3 CHAPTER 2: Growth

Soundtrack: "Storm" - https://youtu.be/PLfFWFZflQU

Years later...

"CRISTOPHEEEERRR!!! WHERE THE HECK ARE MY PINK SOCKS?!" a loud screech escapes from a certain room, reaching all the way outside the estate's backyard garden. The owner of the voice rushed to her bedroom's balcony, her hands gripped on the wooden railings as she screamed that question again, but this time, with more dread.

"I SAID WHERE. ARE. MY. PINK SOCKS CRISTOPHER?! WHERE ARE THEEEEYYY?!"

"Goodness gracious Vanessa, your voice is louder than 5 Vikings' war cries combined! And NO! I do not know where your pink socks are! How should I know? I am outside this whole time!" the said male screamed back to the female, but his voice could never defeat the girl's unbeatable volume level.

Vanessa glared down to Christopher's direction then grumpily growled to herself. "Then who took them? I perfectly remember placing them in the box under my bed for safe keeping", she huffed in frustration.

Unfortunately, the alarm clock had rung, informing the girl that it is now 9 in the evening. "Oh no! I'm late! Ugh this is so annoying! Gosh I have no choice, I'm gonna have to wear white socks tonight. Which I very much HATE!" Vanessa complained. But anger won't get her anywhere, so in the end, she wore white socks paired with her shiny black school shoes. Matched with a plain, black shirt waist dress but with a pink collar and a pink ribbon at the front.

She ran towards the library, slamming her bedroom door shut in the process. Christopher sighed at the noise the young female caused, before eventually returning to his current work.

When Vanessa finally stood in front of the library's gigantic doors, she panted for a while due to all the running. Shortly after, she placed her hand on the vintage lever handle and turned it to slowly push it open. But no matter how slow she pushes, it will never go unnoticed by the strict teacher for all of the manor's doors seem to have a habit of creaking when they're moved.

After she closed the doors, she rotated to head towards class. But it looks like Mr. William already had his cold gaze locked down to her. "You are late, Ms. Vanessa, although you don't do this often, I will still not tolerate tardiness". He scolds with a strict voice. "I'm sorry Mr. William... It's just that my pink socks got lost this evening..." She defended herself.

The older male sighed. "Excuses don't matter, late means late". The young lass knew that, accepting the fact that she'll never be let off the hook, she moved her arms upwards and her palms opened, facing the floor. She closed her eyes and pain greeted her hands. The teacher had hit her hands with a slightly thick and strong wooden stick thrice.

After their short disciplinary session, they both went to their usual seats in the library to begin class. The brunette listened attentively as she took down some notes from time to time.

"From our previous lesson, we discussed on the common traditional medicinal practices and the histories attached to them. So tonight we shall carry on to some of the common medicinal plants used for herbal healing..."

The older male continued with the lesson, Vanessa wrote down the important key points to make sure she fully grasps all of the information.

"Akapulko... Cassia alata... Used to treat tinea infections, insect bites, ringworm, eczema, scabies, and itchiness... Lagundi... Vitex negundo... Used for asthma and pharyngitis, rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, and diarrhea..." she muttered to herself as she reviewed the notes she took.

On with her feet, she exits the library and proceeds to the music room. But this time, she hurried no more. She already received her punishment for tardiness earlier, so there was no need to worry about that now. Besides, there's a 20-minute break between academics and music class. So instead of running, she walked on her way and enjoyed the present moment.

The hallways she currently passed on were dark and gloomy as usual, only the light of the ghostly moon illuminated her path. No other noise could be heard but the clacking of her polished school shoes, making it sound louder in the eerie silence.

She tilted her head to her right where the tall windows reside. The view outside consisted mostly of nature's abundance on the area. With the leaves of the swaying trees dancing in perfect harmony with the cold, nightly breeze, accompanied with the nocturnal fowls of the rich forest flying about in groups, while some prefer to enjoy their lives alone, like the echoing hoots of the owl.

As she took pleasure in admiring the scenery outside, she lost track of her movements and has not realized she has been walking with her head facing sideways for quite awhile now. Hence, losing the ability to maintain awareness on the path in front of her.

As a result, her eyes widened in shock before she realized what just happened. When she finally felt the pain in her bottom and conscious of her current position, that's when she knew and became mindful of her current situation. 'Seems like I bumped into someone and fell'. She thought.

She looked up and recognized the creature. "Oh it's just you Mr. Hudson", the female commented. A black, malnutritioned hand reached out to her. Vanessa understood the gesture and took it to help her stand up. His hand was freezing cold, just like all the others of the entire household that the young human has grown to get used to it.

"Thank you, and I'm sorry, I was being careless." she apologized, whilst the creature could only reply with an inaudible murmur. "Whoops! Music class starts soon! Gotta hurry now, see ya later Mr. Hudson!" she gave him no time to reply this time as she sprinted off to her destination, not wishing to be late twice in a row.

Luckily, she managed to arrive on time. Mr. William was already there standing beside the grand piano, waiting for her presence. Vanessa passed by the other instruments in the large room and directed to the small marble stage located at the center, where the huge piano laid.

After a brief review and discussion, she places her delicate fingers upon the selected keys. Supported by the spotlight above—the only activated light in the music room—she began to play a melodic and solemn song.

The sound resonates gracefully throughout the silent hallways. The notes blended and sang with each other in elegance and resplendence. It was indeed a piece that can extravagantly move hearts and encourage tears to fall from emotional eyes.

Meanwhile, somewhere in a dark, unlit space in the manor, unbeknownst to the student, a long, antique wooden table paired with six vintage chairs arrayed. And all those chairs were occupied. The sound of the playing piano can still be faintly heard from there, and they already know who the pianist was.