Chapter 1: The Request
~Soah's Point of View~
Soah felt the coarse grass beneath her body shook, scratching the sides of her arms and legs bare of clothing for she was clad only in a plain white t-shirt and cotton black shorts.
Stirring from her slumber as the ground continued trembling slightly underneath, she yawned rubbing her sleepy eyes awake. Her caramel eyes opened to see the peachy sky above framed by dead branches empty of leaves.
Had I fallen asleep outside again? The raven hair woman sat up slowly, her messy bangs parted her forehead and her hair tousled down to her back shoulder blades. A quick glance around told her she was a few yards away from the end of a forest instead of her serene backyard.
Where am I? Hadn't I gone to bed early because of my appointment with Kaien regarding my new teaching position tomorrow?
It had been nearly three months since Kaien proposed her to be a special teacher at Cross Academy for the school year. She had accepted without hesitation, honored to have Kaien considered her and more than anything, excited to fulfill her calling beside him.
But how is she to arrive on time if she didn't even know where she is?
Taking a deep breath Soah noticed how parch the air was. The temperature is intense as the sahara desert despite the sun settling down at the horizon. Her thoughts of looking for water was interrupted as the ground shook louder, the thundering closer.
Turning her head towards the sound, Soah suddenly saw a group of people on horses emerged at the end of the forest before her.
A light bulb went off in her mind; Wait! I can ask them for help!
Walking swiftly, the barefooted girl hid herself behind one of the overgrown trees of the dead forest to observe the group.
How strange...Why are they covered from head to toe? I can't even make out their faces?
"We will camp here tonight," said a female voice.
"Yes, ma'am. You heard her. Set up camp," a male voice began directing everyone.
Soah watched as the group dispersed except for the two spoken individuals. She was about to step out and ask for their help when they resumed their conversation.
"How long do you plan to keep searching for those like us?"
Like us? Who are they searching for?
A pregnant pause passed before Soah heard, "However long it takes."
"You really believe there are still more of us out there?"
The human teacher tensed as the other figure walked toward the tree she was hiding behind. With both hands against the tree, Soah's heart was beating erratically thinking she had been caught listening in on their conversation. She was just about to reveal herself and apologize, but heard the faint touch of a hand to the dying tree.
"Lonely...it must be so lonely living forever watching everything change and pass by while they, themselves remain the same. Left behind, they probably feel so forsaken. I merely desire to unite us all like this forest. So even in precarious times we have each other. So even in the face of eternity, we are not alone—Will you help me?"
Soah stopped breathing. Her earthy eyes rose in alignment with those of the unknown woman. Despite the tree separating them, an energetic wave was connecting them and she instantly knew it was not their companion they were seeking help from.
The person is requesting Soah!
Got too excited and posted another chapter! Many thanks for being the first one to favorite my story! You know who you are! Thank you to all those who stop by as well.