Man-made Forest

CASSIE'S POV

The loud bell clangs heard all over the Junior and High School campuses' school grounds tell them that the last period of today's class has ended. Then, finally, it is time for her to go home. 

The students gather all their belongings and put them away inside their bags. Those assigned for the day's cleaning will be left behind... and those who have club activities and club members are enthusiasts to report and do their exercises.

As for Cassie, with the last name Young, the letter 'Y' scheduled to clean is Friday. On the other hand, Joanna's surname is Chang, so her cleaning schedule is every Monday.

"Cassie, I will wash your PE uniform tonight, so I can return them to you tomorrow!" Cassilde told her.

During the morning first period, Cassilde asked her to change her school uniform to Cassie's PE uniform. It's because she needed to practice Volleyball for their competition against St. Clair High School by Monday next week.

"Sure, no problem."

"Thanks, Cassie! Bye, Joanna!" Cassilde waves at them before she runs outside their school gate, and she will go for a jog on her way home.

Cassie and Joanna push their bikes out of the school, and they walk a few meters before they cross the main road. She and Joanna are going home in the opposite direction.

They chatted for a moment before they decided to part and went home. Cassie takes a long moment of silence, and Joanna notices it.

"What's wrong? You don't like to go home tonight? You can stay with us for a while if you like. Then, Dad can go to your house to tell your master!" Joanna gestures a thumbs up.

"No. It's not really bothering me about that," she shook her head. "I am just thinking..."

Cassie stares at Joanna's eyes before she looks away and lands her gaze on the mountain peak that is now colored golden orange after the sun kisses it.

"I want to look for my brother," she continued, which made Joanna dumbfounded.

"Are you certain about that, Cassie? How are you going to find him? You never meet him even once! You were just a baby back then," Joanna thinks it is impossible, like looking for a pin between a massive pile of haystacks.

"Maybe there are people who'll recognize him in the picture. But then, I have to think of plans on how and where I could start. I know it's crazy how it will be: neither if he's still alive out there or what," she said in a serious tone, then sighed.

Joanna also heaves a sigh. "You know, girl? He was already 14 years old when he had to leave. No way he'll forget you or this place if ever he's still alive. Okay, let's say maybe he got some amnesia. Could you really make him believe he is your long-lost brother? What will he be going to feel? His feelings about meeting you? Do you ever think he will get angry or something instead?" Joanna mentioned more possibilities that made her laugh.

"Now you're overthinking than me. I know I have to consider all the possibilities, and I should prepare myself for any outcomes," she said, full of hope inside her heart.

"Alright, fine. Why shouldn't you ask your Master's help? I heard he is mighty and wealthy. So it will be only a piece of cake for him to find someone. Right?" 

Cassie stares at Joanna's face. She's in despair. "I don't know. I have to think about it thoroughly. I think there is no way I would tell him about my plans, and maybe he'll interrupt me instead. Besides, we just met yesterday. Aren't we close, you know."

"Okay. Just don't decide anything foolish... without telling me! Definitely, I'll join you!" Joanna exclaimed, which made her giggle. "Now you're smiling! I am not used to your seriousness. I have to go. I need to prepare for our dinner tonight. Mom and Dad will be home late, and those four brothers of mine are surely in chaos now." Joanna rolled her eyes.

Cassie nodded and bid their goodbyes. Then, she rode her bike and pedaled slowly as she thought deeply.

"No. I shouldn't think of these things for now." She shook her head and breathed deeply. "Alright! I'll take the forest route."

Cassie takes the secluded road. She entered the forest and now pedals faster. She's already familiar with this track, so she let her bike speed up and pedal even quicker.

When she makes a right turn, she takes a narrower route. She jumped, flipped her bike on the next cliff, which was not so high, and managed to land successfully. She pedaled faster in the following route and did the same every time she passed a low ridge. Now, she's almost in the middle of the forest.

She's very familiar with this area, so she jumps effortlessly to the next one when she hears someone yelling, calling out her full name. 

Her eyes grew wider, realizing who it was. She let her eyes wander on his body. His face is red in anger, sweat dripping from his forehead, and his white T-shirt soaked. He probably just walked the villa toward the man-made forest. 

"Cassandra Marivella Chen Young!" he repeated. 

RIP to me.....