DANCE IN THE MOONLIGHT

​'I’m supposed to be a good wife! Ha!' Valeria muttered to herself as she walked angrily in the school's backyard, right where it meets the forest. 'College is so hard, apparently. I’m supposed to reconsider my choices!' She pulled off her hat and gloves in a rage. 'It’s not like I want to get married! I’m going to get into that school!' When she heard a rustle and lifted her head, she realized she had strayed quite far from her path. Since she had been walking while looking at the ground, she hadn't noticed where she was going; however, she was supposed to be on her usual route and have reached her favorite tree by now. Just as she was about to turn back, she heard the rustle again and started walking toward the sound. The more she walked, the deeper she went into the forest. To be honest, she didn't have the courage to go any further. Just as she decided to turn back, a cabin caught her eye. Why was there a cabin in the middle of the forest? It wasn't a very small cabin. But it was definitely perfect and mysterious. Despite being old, it was still in a usable condition. Also, she felt like she was constantly being watched. This feeling creeped her out even more. She looked around. Taking a small pocket knife out of her jacket pocket, she carved the nearest tree to mark her way. She kept doing this all along the path until she got back to school. With every step and every mark she left behind, it felt as if the eyes watching her were drawing closer. She couldn't take it anymore; she stopped carving marks and started to run. She ran through the trees until she saw the school, never once looking back. If her teachers saw her, they would be furious with her for running like this. Young ladies weren't supposed to run... But when had she ever cared? It wasn't 'appropriate' for her to wear pants or climb trees either, yet she did it all. Who could take away the things that made her feel free? As she entered through the school's back door, she stopped and leaned against the stone wall, gasping for air. She had never run this fast before. Once she caught her breath, she looked back toward the forest through the doorway. Those eyes... it felt as if they were still watching her from there. ‘'Hey!' She snapped her head around to see her best friend, Irene. 'Where have you been? Class is about to start!'” "’I got lost!’ she said excitedly. ‘Tell me after class. Let’s get to the classroom before Mr. Black punishes us!’ Valeria nodded quickly and they walked toward the classroom. Vespera Academy had stricter rules than other schools. Actually, in 1954, who was kind to women anyway? Getting into high school was harder for girls than boys. The quota was low because most people thought women would just get married and leave school or work. Because 'a woman’s place was at home,' they still wanted them to be good ladies and good wives. Despite all this, the top three students in the school were women: Valeria, Irene, and Elara. They were best friends, and almost all the men hated them. Because they were successful in everything except being a 'lady,' everyone looked at them and said, 'What a pity.'" After a long and difficult lesson, the three friends met during the break. ‘'What happened? How did you get lost?' Irene asked curiously. ‘'You know how curious I am, right?'’ Valeria said innocently. Irene and Elara shouted at the same time: 'Again? Absolutely not!' Valeria looked at them with pleading eyes. Elara got angry: 'Don’t you remember the house we went to in the city last time? It almost collapsed on us! And seriously, you are terrified!' Yes, Valeria was a very fearful person. But that didn’t stop her from going to the cabin in the forest. She loved going to old and abandoned places. And she loved dragging her friends with her. If she wasn't so afraid, she would do it alone, of course. ‘’the cabin isn’t a ruin. I swear.’’ Irene raised one eyebrow ‘’Then what is it?’’ ’’As always, I went out for some fresh air before class-‘’ ’’You went to look at the babies at the top of the tree!’’ Irene and Elara interrupted her at the same time. ‘’True. But suddenly, I found myself in a diffrenet place. Normally, I was supposed to reached my favorite tree, but I think I got lost.’’ ‘’And?’’ Irene asked. ‘Then, just as I was about to turn back, I heard a sound, a rustle. Then I found myself walking toward that sound again.’’ "You can't be serious!" Elara laughed. "Did you walk toward the sound?" Valeria gave her friend a sharp look. "Yes, I did. But I was terrified. I felt like someone was constantly watching me. And just as I was about to give up and leave, I saw a cabin. Deep in the forest. We definitely have to check it out. It was literally screaming 'discover me!'’ Elara and Irene looked at each other. Valeria was looking at them with puppy dog eyes. ’’Please!! I not found this place it by chance, right? I was dragged there!’’ Elara crossed the arms, ‘’well, I guess I’ll cancel the secret meeting with Fenrik tonight. Valeria hugged her tightly. She definitely loved her friends. They met on their first day at the academy. They were in the same dormitory, and their friendship has lasted until today. ‘’I need to tell you something, but don't panic." Valeria added excitement to her voice, but she also wanted her friends not to overreact. "I feel like I'm being watched again. It's the same feeling, I'm sure!’’ Everyone immediately started looking around, but they didn't see anyone. Elara spoke. "Don't you think it's weird, too?" "There is no one around, where is everyone?" Valeria added. Elara's eyes suddenly widened. "Because class has started, you idiots! Run!" The three of them ran quickly and entered the math class, which had already started. They received a lot of scolding from the teacher and were punished with cleaning the classroom after school. None of them cared about this, because they were dreaming of the night. *** After the night roll call, they all quietly changed their clothes. Thanks to Elara's dear boyfriend, they had school pants. They all hated wearing skirts constantly. Their backpacks were ready; they had flashlights in their hands and sticks just in case. The forest wasn't this scary during the day; Valeria felt like she regretted coming. "Couldn't we have come here during the daytime?!" Elara asked, without hiding the fear in her voice. "I deeply regret canceling my meeting right now." "It has no excitement during the day, right Valeria?" Irene looked at Valeria, who was holding her arm tightly out of fear. The trees were now even covering the shadow of the school; they could only see ahead with their flashlights. When the light of their flashlights weakened at the same time, they were blocked. Valeria and Elara suddenly screamed because someone appeared in front of them. The man fixed his eyes on Irene. "Are you the bravest one, beauty? I adore fearless people." Elara clung to Irene's right arm, and Valeria clung to her left arm. Irene was looking at the person in front of her angrily. The man took a step toward them. "Ay, don't come closer, shoo!" Valeria shouted and threw the stick in her hand. The man in front of them started laughing. "I definitely liked you. Especially you, Irene." Fear filled Irene, but she didn't show it. If she was scared too, who would protect her friends? "How do you know my name?" "I know everything." "My God, I wish we had bought some holy water or something, we could have thrown it and run away now!" Elara muttered to herself. The man laughed again. "Holy water doesn't work on me, darling." "Elara! What are you guys doing here!" All three of them turned to the deep voice coming from behind them. As soon as Elara saw her boyfriend, Fenrik, she ran and hugged him. When Irene turned back, she realized the man was already gone and their flashlights had returned to their old light. Seriously, what was that? "How did you know we were here, Fenrik?" Valeria asked curiously. "I followed you. When Elara cancels a meeting with me, you always end up sticking your noses into something!" "Since you are with us now, you can come and see that cabin with us, right Fenrik?" Valeria asked, still clinging to Irene's arm. "I didn't come to help you, I came to get you out of here. Let's go-" Fenrik suddenly stopped and listened intently. He was looking into the forest in the dark. Fenrik's state frightened everyone. "Is... is there something there?" Elara asked. Fenrik shook his head no. And they left the forest.