident. It was a tragic tale.
The Company, a group of professional hunters, came across Linda Cornell’s awakening and witnessed as she transforms into her shadow figure. They mistook the ceremony for a sacrificial rite and got an order to execute them as witches by burning them at dawn. Poor Linda never even had the chance to use her powers to escape or save her family. That is why we are doing the awakening inside our house with our roofs retracted from inside.
Everything was prepared as I entered. I can already feel the energy the moon is giving me as the moonlight hit my skin. Mother greeted me with an unusual smile that could light up a town; from the looks of it I can tell she's proud of me somehow.
“Where is father?” I asked as I put the basket of Primroses down on the table.
“Oh, your father went out in the woods to get some firewood. He should be back soon" my mother said as she took a peek outside from our windows.
I can tell she was nervous; the woods are a dangerous place especially during the night.
After a while, I started to get nervous too. An old pocket watch told me that two hours had already passed. The ceremony was about to begin but we can't start without him.
It was a tradition passed down for so many generations, when an offspring of two Shades reaches the age of eighteen; his or her parents can now awaken his or her hidden powers. My mother was ready but my father was still nowhere to be found.
“I’ll try to look for father in the woods" I said as I took out my hunting gear hanging from a coat rack.
I noticed the blood stains on its handle, must be from the buffalo I caught yesterday.
“Be careful out there my dear Isabelle, I can sense they know it's your time today" my mother said as she spoke with concern.
“Hey! I can take care of myself now you know “I said as I went for the door.
"Who would have thought they already knew?" I said to myself as I put on my hood.
Even though the Company was very well-known for their radar-like senses to find and hunt people, we on the other hand, were also good at hiding. This hood I’m wearing even came from my great grandmother; they say it was blessed by a blue moon, making it a one of a kind hood. It is special; it hides you in the shadows. So basically, I'm invisible during the night, it’s the only advantage I have against them, The Company.
Those guys are a total pain in the ass, I knew they weren't kidding around when they said they'd be back for me three years ago. Like mother, I could sense them too. I don’t know why but I have been having visions lately, must have come from the awakening package.
Emitting a soft sigh, I opened the door and paused in the doorway to embrace the cool wind as it brushed through my hair.
“A full moon." I said to myself as I started to walk towards the woods.
The way to the woods was frightening. Other than the fact that I still had to cross an old creepy-looking hanging bridge, it was dark and foggy and the road seemed gloomy.
I took a turn to the right as I reached the corner of the road from our house. The moment I turned I caught someone following me from the corner of my eye. It’s one of them.
“Took them long enough” I thought as I started to increase my pace.
I can hear him increasing his too. I ran on the opposite direction trying to misguide him away from the bridge as possible. They can’t know my father has gone missing.
An old oak tree became my hiding place as I tried to catch my breath. I became silent and tried to listen to for footsteps. I looked out to find nothing but an empty road. I continued my way to the woods. Made a few turns and finally, I reached the hanging bridge.
But then,
“Father!" I called out as I saw him lying near a tree just before you reach the bridge. I jolted to his side to find him unconscious. I saw no marks on his clothes or any bites. I neared my ear on his chest, at first I didn't hear a heartbeat but then suddenly his heart was beating fast! I felt odd. Something strange is happening here.
“Not everything is what it seems." my father said but with a different voice. A familiar voice that reminded me of the burning.
"I'm in deep trouble." I thought as I began to feel the impending danger that lies ahead.
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So here it is guys! The first chapter! I hope I did okay, I didn't really expect people to actually like my idea about Through The Trees.. So I hope you’ll like this! Please vote and tell me your thoughts! Comment below! And may the song of a newborn's tear bless you and your stories! Cheers!
