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***
By the time dinner rolled around, I was exhausted and over stimulated from all of the information I had learned. I had found Candi as I walked into the cafeteria and she took me to a table near a large set of windows. I could tell that she wasn’t thrilled to have me join her, but at least she had made an attempt to be kind. Stella joined us and we sat mostly silent, which I was grateful for. A few more students joined us, but none seemed to pay me any attention.
I allowed myself to smile, something that had felt so foreign for so long. The note was folded in my pocket. I had no idea why I had felt the need to keep the note, but I was afraid to just leave it out in the open.
Part of me wanted to show it to Candi, but I was afraid of what her reaction might be. She’s been very open about not wanting to share a room with me. Could this note solidify her annoyance with me? Would I be assigned to a different room? Not wanting to cause any unnecessary drama, I stuff my hand in my pocket and crumble the note further into my pocket, when someone turns up the volume on one of the large televisions mounted in the front of the cafeteria. As people begin to notice the sound, a silence sweeps over the room.
A reporter drones on about unusually cool temperatures for August in Charleston. A woman with platinum blonde hair appears on the screen, a serious look on her perfectly made-up face. Her tone turns serious as she begins reporting on local teenagers who have mysteriously gone missing without a trace. She talks about two runaway teens who haven't been seen in over three weeks and then an image of Shadow Legacy Academy fills the screen.
A wave of gasps echoes throughout the space, and I glance around to gauge the students' reactions. Some are glued to the television while others are angrily talking to those around them. Something about this story is sparking waves of anger and my curiosity is piqued.
My heart begins to race and adrenaline fills me, providing me with enough fuel to listen to the news.
“People in Mount Pleasant have reported hearing sounds of howling late into the night. Some wonder if we have a deadly beast on the loose, or worse, a serial killer.” She pauses for dramatic effect and it works as my eyes can’t seem to look away from her. “Even the local Shadow Legacy Academy has lost one of their very own students.”
A gasp erupts from Candi and my heart breaks for her. She covers her mouth with her hands and tears fill her eyes. People look at her and I can see the pity in their expressions. I hate this for her, having to relive the loss of her friend once again. Someone turns off the television, and for a brief moment, no one dares to speak. A heaviness fills the room and it almost becomes difficult to breathe.
“I need to go do homework,” Candi mutters, as she jumps out of her seat and scrambles out of the cafeteria.
I move to go after her, but then think better of it. Maybe she needs time to just be alone.
“She will be fine,” Stella assures me.
We finish our dinner and while the rest of the kids head to the school's movie theater, I decide to go to my room and look for Candi. Moving out into the hallway, movement across the way catches my eye. I see Candi darting out a set of glass doors and I can tell that she is crying. I follow after her and out to a courtyard surrounded by the walls of the academy. A tall clump of giant trees surrounded by a ring of shrubbery and flowers create a canopy that shields the ground from the sky above. Black iron benches surround a stone water fountain, and I spot Candi sitting on one of the benches. She is hunched over, her head in her hands as her shoulders shake. Slowly, I make my way to her. Just over the horizon, the sun settles in the evening sky, creating a magnificent splatter of oranges, reds, and purples across the sky.
“I don’t want to bother you, but if you need anything, let me know,” I quietly say.
For a moment, Candi doesn’t move and I wonder if she even heard me at all.
“None of this makes any sense,” she whimpers, her voice barely audible.
I move closer to the bench and decide to sit next to her. I’m typically not very good with comforting others; but right now, my heart aches to help Candi. She is clearly upset and I can’t leave her right now.
“I wish I could say something that would make you feel better, but honestly, I still don’t understand what is going on myself,” I tell her.
Candi slowly lifts her head and her eyes are red and puffy from crying.
A light chuckle leaves her, but there is nothing funny about this situation. “There isn’t anything to say. My best friend is missing and everyone around here wants to act like she never existed. I mean, I get it because…” she pauses, and I am frustrated. I want her to finish her thought.
I give her a minute before I finally speak again. “You know, I have secrets, too. Sometimes, it sucks knowing that no one else knows how you feel,” I explain.
I have no idea if my words are comforting her or not, but I feel like she needs someone to be kind and emphasize with her.
Candi looks at me and it appears as though she is trying to study me– to read my mind to see if I am sincere or not. I don’t know what her power is, but I suspect it may have something to do with mind reading.
“I just don’t know how this could have happened. There was no sign of struggle, no blood, and no witnesses. She literally vanished, but I know that’s not the case.” Pausing, Candi huffs and I wait on baited breath for her to continue. “I think she went into the forest,” she says quietly, glancing around to ensure we are still alone.
“Can you tell me about the forest? All I know is that it is forbidden.”
Candi looks around again. Her face is conflicted and for a moment, I fear that she will stop talking and I may never understand the dangers of the cursed forest.
“Look, it isn’t safe for us to really be having this conversation, but I think you mean well,” Candi begins. “I’m sorry if I was mean to you. I miss my friend and your taking over her bed just solidifies the fact that she’s gone and no one thinks she will be back. I’m going to tell you something, but you can’t push me for more answers than I am giving you.”
Nodding, I silently let her know that I will appreciate any information that she provides.
“The Cursed Forest; that’s what we all call it– is a vast, ancient forest filled with creatures of myth and horror, where one wrong step can lead to unspeakable terror. At least, that’s the textbook version we all learn in our History of Magic courses. You will soon learn about it, but what you really need to know is that the forest wasn’t always cursed. Years and years ago, students at the academy would utilize the forest as a safe place. Shifters could run inside the woods without fear of being seen by humans. Fae and Witches could practice magic and not worry about harming others. It was a magical and wonderful place, but then a few students began tampering with black magic, which is forbidden at the academy. The creatures that were once our friends inside of the forest, quickly became our enemies. The thorns of the roses that line the forest tree line possess a deadly magical spell that will draw you into the forest. Once inside, you are trapped. We don’t have the magical spells or skills to end the curse just yet.”
She stops and I realize that I was leaning in as I listened to her.
