Chapter 5
I pull the grey hoodie over me, shrouding my face in darkness as I slowly make my way through the silent and darkened dormitory, and toward the back door.
I had forgotten how little my existence meant to the people in this academy.
No one came to get me, or scold me for not attending the rest of my classes, but I guess that in itself was a benefit.
I slip past the small lounge, where our dorm-mother, Ms. Klein, sits watching an old black and white movie, drinking something that vaguely smells like brandy from a small pumpkin shaped mug.
Her laugh covers the sound of the doors latch clicking shut as I slowly make my way out the back door of the dormitory.
I quickly slink over to the benches using the night to stay in the shadows as I make my way toward the forest's treeline.
Hearing the sound of footsteps and voices getting nearer and I dash to the trees, carefully ducking behind one as a group passes by the bench where I had just been.
They're tall, most likely all boys by their frames. They’re dressed in dark clothing and also sticking to the shadows, so I can't make out their faces.
Probably a group sneaking out to the town a few miles away. It wasn’t uncommon.
One of them suddenly kicks at the stone bench, the force of it making the thick heavy brick shake before a corner begins to crumble.
Another boy beside him tugs at his arm, telling him to ‘Come on’ before walking toward the third and final boy. They slowly make their way past the bulletin board in the courtyard and down the path leading toward the academy's main gate.
Wensridge academy had a huge campus and was surrounded by hundreds of acres of forest. The nearest town was around ten miles east.
A great location for training young supernaturals and keeping their privacy, but not so great for the bored entitled students looking for entertainment.
The town itself was small, with only a couple of local boutiques and cafes for socialising. Most of the places were older than the residents that managed them, and usually in need of some renovation, or at least a new slap of paint.
I wait until they're completely out of sight before I head deeper into the forest, sticking to the trees as I make my way further from the academy.
I walk for at least twenty minutes, the academy falling behind me and no longer in my sight. There's nothing but the forest trees surrounding me as I search for a small area to train.
A small brook trickles in the distance, leaves rustle around me with the Autumn wind, and small forest creatures begin to prepare for sleep, as others begin to wake.
A squirrel scrambles up a tree beside me and climbs into a small hole, while an owl passes by, its eyes glowing in the dark as it glances toward the tree.
The forest creatures move and scatter around me, with nature's nightlife falling and awakening as I slowly move through the area.
I turn toward the sky, the stars now beginning to shine above me as the moon gently forms, its soft light showing me more of the darkened forest’s features.
I felt no fear in the dark, only a pure sense of freedom and enjoyment at taking in the beauty of a free world surrounding me, and in doing what I couldn’t for six long years.
I take a deep breath and continue to soak in my surroundings for another moment before looking around me.
This area was restricted by the academy.
The further you go, the more chances you could meet with some wild magical beast or lose your footing and fall into a ditch or off a steep cliff. But that's what made it perfect.
It was secluded from the rest of the academy and there were no prying eyes out this far.
If I met some creature…well I guess I’d be getting some hands-on experience, and hopefully it would result in some physical improvement. And not end in my death.
I release a cold breath. It takes on a small smokey form leaving my lips, the air becoming even more icy as I head deeper into the forest.
The snapping of a twig in the distance pulls my attention, followed by the crunching sound of leaves beneath feet, making its way closer.
I crouch down beside a large fallen tree trunk, hiding in its shadow and behind its moss-covered bark.
The figure moves closer, a hooded dark jumper covering its face. The person sighs, it's cold breath forming like my own into smoke with the colder air here.
Its large frame and physique tells me it's either a man or a tall boy.
His shoulders are stiff, his back rigid as he looks out into the darker end of the forest.
What was he even doing out here? Was he a student, or maybe a teacher on patrol?
But to be this far out?
He moves forward, making his way further toward the eerier side of the woods, when a small trickle of moonlight catches on to his hood, making a little strand of silvery-white hair visible in the light.
I wait, watching on as he slowly disappears into the right-side of the woods before I pull myself up and head toward the opposite area and the one with more moonlight covering its forest floor.
A few more minutes of walking and I find a small clearing with trees surrounding it on all sides that gives me great cover from prying eyes.
I listen for any noises of footsteps around me before I head in.
But there's only the scattering of leaves with the wind and some small animals scurrying about.
I pull off my hoodie and step into the clearing, stretching the tiredness from my limbs as I make my way into the centre.
I roll my shoulders out and take my stance, remembering the movement and training I had picked up in The Facility when fighting.
Even in my most weakened state I tried to train my body.
Every day that I could move in that cell, I trained. Even if I couldn’t throw a proper punch or could only complete ten pushups, I’d still keep moving to strengthen my body.
Even if I didn’t have the strength or agility right now, I had my memories and the mind was a powerful thing.
I raise my fists, putting as much strength into them as I can as I throw out a jab-cross combo, building my pace quickly before switching to a lead and rear hook.
I snap back quickly, changing my stance as I lightly bounce on my feet, a rhythm taking place as I bring my hands and fist to my head.
I pivot my hips and foot, twisting into a strong roundhouse kick.
I repeat it over and over, alternating between each leg, and then turn into another jab-cross combo, while pivoting into a side-step.
I let my body relax into the movements, letting my old routine play out over and over until I lose track of time, and all I can feel is the physical burn from my body and the sound of my own racing heart and heavy breathing in my ears.
After a while, I swipe away the sweat dripping down my face and chest as I take a minute to calm down.
I was much more out of breath and tired than I’d hoped I’d be.
It seems it might take a bit longer to get to where I needed to be. I’d have to train every night.
I grab my hoodie from the ground and throw it on quickly, the icy air catching me.
Soon it would be winter, and with it would come a few ‘fun’ events. But this time, I wouldn’t be sitting still.
I make my way out of the small clearing and back toward the academy, listening as I move through the dark forest for any footsteps or voices.
I didn't want to bump into the strange guy from before.
After a few minutes of walking, the trees break and I make out the familiar shape of the academy and the dormitory building.
I quickly slink into the courtyard's shadows and make my way toward the dorm's back door.
I give the door a gentle pull, only to be met with resistance.
It was locked.
Ms. Klein must have made her way to bed. I guess I had spent longer training than I had thought.
I sigh, pulling a small safety pin from my hoodie pocket and gently push it into the door's keyhole. I twist and turn the small metal pin until I hear a small click.
A grin stretches my lips as the door slowly creaks open and I make my way inside.
The moon shone through the old dorm's windows, continuing to light my way and guiding me until I reached my room.
I creep inside and flop down onto the welcoming bed, the old and worn wood creaking underneath me as my body reaches its limits for the night.
Darkness begins to take me again, this time a gentle and calming kind, and one I welcomed.
My eyes begin to close with the soft warmth surrounding me, the last words filling my head are of a familiar sweet gravelly voice calling my name.
‘ Micai’.