The Morrow's Yesterday

Chapter 12: The Bravest Woman

Chrysan’s POV

I groaned when I felt someone striking a soft object on me. Following were Daphne’s yells. She’s like a mother. We’re already 33 but I didn’t feel that I am. Or maybe because I’m not really 33?

We’re still acting like teenagers. Jokes and childish stuff are still involved in our friendship. I can’t imagine my life without these guys. I’m enjoying myself here in the future. I’m scared that the time will come that I don’t want to leave here and be back to where I belong.

“Wake up, sleepyheads! It’s time to train,” she said continued striking us with a soft pillow.

I rubbed my eyes to wake myself completely. I noticed that all of us were half-awaked, some of them were rubbing their tummy below their clothes, some scratched their head, and some yawned and stretched. If I remembered it right, today’s the day we will start our training.

Everyone was chaotic. Meanwhile Jairo, he’s not doing anything, he’s just sitting on the corner of the bed while looking in the air. Keith approached him and waved his hand in front of him, but he didn’t get any kind of response. He didn't even blink!

“Earth to Jairo,” Keith said, trying to catch Jairo’s attention but he just continued staring in nothingness.

“Eat well, guys,” Daphne said while plastering a genuine smile and she handed us metal lunchboxes.

“Your kindness is kinda suspicious,” Reikkie commented while started eating what Daphne gave. She acts that she despised us, but on the contrary, she’s the one who most cares about us.

I opened the lid and a fried chicken greeted me along with a cup of rice. I just shrugged and started eating too since I’m hungry as if I haven’t eaten in a month. I’ll admit that I’m excited about what’s going to happen now. My life in the present only revolves around experiments, and my parents isolate me from people. It’s not the life I’ve wanted.

But here, it's so eventful. I'm getting fired up.

“I agree,” Xyxo concurred with Reikkie while he munches his fried chicken drumsticks. He even got leftovers on his cheeks, but he didn’t care about it and he just continued eating like a kid.

“It’s almost 2 in the morning! Oh my gorgeous, I just slept five minutes ago, for Pete’s sake!” Sy frustratedly said and she messed up with her own hair while having a sour expression on her face, but she started eating what Daphne gave.

“I haven’t closed my eyes yet,” Vane said in a monotone voice, he sounded like a zombie. His eyes have eyebags already and he’s pale like a ghost. He was staring in the air when he started eating the meal.

I didn’t pay any attention and just concentrated on the food I was eating. I didn’t remember when was my last meal. A proper meal to be specific. For me, here, it’s not a perfect life, but for some reason, I wanted to stay with my friends. Yes, they’re chaotic, but they’re the ones I only have.

I raise my head when I heard Daphne chuckle. All attention was on her at the moment. “I know you’re frustrated, guys. Just remember what we’ve discussed yesterday. Supposedly, this is the start of your ‘hellish’ training,” she announced while having a grin on her face.

I was right. I’m looking forward to it.

“So, while you were enjoying your meal, let me announce the tasks we should do.” She put his fist in front of her mouth and then she coughed. She took a step back and took a compilation of papers in the cabinet behind her. She scanned it and nodded as she read those pages.

“Here it goes. Keith will be our acting commander. Vane will take Jairo’s job. And Jairo will start to invent machines, Xyxo will be the one who’s in charge of our water supply. Sythel will work together with the hologram computers starting today and Reikkie will study more about Sythel’s ability. Me, I will connect to nature, and lastly, Chrysan, will take Reikkie’s job as our strategist.” She closed the compiled paper and looked at us one by one.

“Are we clear?” she asked us while smiling. My forehead creased when I realized that I can’t do any extra movements, and my gaze was fixed on Daphne. My eyes widened when my mouth uttered something automatically as if someone was controlling me.

“Yes, ma’am,” we all said in chorus. Then I realized that it’s not just me, my friends too. We’re all looking at Daphne who’s standing in front of us and she’s literally grinning at us, making it obvious that she’s enjoying the moment.

“Do you understand?” she asked again, and for the second time, my head automatically nodded.

Just… what the hell?

“Good,” she said.

I could feel that some string was snapped from my body, connecting to Daphne’s as if the curse was now broken. After that, our friends threw violent reactions to what Daphne said, but Sythel’s words caught my attention.

“You’re so annoying, if you used that, Daph. I’m starting to dislike you,” Sythel annoyingly said and comb her hair using her hairbrush.

Daphne looked behind her where Sy was and she plastered a smirk. “Oh, really? Then, I should use it often,” she continued teasing Sy, making the boys chuckle.

“Ugh! I hate you!” Sythel exclaimed and stomped her feet. She turned her back against us and lay on her bed again.

“What ‘that’ Sy’s talking about?” I asked out of curiosity and thankfully, Reikkie entertained my question.

“Ever since Daphne mastered the Camouflage Technique, she’s now learning the Art of Commanding. What she used earlier was ‘Art of Commanding Stage 6: The Ruler’s Commands’,” she explained and I just kept nodding every word she says.

It somehow enlightened me and made me realize something. Daphne’s not powerful because of the power she held. She’s powerful because she managed how to use them without causing any harm to others. She didn’t become boastful and in fact, she helped us raise. Rise together with her.

“Among us, Daphne is the most powerful, and she’s really suited to be our leader, but sometimes, she’s really annoying.” I flinched when Vane suddenly spoke on my left side while eating his fried chicken.

“Yeah, you’re right. Especially when she used those.” I flinched once again when Xyxo popped up on my right side while eating his fried chicken too.

They were like mushrooms.

They were speaking at a low volume so that Daphne won’t hear us. I took a glance at Daphne who was busy reading some papers. I stepped back a little and I’m going to try my best to find some tea on these two.

“If she’s annoying then why are you following her?” I asked in a whisper, trying to join in their conversation.

I know that it’s not like me, but I can’t help it. They both looked at each other as if they were surprised by my sudden action. They moved closer to me and whispered back.

“We can’t help it, she’s the mother of the group,” Xyxo answered. I can’t help but imagine everything back in the present. Those times that we’re doing picnics in the nature park.

“And, we know that listening to her was for the best,” Vane added and raised his fist and smiled as if he’s cheering me on.

I looked at Daphne who was busy commanding my other friends about the things they should do. I can’t help but smile. I’m so lucky that I’ve met her. She’s so genuine. I hope one day, I’ll be like her. I will always look upon her.

Daphne Hollows― the bravest woman I’ve known.