Hello again! Yes, I am back sooner than some may have thought! I am on vacation from work this week, so I am taking some time to catch up a bit on this story. I hope you've all enjoyed so far, and are ready for more! :D
Gregory bit his lip nervously, smiling crookedly as Vanessa hugged him as she told him the news.
"I did it... no, WE did it." She smiled up at him.
"Yeah, I guess we did." He chuckled. "Look, mom's probably expecting me for supper, I should get going."
"Okay, see you around, partner!" Vanessa waved as she too headed for home. She smiled when she entered the woods, looking up to the tree tops as she looked for her special friend. "Ralph! Ralph, I have something to tell you!" She heard a thud behind her, chuckling as she turned to face him. "I... I'm going to race!" She told him how it had come to be, and Ralph smiled gently.
"That is good news. You will have to train, yes?"
"Yeah! I'm gonna come here every day after school until the final race! We're going to do this Ralph... and... also, Gregory's gonna keep trying to convince his parents to help save your home."
Ralph nodded lightly. "That would be wonderful. I long to see my Kira again. He stood, looking to the darkening sky. "Come tomorrow and we will begin. Take time tonight to reflect on what you must do."
"Only thing I'm gonna do is be impatient because I can't WAIT! I get that feeling in my belly where I might just burst!" She giggled, saying goodbye as she ran home excitedly.
The next day at school, Vanessa frowned a bit when she noticed Gregory wasn't around. Before heading to the woods to train, she decided to stop by his house to see what was going on. She knocked on the door, and it was answered by a young woman, her blonde hair done up. She wiped her eyes, composing herself.
"Oh... you must be Vanessa. I'm Gregory's mother." She said, her voice shaking a bit. "You must be looking for him. Please, come in."
Vanessa entered slowly, looking around. "Is um... is he around?"
His mother closed her eyes for a moment, nodding. "He really needs you right now. I... I'm so glad you stopped by."
Gregory slowly came out of his room, his face tear stained as well.
"Hey, what's the matter with you lot?" Vanessa frowned.
"Vanessa... m- my... my dad... he... he was killed yesterday."
Her eyes widened. "He was what?"
Gregory sniffled, wiping his nose. "He didn't listen to me, Vanessa. See, my grandpa liked him because they agreed on a lot. He said he was going to keep cutting down the forest, but... yesterday... his boss rang. He said he'd struck a wasp's nest by accident. He was allergic... he got stung so many times... they couldn't save him in time..." Gregory shut his eyes tightly, and Vanessa frowned deeply, hugging him.
His mother gently rubbed his back, looking to Vanessa. "I... we... are so grateful that you're in his life and can help him get through this, Vanessa. My name is Tania, by the way." The woman smiled. "And... I promise you something. The company is in my hands now. I already stopped production on the deforestation. I'm much like my half sister, in a way. It's the right thing, and we both always believed in the right thing. In fact, I'm fighting to have the land preserved. I'm not going to let my father rule my life anymore. You... you have been such a good influence on us." She gently pat Vanessa's shoulder. "You remind me so much of what I perceived my sister to be."
Vanessa smiled lightly. "Perceived? So, you never met her...?"
"No... she died before I was born. See, her mother died when she was a girl, and our father remarried my mother after her death and had me. Her name was Kira."
"Wow... that sounds really sad-" When Tania said her name, Vanessa's eyes widened a bit, blinking. She tried not to let her surprise show, but in that moment, she remembered a conversation she'd had with Ralph a few weeks prior.
"So, what was she like... I forget her name."
"Kira?" Ralph smiled at the sound. "She was a rare, beautiful flower. She could see past the evil that plagues the human kind and sought after something better."
"What was that?"
"Love. A love for something or someone that brings others joy, Vanessa, is not typical of humans from what I have seen. Sometimes even when they do, it is for impure reasons. She sacrificed her very life for it. This is why I help you, Vanessa. Because you are like her. You bring others joy by your talent. You must never lose sight of it. You must keep on, so that my dream of a new chance can keep on as well. We all must keep something, guard over something, to give us a reason to venture forth."
Vanessa looked up at Tania, smiling softly. "Thank you, m'am. I... there's a lot of folks who would really appreciate you saving the forest."
Ralph sat on a high branch, awaiting Vanessa's arrival. When he saw her below, he hopped down, approaching her.
"Hey, let's get started!" She called out, smiling brightly at him. She set her bag down on a rock, hopping down in the track Ralph had made for her.
"Yes. Now... you see, I am large, but can still run very fast. Do you know why? I focus my energy, and I keep my eyes and ears open to anything that may block me. Do not see them. See only the path you must take and the strength of your energy will take you to the ends of the Earth. Do not let the ground command you. You command it."
"Uh... okay." Vanessa nodded, trying to keep an open mind to his words. She took a deep breath, looking at the track before her. She was good at running there was no doubt about that. It was hurdles that she needed some help with. She exhaled sharply, getting a good head start. She barely made it over the first rock, and the second one got her as she tripped and fell flat. She groaned, getting back up and dusting herself off.
"Remember, you are letting the rock command you. You are swifter than a rock. A rock cannot move on its own. You can. Use that power to overcome it." Ralph advised.
Vanessa went back to the start, and allowed Ralph's words to sink in. Each time, she got a bit farther and Ralph would show her and advise her on how to get around an obstacle. She was more determined than ever, and though she didn't make it to the end that day, she progressed. When the sky began to darken, she gathered her things, looking back at Ralph. She remembered what had happened at Gregory's house earlier that day, and smiled lightly. "Thanks for your help, Ralph."
Ralph gave her a nod. "Return home safely."
She waved back, turning to head home. No, she wouldn't tell him just yet. Something told her it wasn't the right time. For once, she felt like she had a fighting chance to finally capture her dreams.
Mr. Kingsley was whistling in his office, straightening his tie as he was jotting something down. He seemed to be in happier spirits, but unfortunate for him this was about to be broken when someone entered his office, shutting the door firmly behind them.
Gregory came down the hall, holding a note in his hand to give to the principal to explain why he had been absent from school the prior day. He tilted his head when he noticed the door was closed, raising a brow. He then noticed that voices were coming from inside, and he inched closer, quietly pressing his ear to the door to listen.
"So, you thought you'd sneak around, huh? Find a better sponsor?"
"I- I never thaid I wath trying to replathe you, I jutht-"
"Just what, hmm? You wanted something that you can never have! You think you're the one who made this school something? I made this school, I made the headlines, and no one's EVER going to do that again! You think finding some better sponsor will be the answer to all your problems? Well you've got another thing coming if that's what you think. Make sure that little miss speed racer does not set one toe on that track team, or I will make sure the entire school knows about your little problem!"
"You... you wouldn't... after all I've done for you, I-"
"Ha! All YOU'VE done for ME? I'm the only reason why you're still IN this school, Kingsley. Especially with that problem you have... just imagine if all the school knew you were on psychiatric medication...?"
"Y- You know that it'th for nothing more than hyperactivity, I never would do anything to harm the children!"
"Oh, is that so? You've harmed plenty of children to keep our terms solid, Kingsley. And if you don't get Vanessa under control, I'll have to do something we'll both regret."
Gregory could barely breathe, his feet planted to the floor. Who was that speaking to the principal? Why did the sponsor want to hurt Vanessa? His train of thought was broken when he heard footsteps, his feet reacting on instinct as he dashed for the quickest hideout. He hurried over to the auditorium, but he knew he had been spotted when the double doors were closed a bit louder than he'd liked. The large room was empty, and only the security lights were on. As he hopped on the stage, he heard the doors open and close a second time, and he quickly groped the thick curtain for where it split, hard to see in the low light. He silently panicked as he heard the footsteps nearing closer and closer, not even wanting to see who it was now. He finally found the divide, shoving himself through it and making his way through the several other layers of curtains. His heart was racing in his chest as he still heard the footsteps approaching him. They were in hot pursuit but they were calm, collected, the beat of their footsteps steady unlike the erratic beating of Gregory's heart. His hands outstretched, he tried to feel for the one side of the stage, finally hitting a wall. He felt around for the ladder up to the extra storage area for props, climbing it. Once crouched up there, he looked down in the low light, seeing an outline of the mysterious assailant, but could not determine who it was. He saw the individual search around for a bit before departing, their footsteps fading. Gregory sighed with relief, slowly coming down the ladder and trying to find his way back out.
"Boy, that was close..." Gregory said to himself.
As he was once again looking for the divide, he suddenly felt hands on him, and his cries were muffled, realizing in horror the assailant had bluffed. Gregory tried to fight as much as he could, but he could not fight whomever had him. He was shoved against the wall and felt something being jabbed against his gut. In the low light, he looked down to see it was a night stick. He looked up at the two security guards narrowing his eyes at him.
"What do you think you're doing in here, son?" Dennis, one of the two, asked him.
"You don't belong in here this early. Could get in trouble if you keep messing around." Wyatt, the other, warned.
Just then, the stage was flooded with light as the backstage double doors opened. A third person entered, shutting it behind them.
"What's all the ruckus in here? Dennis, Wyatt? What's going on?" The person stepped forward, his amber eyes seeming to glow even in the low light.
"Oh, hey Bo... er, this kid here, he was fooling around or something in here." Dennis answered.
"Hm... oh, Gregory... here, let me take care of him. He isn't going to cause any trouble, he's a good kid. Actually, he looks like he's seen a ghost. You can return to your posts." He ushered Gregory to come over to him, patting his shoulder as he escorted him out of the auditorium and into his empty classroom. He sat Gregory down, offering him some water. "What happened, Gregory?"
Gregory looked up at Bo, clearing his throat. "Oh, you know... just uh... running from bullies."
Bo chuckled lightly. "I know the feeling. I was nicknamed lemon eyes as a kid because of their color. I hated it. But that all changed when I made the track team and earning awards. The bullying stopped. Then they hated me for another reason. My own brothers hated me even." He shook his head. "Look, Gregory. You have to be careful. I know you've been trying to do the right thing, but... if you stick your nose where it doesn't belong in this school, bad things could happen to you. I would know."
Gregory took a sip of water. "If that's true, then why did you stay?"
"Well... I like to think that I could be some sort of... outlet for children who are wronged here. I know how it feels to be used for the benefit of others."
"Like principal Kingsley?"
Bo nodded. "I don't know why he treats the students the way he does. It's as if he resents them... kids like Vanessa... poor girl. She has such high hopes. All for a little money. It's really a shame."
Gregory was afraid to say anymore, placing the cup down. "Thanks for saving me back there, Mr. Turner. I'm going to head to class now." He said, leaving without another word.
The next few days passed without any activity, except for Vanessa getting better at the track Ralph had made for her. However, one day, when she walked into class, she tilted her head when she noticed a girl sitting in Gregory's seat.
"Hey... this is my friend's seat. Gregory Orville sits there." Vanessa said.
"Vanessa dear, Gregory has been transferred to another class. He won't be learning here with us anymore." The teacher interjected.
Vanessa furrowed her brows, looking up at the teacher. "But... but why?"
"I don't know the reason, it was at the request of the principal. You'll also be in different lunch periods. I'm sorry, but you'll have to find a new class partner."
Vanessa looked around, all of the students glaring back at her. Taryn walked up to her, taking a lollipop out of her mouth.
"Guess he just doesn't like you anymore." She smirked, before taking her seat next to her boyfriend, Randy.
Vanessa narrowed her eyes at Taryn. "You wish." She then sat at her seat, opening her book and biting her lip a bit.
At lunch, Vanessa sat alone, frowning softly. She sighed, resting her head in her hands as other classmates snickered as they walked by. She perked up when she saw none other than Gregory quickly approaching her. "What are you doing here, shouldn't you be in class?"
Gregory frowned, looking around as he sat down. "Vanessa, I'm sorry but, this wasn't my choice. I asked the teacher to use the restroom but I wanted to see you. We'll... we'll meet up after school, okay?"
Vanessa nodded. "Okay, but get your behind back to class before you end up in detention!" She ushered him along, and he headed out of the lunchroom hurriedly.
After school, The two met at their lockers, gathering their things. They sat in the stairwell just outside the lobby to talk for a bit before heading out.
"So... what do you do after school anyway?" Gregory asked. "You always disappear for a few hours."
"I train. I have a... a friend that helps me." Vanessa replied.
"A friend? I thought I was your friend."
"Of course you are, dummy. Just because I have another friend doesn't mean I don't like you."
"I guess." He smiled. "So who is he? I didn't know you hung out with anyone else from school."
"He isn't from school. He... he's a bit different. I see him in the forest every day. But you can't tell anyone, not a single soul, got it?"
"Sure, okay. So why's he gotta be secret?"
"Because he's... not from around here. That's all you've gotta know." Vanessa said, as they stood up, heading into the lobby to head out. Dennis was at the security desk, lowering his shades for a moment as he watched them go out.
"Dumb kids." He said, and was soon joined by Wyatt. "Come on, we have work to do." Wyatt nodded and the two started their way down the hall to the back of the school.
For the next couple weeks, Gregory and Vanessa would meet up after school, but she noticed one day in class, Candace's seat was empty and Simon was not his usual "smooth" self, looking rather down in the dumps.
"Hey... what's with him?" Vanessa asked Julia, and the girl's fire red pigtails bounced when she looked at her.
"Oh, Candace requested a class change. Ever since the principal changed her lunch period, she and Simon have been going downhill. She broke up with him yesterday." Julia said.
Vanessa raised a brow. "But she was head over heels for him."
"I know... I never thought Simon could ever be this upset." Julia said, shrugging.
At the end of the day, she went to her locker, waiting around for Gregory. When he didn't come around, she furrowed a brow, looking around the school for him. "Gregory? Gregory!" She called, turning the corner to hear Candace giggling like she usually did, and she rolled her eyes. Vanessa was about to keep walking when she stopped dead in her tracks, slowly looking back. She noticed that she wasn't alone, and it wasn't just anyone she was with.
"Gregory?" Vanessa called, approaching them.
The boy had been smiling crookedly at Candace's affections until he heard Vanessa, straightening up and gulping a bit. "O- Oh, hey Vanessa... I didn't realize what time it was..."
Candace turned, rolling her eyes. "What do YOU want, loser? Oh..." She giggled a bit. "I'm with YOUR friend. Oh, wait, you don't have any friends now!" She laughed.
Gregory bit his lip. "Candace, stop it..."
"Let me fill you in. See, I've been getting to know Gregory for the last month or so, and he's actually not a bad guy... he's coming to the track meet to watch Taryn and I, and then we're hanging out at the diner after. He and Randy get along, really well... you know Vanessa, you're really selfish. All this time he could have been having some real fun if you hadn't held him back. But that's going to change now that he and I are dating."
"Candace, knock it off!" Gregory frowned. "Just because we're dating doesn't mean you-"
"You're dating her?" Vanessa laughed. "Really, you're dating Candace Howard, the biggest dummy in the school?"
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Candace whined.
"L- Look... Vanessa, I mean, we can still hang out, I still want to be f-"
"Uh, no, pumpkin pie. You either hang out with me, OR her. Not both." Candace said.
Gregory looked between the two girls, distressed. "I'm sorry Candace, but I-"
"No." Vanessa said, narrowing her eyes at Gregory. "No, I get it. Good ol' Mr. Kingsley did you a favor, you understand that now, don't you? You're in with the big shots now." She said, her voice shaking as she backed away.
"W- Wait, Vanessa, I- Vanessa!"
The raven haired girl didn't give him a chance to speak, running down the halls and out of the school. Gregory's hand dropped limply to his side, frowning deeply even as Candace began to show him more affection as she was doing earlier.
Ralph tossed and turned as he slept on the soft Earth, suffering from a nightmare. In the dream, he saw the precious cherry blossom tree that grew from his love. The sun shining on it was obscured suddenly by large, fearsome insects with large eyes and gnawing teeth, perching on the tree and slowly devoured it. He heard the voice of Kira crying out to him, the tree oozing blood. He turned to see her stumbling towards him, blood beginning to drip down her whole body. The insects finished devouring the tree, and they all began to assemble into one large form, mechanical whirring, clanking, grinding could be heard. He gasped in horror, looking down to see that his beloved had been replaced by Vanessa, and she slowly rose, twitching inhumanly and her legs seemed to crack slowly like glass, oozing more blood. She stared at him, and the large, mechanical insect opened its jaws wide, clamping down on Vanessa and she crumbled into a pile of ashes. The sound of Kira screaming and a gunshot roused him from the nightmare, wiping sweat off of his brow as he jolted awake. He heard footsteps below and the sound of sniffling, hopping down with a thud to see Vanessa crumple to the ground, crying.
"Vanessa... what troubles you?" Ralph asked.
"Stupid boys... stupid, stupid boys!" She wailed. "That Gregory... dating Candace of all people... he was supposed to be my friend. How could he do this?"
Ralph frowned deeply, crouching down beside her. "I feared something bad would happen. I saw a bad omen in my slumber."
"A bad omen? What does that mean...?" Vanessa sniffled.
"It means we must keep training. You will do what you set out to do, and I will assist you. Vanessa, I am your friend. You will be happy again, I promise you that."
Vanessa got to her feet, wiping away her tears. "You're right. I have a race to practice for. I can't let anything distract me." She hopped down into the track, exhaling deeply.
"Are you ready?" Ralph asked.
She glanced back at him for a moment, a smile slowly forming as she returned her focus to the track. "I'm ready."
This was a bit of a longer chapter, and it's a lot to take in. Thing will only get more intense from here until the very end, so stick around and please leave lots of lovely reviews! Thanks again for reading! :D