Beating down on the canopy, the sun was a blazing yellow. The air was thick with the scent of the damp earth, and the trees' branches reached out to touch the sky. Underneath, four kids walked along the trail...
A week after the fire, Hafen, Matteo, Stark, and Pepe finally headed to school. They wore clean, blue uniforms and carried new bags.
In the distance, the gentle rumble of the river and chirps could be heard. It was a constant reminder of the life that flowed through the forest. The path, carved by countless footsteps before, weaved through ancient trees that stood like silent sentinels.
"Who knew that we would get new uniforms," Matteo remarked, and he fiddled with the stiff collar of his shirt. "It's like wearing a new skin," he commented. He stretched his arms wide and hit Stark in the face.
"Watch it," Stark grumbled and swatted his brother's hand away. He adjusted the vest of his own uniform with a look of mild disdain. "These clothes are uncomfortable," he complained.
"At least we have clothes," Hafen muttered as a quiet reminder of their recent loss. He adjusted the strap of his bag, a simple canvas sack that felt heavy with the weight of their shared grief.
Pepe, trailing slightly behind, winced as he walked. His injuries had not fully healed, and each step sent a dull ache through his body. Yet, he kept pace. "The uniforms are a gift from Stribora. They want to ensure all children in the forest have access to education," he explained with a strained voice.
"Stribora," Matteo inquired, and his eyes widened in realization. He asked with a snap, "Is it the same Stribora that helped renovate The Orphanage?"
"The very same," Pepe affirmed, and he glanced ahead towards the school.
The path cleared, and the trees opened up to a massive field. In the distance, the new school rose from the forest floor. It was a massive, two-story building of polished wood. Its glass windows gleamed in the morning light, and a tall fence surrounded the perimeter. A large gate, manned by a single guard, stood as the only entrance. A large sign above the entrance read, "The Eastern District School."
Stark gasped. "Whoa," he blurted out.
"That's the school. My mom has been wanting to send everyone for a long time," Pepe elaborated with a smile.
Hafen's eyes widened slightly. "It's... bigger than I expected," he murmured lowly.
"It's bigger than The Orphanage," Stark noted and looked around.
Matteo, ever the energetic one, jogged ahead. His eyes sparkled. "Come on, slowpokes," he yelled over his shoulder. His feet kicked up small clouds of dust, and he exclaimed, "Let's see what school is like!"
The guard, a burly man with a scarred face and a sneer, stepped forward. He was someone the kids had met a while ago. It was Brad. His uniform, a contrast to the crisp blue of the students' uniforms, was gray. His brown, medium-length hair was slicked back. A heavy wooden club rested on his shoulder. "Halt," he demanded roughly. He held up a hand, and his eyes scanned the four of them. He stopped at Hafen, Stark, and Matteo, and a frown formed on his face. "You're the Fisher boys, aren't you?"
Stark's shoulders tensed. "What's it to you, Brad? Get out of the way," he retorted and downturned his mouth to a pout.
Brad's sneer widened into a cruel grin. "I heard about your parents," he taunted. With his tone laced with mockery, he muttered, "Burned to a crisp, I heard. Pity. They were strong. I'll give them that, but they were fools adopting you three."
Stark stopped dead in his tracks, and his face darkened. He clenched his fists at his sides and took a step forward. "What did you say," he growled through gritted teeth.
Hafen put a hand on his brother's shoulder as a plea for patience. "Don't, Stark. He's not worth it," he warned.
Matteo, who had been bouncing on the balls of his feet, stopped. He looked from Brad's smug face to Stark's, and his own expression hardened.
Pepe moved between them. He put a hand on Matteo's shoulder, and he gave a slight shake of his head. "That's enough. We're just here for school, Brad. Let us pass," he urged calmly.
Brad ignored him and focused on Stark. "What's the matter, kid? Can't handle the truth," he mocked.
Stark's knuckles turned white. He took a deep breath and fought to keep his anger in check. "You're just a bully," he pointed out.
Brad's laughter boomed across the clearing.
Hafen's eyes narrowed. "This time, we have a right to be here, Brad," he informed with a serious tone.
"A right? After what happened? You three are a liability," Brad scoffed and shifted his weight. He added, "Who knows what kind of trouble you'll bring. This school is for respectable children. It's not for delinquents." His gaze drifted over to Pepe. He looked him up and down, noticing the bandages peeking from under Pepe's sleeve. "And you. What happened to you? Got into another fight with a squirrel? You and your 'Protector of the Forest' nonsense," he teased and prodded Pepe's chest with the tip of his club.
Pepe stood firm, and his unwavering gaze became locked with Brad's.
Brad's smirk faltered for a moment. With a flicker of doubt in his eyes, he let out a short, dismissive laugh. "Fine. Pepe, go on then," he murmured, and he stepped aside.
"My brothers are coming in, too," Pepe sternly requested.
"That doesn't concern you, Pepe," Brad warned. His focus returned to the so-called delinquents and added, "I'm still talking to them."
Matteo stepped forward. His cheerful demeanor had vanished, and a look of cold determination replaced it. "We're not afraid of you," he declared and puffed up his chest.
Brad stared at the three of them. He glanced around for anybody else watching. Seeing none, he decided to assert some dominance. "We'll see about that. Come on, show me what you got," he challenged. With a grin, he leaned in close to Matteo and pushed his shoulder.
Stark's patience snapped. His demeanor from moments ago was shattered, and he took a swift step forward. With surprising strength, he caught Brad's wrist in mid-push. "Don't touch him," he ordered threateningly.
Brad's eyes widened in surprise. He tried to pull his arm back, but Stark's grip was unyielding. "Let go, you little brat," he demanded. He readied his club in his other hand.
Hafen watched. He weighed the consequences of a fight. The path to strength started now, but a brawl with the school guard on their first day was not the wisest move. "Stark, release him. Now," he commanded. His voice was calm, but it held an authority that made both Stark and Brad glance at him.
Stark hesitated for a second. He looked from Hafen's stern face to Brad's furious one. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he held back a retort. With a final, defiant glare at Brad, he released his grip.
Brad snatched his wrist back. He rubbed it and sneered, "Coward." He smacked Stark in the head with the club. The impact was more insulting than painful.
Stark kept his footing and grasped the club. He ripped it from Brad's hands and crushed it.
Matteo gasped.
Pepe sighed with an exhausted sound.
Brad froze. He stepped back in fear and gritted his teeth.
Stark threw the broken pieces of wood to the ground. "We're no longer toddlers. We're a lot stronger," he seethed.
The air crackled with tension.
Matteo, meanwhile, saw an opening while Brad was distracted. He zipped behind, snatched the gate keys from a hook on the fence, and scurried back to the group with a triumphant grin. "Are these the keys to inside," he whispered to Hafen and held them up like a trophy.
Hafen couldn't suppress a small, proud smile at Matteo's quick thinking. He turned to Brad, who was now fumbling for words. "We're going in whether you want us or not," he insisted. He walked past him.
Stark and Pepe followed suit.
Brad's face contorted in a mixture of rage and humiliation. His eyes darted between Stark destroying his club and Matteo dangling the keys. He slouched slightly, and a vein throbbed at his temple. "You little brats," he snarled in utter humiliation, but seeing the four of them standing together, he knew he was outmatched. "This isn't over," he declared and pointed a trembling finger at them.
Hafen, Stark, and Matteo have overcome the first obstacle of their grand adventure. What else awaits them on their first day of school?