Chapter 1 ~ Under the Leaf Rain (Revised)

19-year old Iris is a disciple of the ordinary, "rational" world. But when she meets Linden, a mysterious wounded stranger, both her mind and heart start to scream a new reality for her to believe.

“I can’t take it anymore!” I wring the script and hurl it with all my might to the ground. My heart and my mind just want to give up.

 

I have been rehearsing for more than two weeks and I still cannot master the dainty, I-am-so-heavenly character of Psyche, the Love God Eros’ bride in Greek Mythology. I am just not cut out for this role, and I would have totally broken down if it weren’t for the high stakes this play is betting with.

 

All students of Grand Lotus University welcome September every year like this --- the opening of a six-staged ruthless combat among the six colleges of our school to fight for the existence of their offices in the Hall of the Elite. Why ruthless, you say? All tricks are allowed. No restrictions to the cards to be played.

 

You see, only four can reside in the grand, ivory-pillared edifice of the university and benefit from various privileges, like VIP reservations to services which are only offered at a very limited number such as international conference seats, or time, like study-abroad scholarships which are absolutely free.

 

For eighteen consecutive years, the College of Sciences, where I belong as biology major, has retained its seat. September is termed as the Arts and Literature Fest which explains very clearly why I have to scour myself to be a fitting goddess. Losing in this stage is not an option.

 

I gaze back at the fifty-five paged piece Allison wholeheartedly wrote for us. Also known as The Nightingale, she is the major contender of our college in this category. She has been my classmate since first year, and my best friend. Only Allison has the talent when it comes to writing, and she scribbles her pen as splendid as those Edgar Allan Poe laureates.

 

Likewise because of her beautiful voice and grandiosity in playing the piano and violin, she currently plays as the solo singer of our University choir and its substitute pianist. Allison always takes me to every concert, forcing me to dress up like her. But I am just the exact opposite of who and what she is.

 

Lazily, I throw myself on the luscious, green grass under the shade of my favorite linden tree. This forest glade in the bordering Northern Forest has been our secret base, Allison’s and mine. We used to come here to study together and do amusing pastimes when she is not into rehearsals and recitals, or both. But right now, similar to those frequent times, I am alone thinking.

 

The white cirrus clouds sail high above the bright sky. Greens, whites, blues, and yellows of this lovely afternoon create a relaxing haze beyond me. This is exactly what I love about this place. I could think here undisturbed whenever I want.

 

Well, I guess that is my talent --- thinking. When I had finally chosen biology as my course, I have refused taking things off my thinking space. I have never let issues out of my head un-analyzed. Allison would always laugh when my brow furrows dig deeper in my forehead whenever I get really stressed out from an unresolved chemistry or calculus assignment.

 

“You know, you are not cute anymore…” She would mumble carelessly as my pen burns through the pages of my textbook. I usually get cranky.

 

“I don’t even care if I turn Godzilla right now! I have to get this right, and quick!”

 

Luckily, no romantic relationship has ever broken our friendship even once, and I am not looking forward to a chance. I love Allison with me and at least we keep each other as sisters. We both have no siblings, and have been through tough times being alone most of the time in our childhood. I only live now with my mother, ever since Dad never came back after an archaeological excavation during my junior year in high school.

 

But what I am saying is that, Allison is a totally different person and very special, too. Aside from having a complete family, compared to me, she is more sociable and cheerful. Everyone respects her for who she is and what she can do as a musical arts prodigy. I am just her local pessimist counterpart.

 

With a gloomier feeling now, I pull myself up and brush the dried leaves off my blouse and slacks. To be honest, I have memorized all the lines --- what goes wrong every time is my acting. I am such an emotionless mask. But Allison and the rest of the department would just not let me resign.

 

“It is the proper time to prove yourself that you are one of us.” They say.

 

“One of you, huh?” I gloat as I pick up the script and roll it in my fist.

 

For my three years of existence, I have never felt I belonged in the college. I struggle hard to be accepted, which Allison really disapproves.

 

“You are overexerting yourself. Just be yourself.” She tells me.

 

I understand her point, my situation, their influence and everything. It is just that I feel no internal stirrings inside my heart for them.

 

The wind blows to my face which seems to tell me to calm down. I take a deep breath and position my hands just like what my best friend instructed me during practice. Maybe, I could do this for her.

 

“I have come, my dearest, to the land you have wished me to be. Your affections are precious to me, but so is my longing to see you!” I swing my head dramatically as I conduct a searching gesture around the area. This is the part where Psyche wanted to see Cupid so badly after weeks of her arrival to the luxurious palace.

 

“Let me see your face, dearest, and gaze at your star-laden eyes!”

 

To act out the rising emotion, I toss the script to a nearby fallen log and stretch out my hands towards an invisible audience.

 

I breathe heavily and slowly drop to my knees for Psyche’s last line, skipping Rico’s parts as Eros. As I open my mouth to speak, my blood curdles as I hear a loud, painful moaning. The words freeze in my lips.

 

It is a human voice, probably a man’s, and it is very nearby. My eyes skip through the trunks surrounding the glade as I take a step closer to its source. My heart throbs in anxiousness as I lean on the smooth wood of my favorite linden, and then carefully, I throw my gaze behind it.

 

I gasp in horror. A young man about my age is helplessly lying on his stomach with a large gash on his right arm. His white long-sleeved shirt drowns into a crimson blanket as blood continuously rivers out his wound filling a small puddle beside him. My head starts spinning at the sight of him.

 

Panic is rising within me but I remain frozen in place. I have to do something. With one quick twist, I pinch my arm hard and my body jolts back to life. I tug my white ponytail ribbon out of my hair and uncoiled it into its original first aid bandage form.

 

My mother, as a doctor, always insists to carry my first aid equipment every time with me, and this technique is one of her suggestions. It is rather awkward for a girl in my age to be doing this, but she would always tease me that I might enchant a lonely injured stranger and get myself a boyfriend.

 

I shake off the crazy thoughts and put on my serious face as I carefully approach him and check for any head injuries and broken bones from the top down to his feet. Certain that I could move him without causing trouble, I slowly turn him over. He flutters his eyes open and moved his dry pale lips.

 

“You…please leave me behind. It is still here.” He is awake, just very weak. His skin feels clammy with cold sweat under my fingertips.

 

“Don’t move.” I try to ignore his curious plea. What is he trying to tell me?

 

He looks at me as I wear my latex gloves and cut his soiled shirt sleeve so that I can quickly inspect the wound. I swallow hard as I see a long and gaping swelling claw mark. It looks like a wide red smile. A strange idea hit me that they could not be from an ordinary animal. His flesh has been sliced very cleanly as if a butcher knife did it.

 

Shutting out any more weird speculations, I apply direct pressure on the gash with a folded piece of clean white cloth. The warmth of his blood penetrates my cool skin.

 

I throw him a quick glance to know if he is in pain. Most of my patients before start wailing when I do this. But my worry shatters as I see him smiling at me. My heart begins its own excited rhythm --- he is so strikingly beautiful, if it weren’t for his exhausted expression.

 

Now that I am very close to him, I could gaze at his features more intently. He has well-trimmed ebony hair, fair complexion, and moonless night eyes. His lips though pale because of his momentary loss of blood are thin and well-shaped. He is as handsome as the Love God Eros himself!

 

Suddenly, the flow of blood stops and I know that the bleeding has been controlled. He is safe. I snap back to reality and remove the cloth to begin cleaning and dressing his wound. All throughout he observes me, but I try not to show that I am getting uncomfortable.

 

“You are very much skilled. I am indebted to you.”

 

“Thank you, but it is a simple task really.” I reply as I pack my things back into the kit and stow the used materials away in a disposal bag.

 

Surely, I want to know about this young man, but I could not find the courage to do so. After all, I just came to his aid. So, I turn around and slide the pack to my shoulders. But still…I do want to know more especially about that warning he was about to say.

 

“Wait. Are you not going to ask questions?”

 

“Maybe…maybe not…You were asking me to go away a while ago, weren’t you?” I say as I look at him squarely at the face.

 

“Oh, that…I guess it was a reflex action. I do not want other people to get involved with my own mess.” He shifts painfully and tries to sit. I rush over and support his torso so he could pull himself up.

 

“Watch it. Sudden movements can make that wound bleed again.” I hear myself scold him.

 

The young man glances at me. He stares in a completely calm manner that I want to just look at him longer. “I apologize after what you have done for me.”

 

I feel my cheeks burn. “I must get you to the infirmary.”

 

Shifting my gaze to the faraway building, I notice three tall silhouettes watching us from the rooftop. My instinct sends me a chill. No one is allowed to go there, because it is on the sixth floor! Just thinking of it makes me nauseous. Heights never really thrill me.

 

As I turn my head to the stranger, I know that he is also looking at the direction where I saw the figures a cool, daring smile has spread across his face. It is as if those three had something to do with his injuries and implying that he succeeded staying alive. I shake my head hard --- I think I have been reading too much fantasy fiction. This cannot be it, can it? I mean we are normal after all.

 

“Miss?”

 

Hearing his voice makes me jerk. He is searching my eyes intently now. The smile has disappeared.

 

“Ah, yes. Let’s go.” I reply as I motion for him to stand with me, but he releases from my grip as he grabs a stable footing.

 

“No, you are leaving me here.”

 

“But you are hurt! How can I abandon you now?” My voice is rising and I am aware of it. Somehow, my just-a-job principle is being overridden by another feeling I am not familiar of. He cannot leave because he is injured and I am responsible, yes, but I know there is something else that is bothering me.

 

Now, I get so annoyed that he is not showing any distress in front of me. Instead, he shoots me with kind eyes as if persuading me to let go. Is irritation the other feeling because he was so weak a while ago and now he is acting so strong just to get rid of me? No, I can hear my inner voice whispering, that’s not it.

 

“I am Linden.” He says in a gentle tone. “I want you to know my name, at least since you have been so generous to me. Please, can I hear yours?” I do not know if my expression turns lighter but I reply.

 

“It’s…Iris Everdale.” I bow my head and stare at the innocent ground. This feels totally awkward.

 

“Listen to me, Miss Everdale. You have to forget about meeting me here.”

 

I feel my furrows growing on my forehead, my heart beginning to protest with furious pumping. I could feel my fists clenching and my teeth gritting in greater irritation. Why is he persistent in driving me away?

 

“What…what are you saying?”

 

“Knowing me will just get you hurt, or worse, killed. I would do everything to save you, but for now turn around and do not look back.” The glint in his eyes is now serious and almost deep. He is genuinely worried about something which I cannot make out. What is so dangerous about knowing him?

 

The wind blows between our silent space and the autumn leaves are carried in its graceful breath. Copper, red, and golden foliage begin to swirl around in a peaceful dance. Somehow, I feel so lonely and full of longing, as if being in his presence gives me a very melancholic sensation deep within, calling, yearning for response.

 

I hate look up. If he has to leave, then he must without hearing me say anything, and I am not making my eyes follow his distant shadow disappearing in the trees. It feels so stupid being so attached about a stranger!

 

Just then, I hear a shuffling of leaves approaching me. I make out what is happening when I see a pair of black leather shoes on the ground I am staring at. He has come closer.

 

“Iris, I am really thankful that you have saved my life. But take my words and believe me, please.”

 

Slowly, I pull my head up and face him. I do not know how much time has passed, but I could see the lovely setting sun spilling its vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow across the twilight sky, its warmth radiating through Linden’s body to me.

 

“I am really grateful that you have come to trust me. But before you leave, I am going to give you a gift.” A soft smile curls on his lips.

 

“A gift?”

 

“Yes, but please close your eyes.”

 

He is not carrying anything. What could it be? I don’t know what to expect and mind finally gives up speculating. I just want this final moments extend as much as they can. I pull my lids down and everything turns to shadows dancing in the pale light penetrating my skin.

 

Gently, I feel his hand on the back of my head and a warm breath brushing through my face. Then, I sense a soft flutter on the middle of my forehead. As if touched by hot iron, I jerk my eyes open and step back a little.

 

“Y…you! What do you think you are you doing?” My cheeks are burning and chest tightens. I am glad that the strong hues of the sunset cover my face.

 

Linden gives me the same heart-melting smile…so peaceful and handsome. Then, he lets his hand slip through my hair and comb it caressingly to my right shoulder.

 

“You are beautiful, do you know that?” He whispers.

 

This is not funny anymore. I am now feeling very weak and shaky deep inside, and I want to stab my thrilled heart to stop its excited pumping. My mind is screaming things to me like stranger-danger, but they all seem trivial to me. The sensation is very blissful but a part of me sees it as poison. I frown at him.

 

“I’m not beautiful! Stop making fun of me!” I grip my booklet of Allison’s script as I turn around towards the building. Shadows are engulfing more of the forest and the cicadas are starting to chirp. It must be nearing night now.

 

“I am not.” He replies.

 

“Whatever! I am going home! Straight home!” I say loudly trying to drown the lenient tone of his voice as my feet start pacing away from him behind my back.

 

“Miss Everdale…”

 

“What now?”

 

But what appears before me is really worth turning around for. My spine tingles in cold shiver as I glue my eyes on him. If this is magic, I know I could at least find the illusion but nothing happens after I have blinked so many times.

 

Linden is dressed like a foreign king. He now wears blue silk robes flowing down to his ankles just covering his brown leather boots, a thin silver, vine-like belt that twines around his waist, a gold crown on his head that shimmers with the remaining strain of the sun. However, what catches my full attention is the gold crest that ties his azure cape at the center of his chest. Three purple irises are embossed.

 

Somehow, I remember a lesson in history class talking about that symbol, but I cannot clearly recall with my overworked mind.

 

He bows before me, shining in all elegance, and throws me a cool gaze. It has been five minutes and none has changed back to normal. This time, I am scared. Is he a ghost or something more cursed?

 

I find my feet running the following second later, back to the ordinary world. My eyes are straining to see through the dark forest as fireflies begin to dance before me. I have to return quickly.

 

Sweat trickles on my forehead. I could feel sharp twigs cutting me on my legs and arms but I do not care. What I want is to make sure that I have safely made it back to civilization, where people do not transform from students to kings.

 

An exhausted sigh escapes from my complaining lungs and I practically let myself fall on the grass just beside the concrete of the College of Sciences, as if heavy sacks fell on top of my body. The surroundings are getting hazier each passing second. My head already has too much to take and it feels like it is going to split into two. I let my eyes close.

 

Ж                                Ж                                Ж

 

 “Wake up, Iris! Tell me what happened! Iris!” A soft, gentle tone called to me. I know, it is Allison’s voice.

 

I could feel hurried stirrings inside the room. Maybe from the whole cast coming here. I really want to hug-attack my best friend for bringing the whole population inside. Where am I anyway?

 

I flutter my eyes open. Allison’s face welcomes me --- I am at the infirmary. I could not hide the fear and surprise in my eyes.

 

“Iris! What is the matter with you? You like you have seen a ghost!” Allison’s long brunette curls cascade to my arms as she leans closer to my face. “Iris, answer me!”

 

I stare at the room speechless. I was so sure that there are a lot of people a while ago. A chill sweeps over me. I embrace Allison partly suffocating her. My hands are trembling.

 

“Would you please fill me in? If you don’t talk right now, Iris Suzanne Everdale, I am going to call Dr. Emma.” She says with slight threatening. Her beautiful starlit eyes are burning with desperation.

 

I suddenly feel myself sinking. This is what I am afraid of when it comes to Allison’s temper. She sure is gentle and lovely like a princess, but she is a real demon when she does not get what she wants from me, especially information about myself.

 

Then, there she goes like every other story where she is the winner --- she goes off telling my mom with her perfectly fabricated stories which end me up grounded, with her! Creepy, isn’t she? I used to insist that it does not mean she is older than me that she has to be this overprotective. But I always sigh in defeat.

 

I tell her about the outlandish experience I had. Allison listens carefully as I stress the details about the man I met. She looks like she is in deep thought as I am, especially when I mention about us wearing strange traditional clothes from Azyrgia. She does not speak at the length of my story. I see her eyes turn into slits. I have the strange feeling that I am not supposed to know these things.

 

“So…how did you find me?” I manage to ask to break her solitude.

 

“When I came here about an hour ago, you are already lying here, completely tucked in. I was so worried about you when I was called by the nurse through public intercom.”

 

“Then, who notified the nurse?” I reply in hesitation.

 

“It is quite odd as I recall it. She doesn’t remember. Strangely, she knows she has to notify me.” A slight nervousness wafts from Allison’s voice. I mean, it really is something curious, beyond that scary.

 

“That’s it! You are going to school and come back at Lily Street in my car. No buts or I’m alrights.” She says as she flips her curls away from her face.

 

“And you stay close to me.”

 

I feel my cheeks burning. “You are worse than my mom! I…can’t believe you are doing this to me, Allison!” I exclaim as she raises her brow. It is a sign for me to agree, do or die. My head becomes dizzy again. I have the ultimate best friend in the world. I resign and nod at her.

 

She smiles sweetly now. Really creepy.

 

We both gaze through the bedside window. As it sinks below the horizon, the sun is spilling vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange across the indigo sky with scattered gray wisps of clouds.  I get out of bed and wear my school shoes. The night is about to close in.

 

“Better come with me. I already managed to finish the stage and the second-to-the-last rehearsal. You have to be in the last practice next week.” I know she has been doing her best to cover up for me when I am absent.

 

“I will, don’t worry. And you can stop acting so angry…freaks me out.” I totally forgot about the practice!

 

“A man kisses my best friend, whom I did not have the chance of meeting --- then you expect me to calm down? Are you asking for a miracle?” A typical Allison sarcasm, I thought. If only people knew about her fierce attitude, all of her suitors would go hasta la vista. But unfortunately, she only does this to me. I sigh.

 

“Okay, okay. Now, let us head home.”

 

“Is Auntie going home tonight?” She asks as she helps me wear my bag and hands me out the script.

 

I throw her a sad look, but I try to smile. “No, not yet. Maybe next week.”

 

Allison’s eyes sparkled. “Sleepover.”

 

“Oh, no. I have tons of work to do and I do not need an entire night talking about that man.” I say as I cast a pissed off look at her. I swallow hard as I saw her menacing eyes dart towards mine. However, this time I mean it.

 

“You cannot make me, Allison Jane Lakes!” I shout as I dash out of the door. Allison follows her steps faster now.

 

“You come back here, Iris! Iris!”

 

Little did I know, three young men, together with the mysterious man I have just met are watching at this very moment, deciding how to explain everything starting from introducing themselves to me. I never knew I have been a refuge of the greatest responsibility from my real home --- in Azyrgia.

 

Reviews

[SnakeEaterCorpo]

So far for chapter one I really have enjoyed it:) I love your dialog and especially the detailing of your characters, keep the good writing cannot wait for chapter :) keep up the good work oh and I would appreciate it if you could check out one of my stories and leave a rating with a comment once you get the chance. Thank you so much and great job:)

[Endeavor]

Thank you for your kind words. :)