Episode4
1281 Words
The walk to the common room took a long time due to the fact that the school was very big.
It had a gigantic swimming pool, a hospital complete with all necessary health workers, a gymnasium, a tennis court, basketball court, an enormous football field and lots more.
A week is definitely not enough to tour the whole school.
It screams money and elegance.
The common room was an extra large room with cozy chairs and tables. It has a fully stocked fridge by the corner and another corner for snacks and edibles.
In the common room, they found an empty table to sit and discuss without distractions.
They discussed their life, likes and dislikes, childhood experiences and every other thing possible.
"I've always wanted to be a detective", Olivia was saying.
"Nothing interests me more than finding evidence and putting criminals in the right place," She continued with shimmering eyes as she daydreamed.
"Wow", the other girls cooed.
"Cool". They all agreed with admiration.
"No wonder you dealt with those hoodlums effortlessly" Chloe noted.
"I've always wanted to be a nurse," Lisa said, with a shy smile.
"Why?"
"The joy that comes from helping patients and clients become well. The happiness that I am able to positively impact my client's life through my series of treatments and counseling"
She stopped and looked into the faces of Lisa and Olivia, who were obviously awed by how deep her love for nursing was. "I want to be part of it. It's a dream I want to actualize", she finally concluded.
"Actually... I've always wanted to...." Chloe was saying, but stopped midway.
They were interrupted by an announcement that they've been placed into groups for the research, and they can all check the groups they belong to in the class w******p group.
The group is meant for any activity they'll be doing during the picnic and school activities that will follow.
All the students hurriedly checked their groups.
There were 4 groups of 6 students each.
Lisa and Chloe were in the same group with 4 other students.
Olivia was also in another group with five other unfamiliar students.
She was sad.
"Why am I not in the same group with you guys?" She asked with a sad smile that disappeared as soon as it appeared.
Lisa looked at her secretly with a hand on her chin and smiled as her eyes lit up.
"Way to go, Lisa", she thought to herself as her smile grew wider, and she typed something into her phone.
The girls continued discussing other things.
About 10 minutes later, an updated list of the groups for the research was sent, and the girls were in the same group this time around.
They were to be transported to the forest on a luxurious and gigantic school bus in 3 days' time.
On Saturday.
It has been arranged for them to arrive at a rented mansion that has been fully equipped with everything they are likely to need throughout their stay there.
"Yayyy" They all screamed in joy and had a group hug when they saw the new group list.
This made other students in the common room envious.
But they didn't give a damn.
When the break was over, they all went back to class for the next class.
CHLOE'S HOUSE
School was finally over.
Chloe got home with thoughts of how to inform her father of their proposed school outing. He doesn't like anything that has to do with forests for a reason that remains unknown to her.
She decides to tell him anyway.
"Dad, I have something important to tell you", she began tentatively.
"Yeah?"
"The thing is...we will have to go to the Dark Forest for the school annual festival this Saturday", She finally told him as they sat down to dinner.
"Dark Forest ? That sounds familiar", Mr Anderson realized.
"Yeah, it's the forest that's always on the news because of the unusual behavior of bears there" Chloe quickly said. "I'm sure that's why it sounds familiar."
"We might be able to unravel this mystery when we go there, and it would be a great achievement as an individual and for the school as a whole," she added.
"When will you be back ?"
"Not sure yet. We might spend up to a month there. But rest assured that all precautions have been taken care of to keep us free from danger.
"Okay dear, just stay safe and away from trouble please"
"Sure dad" Chloe agreed happily as she hugged her father tightly.
She was surprised he didn't object, though...that wouldn't have changed her mind about going a bit.
**THREE DAYS AFTER**
The big day was finally here. All the students were in their class to get addressed by their class teacher and school principal.
"This journey you're embarking on might be tasking and in need of wits" The principal was saying as he carefully looked at each one of the students.
"But...you have all it takes to succeed in this" he added.
"Just ensure you are unified and love each other"
At this, the students chuckled.
The principal was at first confused about the reason for their chuckles.
It took him a minute to comprehend the reason, and he smiled widely as the silly reason hit him like lightning.
"No no no. I don't mean romantic love please. Love each other like families"
"Can't we love each other romantically then?" Someone asked from the crowd.
To this, a contagious laughter that lasted for minutes was initiated.
"You're free". The principal replied with a knowing smile. "Just don't overdo it."
All said and done by the principal and the class teacher, the students dispersed. They moved to the school park where they were searched for any prohibited object or substance.
Students with alcoholic drinks on them had all their drinks confiscated.
They all looked bright and vibrant in their clothes...with some girls dressed as tomboys and some dressed like hot grown-ups.
Chloe and her friends were in matching shirts that had "Ain't Looking" written on the front parts in italics and ripped jean trousers complete with Gucci sneakers.
After all the searches had been done, the students entered the luxurious bus to be used to convey them to the Dark Forest with all their luggage and set off on a journey that made all of them uncertain as to what the outcome would be.
*****
The bus ride took 3 hours, and they got to the Dark Forest in no time.
They were welcomed by a lot of fallen trees and petals.
Despite these, however, the forest was still a sight to behold.
The sky was clear.
The mansion was at a safe distance from the house.
All the unpacking was done in the mansion and everyone settled into their rooms.
The arrangement was 3 per room, and you get to choose your roommates.
Close and her friends, of course, decided to stay together in the very spacious room. There was a plasma TV and fridge in all the rooms too.
As she looked out the window...she could have sworn she saw a creature move past at an inhumane speed.
She was startled and dropped the glass cup she was holding.
Attracted by the noise, her friends looked at her with questioning faces.
"I saw something... move like a flash" she stammered with eyes wide open in fear.
Her friends, however, just laughed in dismissal.
As if to prove them wrong, they heard a very loud howl from somewhere in the forest.
Birds noisily flew up into the sky and scattered in different directions.
Everywhere became silent at once.
*****
The story has just begun.
- Writer
