The Arrow's Betrayal

Show Yourself

The Blistering smoke kissed my skin and sent shivers to my spine. I felt the adrenaline debilitate in me and made me weak on my knees, I felt the sudden fear of dying. What did I do?

"Celestine..."

The capacious fire is screaming death while the firefighters tried to set it off. I was lost at that very moment, lost in a void of thoughts, a sea of feelings.

"Celestine?"

Faintly, I started to recall the last words my mouth could offer before I fell into this nothingness. The reflection of the fire? What does that supposed to mean? I remembered Lily's dullard question, that my hair was red. Funny how come my hair is red?

"Wait, my hair is re – "

"CELESTINE!" after that ear-screeching shout, I snapped out of my thoughts as if I was resurrected. It was Devon who yelled my name.

"Thank you for saving my life, I didn't think you would do that for me." Devon humbly said while staring straight down, he could've at least thanked me while looking into my eyes. I actually really didn't even think I would help him in the first place, it was just like my body was controlling me and my thoughts.

"Sure, don't sweat it," I replied as my hand unconsciously pat his head. Devon sprints his way to his group and pointed me to them, it added more tension to the atmosphere. I can sense the cold stares and vague conversations towards me.

Where was I again? Oh right, my hair is red. I hovered my hands around my nape and occipital trying to cover my said fire hair. I rushed my way to the orphanage's main restroom to check my hair. As I walk into the hallway to the restroom, I made sure no one knew that I came there. I was very anxious that people will make fun of me.

"What?" I mumbled out of confusion, why am I concerned about anything these other orphans will say. Every single thing I did in this situation is very not... me.

I knew I was near when I slowly inhaled the impregnable reek of the uncleaned comfort room. As I came closer to the CR it was like walking to Hades' armpit. I slowly scanned for people, luckily there's none. I took a deep breath that allowed me not to smell the stink when I enter the room. After that, I gave the restroom's knob-less door a big push that made it burst open exposing the CR's yellow stained tiles, rusty faucets, and near to rot cubicle wooden doors. I went straight to the bemired mirror and twisted myself to make sure I see the back of my hair.

"Hm, Strange." I said to myself, only the lower part of my hair is colored red. Very strange.

"Well, I guess it's a flex?" that was my way of lifting my feelings. I grabbed my hair and tried to tie it into a ponytail to expose the odd color when a mouse passed through the restroom's sink made me lose my grip. This orphanage really needs pest control, these mice are getting out of hand.

I wanted to get out of the filthy restroom so badly that I forgot that I was supposed to tie my hair. I went straight to the great hall to check if everyone's still there, but only the janitor and the housefather, Michael was left to have a conversation with the firefighters.

As fast as possible, I turned my back and went straight to my bed. Everyone was still talking about me and yes, I can tell. While I took my time walking my way to my area to annoy them, their gossips are getting very obvious. Their cold piercing eyes followed me until I reached my destination, I quickly rested my body on my beloved hammock and pulled my rough blanket from my feet over my head.

This day was a pure mess. I tried to sleep but something's stopping me to do so, I feel so annoyed. Suddenly a thought came in, it was my fault, wasn't it? I was the one who made everyone panic, that's why they keep on looking at me like I was the reason that they were an orphan.

I was bothered for the very first time in my life, I felt the deadly guilt that made many people lose their minds. I felt so empty, I was filled with nothingness at that very moment. My heartfelt heavy and went into flames, the urge of making things right was creeping through my veins.

I'm missing something, or maybe someone. What could it be?

My night was full of thoughts, eventually, I fell asleep due to exhaustion. What a very not that nice way to end, or rather start a day.

A delicate hand went through my head to my face, like a feather slides down your skin. I woke up and attempted to search for the person who touched me gracefully, but I failed. There was no one. I heard steps from outside, it must be Lily. Pulled me out of my bed and folded my blankets.

"You're early." I scanned the room to see who said that, it was Oliver. I didn't say anything, I wasn't even planning to. I took my toothbrush and toothpaste to my desk to avoid starting a conversation.

"You're colder than ever, Cel." he said, I was about to give him a mean look but I laid off. But he decided to break my nearly shattered inner peace.

"You we're cool yesterday, saving Devon's life like a hero!" he said, I couldn't take it anymore. I snapped, my grip on my toothbrush and paste became so tight that my nails pricked my palm.

"One more word and I'll punch your face." I did my best not to be loud, and I think it worked. Oliver's eyebrows became closer to each other giving me a "what did I do" look. I ignored him and went to the room's bathroom.

While brushing my teeth I wanted to see if my red hair is real or just something my mind created yesterday because I was terribly tired. I bent my neck to expose my back, right from the bat I did not notice any red strands. I lift my shoulder-length hair slowly, but to my surprise, it wasn't there. I guess I was just tired after all.

Nothing exciting happened the whole day. I keep avoiding people, and luckily Oliver was the only person who dared to say a word to me. Even Freya didn't have the guts to say anything. Throughout the day, I felt a very strong force pulling me outside the orphanage. I remembered the times that I kept asking Lily or Michael about my parents, not knowing or understanding the concept of being an orphan. I strongly felt that I am missing something before came back. I don't really think it's my parents, but that the only thing I could think of missing. The sensation was strong, it was bothersome.

The day ended as usual. And the next day, I snuck out.

Even I couldn't believe that I left the orphanage without permission. Even though I don't socialize that well, I was still a good orphan. Leaving the orphanage every day during our two hours play-time became my only escape for the past week. I tirelessly searched for clues about my parents every time I sneak out, but every time I do, I lamentably fail.

This time, something different happened. The moment my foot landed on the street, I felt this strange force that made me think that I'll be lucky for this search. I jubilantly explored the vicinity. Up, down, left, and right, I patiently waited to fulfill this uncontrollable notion.

While on my walk, I decided to cross past the road. I never thought it was a bad idea, I walked straight up the road, and let me say this, I almost died. Vehicles' deafening honks made me aware of my dangerous action. I was a hurdle, and because of that shame was almost written on my forehead. People were looking at me thinking who I am and why am I alone, a twelve-year-old female crossing the street by herself.

Men in blue called me, two of them. They were police officers. Oh no, I can't let myself be caught the orphanage will be in trouble so I ran as fast as I can avoiding every pedestrian I passed through. The police even blew their whistle but I didn't stop.

Just like at the fire, I felt the rush of adrenaline pumping into my system. I noticed the growing distance between me and the officers, they might be tired but I kept running and made the distance between us even larger. My eyes detected a place where a person like me would want to go, yes you guessed it an archery field. My chest started to feel heavy, and I started to breathe to my great extent as I ran towards the field.

I looked back and checked if the officers are still in sight, and they were. I decided to hide in the garbage container, I lifted open the lid and hopped into the filthy garbage stack, and waited for them to pass by. Using the small gap on the lid, I made myself a peeping hole. I waited a couple of minutes until those slow-poke officers reached the area.

"I think we lost her, damn it!" one officer said.

"let's go back, maybe she ran home." the other officer said. They walked away panting, I wasn't sure if I should get out of my hiding place but my instincts said it was safe. With all my force, I pushed myself against the lid to open it and when it did, I sprinted out and went straight to my dream place: the archery field.

The wide green fields are just like I see in the books, the wind is so gentle it made my exhaustion fade away. I look up to the sky and witnessed a very blue pigment. I took a deep breath, and yes, I raised my arms, I feel so free. I am visibly alone but I am felicitous. Even after this sensation, my heart races even more.

"You're about to jump out of there little fella" I said while I place my hand onto my chest.

Out of nowhere, I heard a peal of wispy laughter, as for my curious self I went and follow the fainted voices. As the sound of merry individuals became clearer and clearer, I didn't even know why I was surprised to see a group of archers in an archery field.

"Three bullseyes in a row! That was incredible Harris great job." said the mid 30's man to teen archer named Harris.

"Thank you, coach I was also astonished. I didn't expect to nail that shot." said Harris, the very moment Harris' voice was registered my heart started pounding like crazy. Because of my unhinged chest, my body involuntarily peeked to see what does this Harris looked like.

He was a fine-looking man. The wind blew and made his hair flow backward, he hovered his hands to fix his thick brown hair. I feel like I am drowning, the cold breeze made my emotion stronger. I want to see his eyes, but he's too far away.

"I think you're ready for the contest." said the female archer. Harris looked in my direction and allowed me to see his crystal blue eyes. I clenched my fist due to the joy that I was feeling.

"I really hope so too. Shall we pack up? It's getting late." I felt so devastated when Harris said that, but it also made me realize that he is right and I should be back as soon as possible.

Without looking back, I ran as fast as I can until I reached the orphanage. Forty minutes and the roll call will start, I'm so lucky that staring at the archer boy didn't take much time.

"Cute" I whispered to myself, I guess I have my first crush.

The time went by fast and it's already night time, I snuggled my only pillow and attempted to sleep as early as possible.

"I hope he wins." I said while I slowly closed my eyes. The next day I was awakened by annoying tics of the old wall clock, have I said that I've always hated the sound of that clock?

I did my daily routine and went into the yard to help clean my sisters. As soon as my feet made their first step outside the blinding sunlight welcomed me, I was not flattered and immediately made my day below normal. I took the broom laid inside the shed, the broom itself is dusty. I gently tapped the broom on the countertop to remove the dust and spider webs, as soon I was ready, I got out of the shed and headed near the well to sweep the dead leaves.

As soon as 3'o clock came, I rushed out of the facility and went straight on searching... nothing.

While walking, I noticed some unfamiliar school buses heading north. I decided to follow those school buses, to be honest, I am very surprised that every time that I leave the orphanage, I do not get lost. I guess I'm just good with directions, speaking of directions heading north lead me to a very unfamiliar place. There were a lot of people, I was very conscious at first but I learned to blend in.

I was shocked at a particular person dressed up all pink, with a fluffy top hat smiling at me. I am very reluctant to smile back, but I don't want to be rude to I gave her an emotionless smile. A little more walk I saw a sign saying "Los Angeles National Zoo" seeing that made me feel excited. This is the first time I'll animals other than dogs, cats, squirrels, and birds.

My heart started to pound, I was getting used to it by now it didn't bother me that much. At the zoo's entrance, a guard is collecting tickets from those who bought and made a reservation at the zoo. At first, I was quite sad knowing that I can't come in.

But I came up with a badass idea. I'll sneak in, I can't let my chest keep on pounding for nothing.

The zoo's wall is composed of huge concrete and fences, the very moment that I saw the fence I planned on climbing it. I was walking towards it and I noticed this 25-year-old looking lady staring at me with obvious confusion, I don't blame her I was walking the opposite way where the gate is.

Something blue caught my attention, it was very far from where I stand. I decided to walk faster to the fence and the closer I get there, the faster and harder my heartbeats. Other than my heartbeat, I can also feel the cold stare of this lady. What is she doing? Doesn't she have her own business to attend?

"Hey, don't even bother sneaking in." the lady said. How in the world did she know?

"Well, you're wrong. I am not sneaki– "I said in a defending manner, who is this girl?

"Oh, okay." she cuts, "I can see you have some banging interest on that peacock." the lady added.

"P-peacock you say? Is that what's it called?" I innocently said while I look back to the peacock's direction. That bird is majestic. Seconds later the colorful bird looked at me in the eye and bends its neck as if it's focusing its sight on me. The bird opened its enormous tail, I felt like dropping down, my body was numb but the pounding of my chest became more intense. I fell into an illusion, soon enough I wasn't myself anymore.

A honk of a bus woke me up from the illusion. I search for the lady, but she wasn't there anymore. It was confusing, walking home was a long trip for me.

Noises from the street failed to make me lose my deep concentration in order for me to understand what happened. Finally, I am back.

*

*

Another day of searching for something that nobody knows. I feel nothing, until...

A familiar song registered into me. Can it be?

"Close thine eyes darling, let thine self be kip.

Tomorrow thy will be back, hope thy won't bide..."

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