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...CASSANDRA...

It was almost midnight. A part of me was curious about this meeting but another part screamed at me to not go and stay in my room. But, although the reunion was undeniably suspicious, I would have to go. I could not disobey my aunt if I wanted to continue in this school. So I headed for the door. I sighed as I opened it, feeling the cold air outside. Everything was silent and dark and, if there was anyone outside heading towards the same place as me, they were being very discreet. I remembered I was to do the same. Not talk to anyone, remain silent. Almost like a ghost, I think to myself.

I slowly start walking, not really sure where. I leave the dorms, cross the training field and jump the fence that separates the school grounds and the forest. My aunt said I would recognise the place when I saw it but that didn’t help. I looked around but all I could see was darkness, there was not a single shadow or figure walking around. For an instant, I thought about turning around and going back to bed, but curiosity was guiding me. I kept walking and looking for some kind of hint when I saw a small light far ahead. It was small and almost unnoticeable. I had nothing to lose so I followed it.

As I got closer, I started hearing more unusual sounds, I could not figure out what they were exactly but they sounded like whispers. I was confused, scared and curious all at once. I thought I heard people but I saw no one. The little trace of light was a single candle burning on the floor, which, for a second, I imagined dropping to the floor and setting all these trees around me on fire. There were footprints on the muddy ground going deeper inside the forest. I hesitated for a minute before following them. I was sure this was what my aunt meant when she said I would just know but i was still reluctant.

I follow the path left by those footprints. The darkness got bigger but the sounds also got louder. Now I was sure they were whispers, even though I could not understand a word. Finally i saw a figure, although I wasn’t sure what it was. I got closer with my hands shaking. It was a person but I could not see who it was. Their body was covered by a black gown and there was a big hood hinding the mystery person’s face. They were in the middle of the track and, deducing by the light that came from behind the creepy being, I had to go through them. I closed my hand in a fist, ready for any type of action if necessary, but when I got close enough to see the details I realised they were simply holding another black gown. I looked at it confused, not sure what to do.

“Hi?” I said confused and in a low tone. No response. No movement. Nothing. I tried again. “Hello..?” There was a pause in time, at least for me, because nothing had happened. However, suddenly but calmly, the person gave me the gown. I grabbed it. It was soft and warm and as dark as theirs. Was I to wear it? “Am I supposed to wear this?” I ask but there is no response. Once again. I look at the person standing in front of me, searching for something that might make them stand out or recognise. I find nothing however. The black gown covers it all and, apart from some mud stains on the bottom, there was nothing I could use to distinguish this person.

They must have seen the confusion on my face because whoever there was behind that gown nodded at me, answering my question. I rushed to put the gown on and cover my face with the hood. “Thank you” I said, not expecting even a slight movement at this point. However the person started to move their hand up. Slowly.

They covered my mouth. “Shhh” I heard. A shiver went through my body as I felt their warn skin touch mine. I took a step back, shocked and little scared. The person stepped aside, leaving room for me to keep flowing the path, and then went back to their starting a creepy position. With a quick pace I walked past them, never looking back. I was sure they weren’t following me since I couldn’t hear anything behind me so I concentrate on what was ahead of me.

The path was iluminated once again by small candles. I followed them until I reached a large space full of people wearing the same black gown as me. There had to be at least fifty people there. All standing in a creepy way. Aligned by rows all looking to the same empty place. They were looking at something that seamed like an improvised stage, poorly built. I get closer fearful and stand next to someone on the last row. I feel their head turn to look at me but i do not there to look back to them.

Suddenly, from a far, i see five people entering the wanna be stage. They were different from us. Their gown were not black, they were the color of blood. Dark red. However, just like us. They all lined side to side watching us.

“Venite, venite milites! Hodie enim sol fulgebit!” It echoed around the empty large and weird room which its walls were only trees. I could not identify who had spoken but I deduced it would have to have been one of the five people standing there. It was Latin. I was sure of it since I have been learning this language since I was 9. Come, come warriors! Because today the sun will shine! It meant. “The war is getting closer and closer to us. The probability of losing is growing bigger. Now, we have decided to act too. Some of us reunited here will play an important part in a mission. It will be dangerous and it might last a long time. But do not worry, it is all been planed carefully.” Said the same person as before. I could not recognise the voice but it was surely a man.

“Tomorrow night, the chosen ones will receive a letter in their room with important rules and information. I want you to read it and then burn the letter. Memorize it all but do not write it anywhere else. We will know if you don’t do what it is said.” Said a man on the stage. Not the same man as before. No, the voice was diferent. “Do not talk about anyone about this matter and be sure that, if you do, there will be consequences.” He continued and a shiver went down my spine. “In two moons we will reunite here again. Until then, follow the unspoken rules. Vale! Deinde lunam videre!” He said.

“Vale!” The black gowned people yelled as the five left the stage. Once the small wooden platform was unoccupied they started leaving too, now very unorganised. I copied them and left between the trees. The path, where before was someone, was now empty and I had no problem getting back to the school grounds. While going back to my dorm, I overanalysed everything that had happened today, from the strange conversation with my aunt to the mystery reunion. I did not understand half of it but I decided I would try to get answers from my aunt tomorrow.

I jump over the fence again and cross the training field. It was still as dark and silent as before. I look around trying to find someone who might have left the same place as me but I see no one. It is all empty. I enter my room and close the door behind me. I take the gown off of my body and get ready to bed. I look at it as I try to fall to fall asleep, making a list mentally of all the questions I need to ask my aunt tomorrow.

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